The British Columbia government has paused its CleanBC Go Electric rebate program for electric vehicles (EVs), citing economic instability as the reason. The decision comes as EV sales in the province appear to have plateaued, according to the latest provincial report released on April 29, 2025. The report showed that while 22.4% of new light vehicles sold in 2024 were EVs, this represents a slight decrease from 22.7% in 2023, marking the first dip since the government began tracking EV sales in 2015.
The CleanBC Go Electric program provided rebates of between $1,000 and $4,000 for EVs and $500 to $2,000 for plug-in hybrids for buyers with incomes under $100,000. Although buyers can still qualify for the rebate if they purchase or lease by May 15, the pause has raised concerns among car dealers and industry experts.
Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. (NCDA), expressed concerns that pausing the rebate program will make it impossible for car dealers to meet government-mandated targets for EV sales. Qualey emphasized that price remains a significant factor for consumers considering EVs, and the rebate has been crucial in bridging the price gap between EVs and traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
The NCDA has administered the rebate program for the province and noted that previous lapses in funding led to dramatic declines in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales. Qualey stressed that maintaining the rebate is essential for continuing to promote EV adoption, alongside developing robust charging infrastructure and educating consumers about EVs.
Provincial EV Sales Trends
B.C. has been a leader in EV adoption in North America, with the number of light-duty EVs registered in the province growing from 0.8% of total vehicle sales in 2015 to 22.4% in 2024. The province’s latest report indicates that almost 195,000 light-duty EVs are now registered in B.C., compared to just 5,000 in 2016. However, the slight dip in EV sales percentage in 2024 suggests a potential plateauing of growth.
Industry Implications
The pause in rebates, combined with the federal government’s shutdown of its $5,000 EV rebate program and impending tariffs that could drive up car prices, poses significant challenges for the industry. Provincial policy requires 26% of all light vehicles sold to be ZEVs by 2026, escalating to 90% by 2030. Automakers face penalties of $20,000 per vehicle for failing to meet these targets.
Qualey warned that without rebates, and with increasing costs due to tariffs, car manufacturers might limit the supply of internal combustion engine vehicles to B.C., potentially driving up prices for both new and used cars. This scenario could mirror the price increases seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when vehicle-related prices surged.
The future of EV adoption in B.C. now hangs in the balance as the government reviews its rebate program, a critical component in the province’s strategy to promote electric vehicles and reduce emissions.
