Electric Vehicle Sales in B.C. Appear to Have Plateaued
The British Columbia government has paused its CleanBC Go Electric rebate program for electric vehicles (EVs), citing economic instability and the need to review the program’s effectiveness. The decision comes as EV sales in the province have shown signs of plateauing, with the percentage of new light vehicles that are electric dropping slightly to 22.4% in 2024 from 22.7% in 2023.
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 challenging for car dealers to meet the government’s ambitious targets for EV sales. The province requires 26% of all light vehicles sold to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2026 and 90% by 2030, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
The CleanBC Go Electric rebate program provided consumers with incomes under $100,000 with rebates of between $1,000 and $4,000 for purchasing an EV and between $500 and $2,000 for plug-in hybrids. Buyers who can finalize their purchase or lease by May 15 will still be eligible for the rebate.
Qualey emphasized that the adoption of EVs is supported by three key pillars: bridging the price gap between traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs, ensuring a robust charging infrastructure, and educating consumers about the benefits of EVs. While the number of charging stations in B.C. has grown significantly to over 7,000, the pause in rebates could hinder further adoption.
The latest data from the provincial report indicates that there were 44,656 new EVs registered in 2024, representing 22.4% of all new light vehicle registrations. The overall number of light-duty EVs registered in B.C. has reached almost 195,000, a significant increase from 5,000 in 2016. However, the slight dip in EV sales in 2024 has raised concerns about the future growth of the EV market in the province.
Qualey warned that without rebates and with impending tariffs potentially driving up car prices, meeting the government’s EV sales targets will be impossible. This could lead to car manufacturers reducing the supply of internal combustion engine vehicles to B.C., potentially driving up prices for both new and used cars.
The pause in the rebate program is part of a broader review of provincial programs during the current economic instability. The government has assured that the review will help ensure that programs are meeting the needs of British Columbians.
