B.C.’s 2021 Budget Increases EV Funding

British Columbia tabled its 2021 budget on Tuesday, and new investments bring the total funding for CleanBC to nearly $2.2 billion over five years.

The province announced $130 million for zero-emission vehicle incentives, electric charging stations, technological development and electrification of school buses, ferries and government fleets.

This includes:

  • $94 million in Go Electric program rebates for purchases of zero-emission vehicles, charging stations and supporting the commercialization of heavy-duty vehicles.
  • $18 million for active transportation infrastructure like bike lanes, sidewalks and multi-use pathways.
  • A PST exemption on electric bikes to encourage more active transportation that will save British Columbians an estimated $7 million annually.
  • $10 million to further develop policy on reducing the carbon intensity of fuel and developing the hydrogen economy in B.C.

Go Electric allows a customer to save as much as $8,000 when purchasing a zero-emission vehicle in B.C., depending on the make and model.

“This program directly supports B.C. in meeting its 2025 mandate to have at least 10 per cent of new light-duty vehicles sold in B.C. be zero emissions vehicles,” the budget reads. 

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

ElectricB.C. Reports Record Numbers of EV Sales
British Columbia had 54,469 registered electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles at the end of 2020, and sales continue to increase at a rapid pace in 2021. “With the highest reported uptake rates of EVs in North America, B.C. is quickly becoming a leader in the EV industry,” said Bruce Ralston, …
New Models2022 Mazda MX-30 Set to Launch in Quebec, B.C. This Fall
As promised, the all-new, all-electric Mazda MX-30 will go on sale in Canada later this year, more specifically in the fall. It will initially be available at dealerships in Quebec and British Columbia only. About the same size as the CX-30 , this small SUV kicks off Mazda’s electrification efforts …
NewsNew Tax on Luxury Cars to Come Into Effect in Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely hit the Canadian economy and burned a massive hole in the federal government’s pockets. In order to pay off some of its historically high debt, several key measures were included in the 2021 Budget announced on Monday. And one of them will not please luxury …
NewsSaskatchewan Announces New Tax for EV Owners
The Government of Saskatchewan last week announced a new $150 annual fee for electric vehicle owners that will go into effect October 1, 2021. It is described as an effort to recoup fuel tax money from residents who drive fully electric vehicles. “These vehicles contribute to wear and tear on …
NewsNew Brunswick Launches EV Incentive Program With up to $5,000
New Brunswick is the latest Canadian province to launch its own electric vehicle incentive program, following British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. People who purchase or lease new qualifying battery electric vehicles (BEV) and long-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may receive up to $5,000. Those who …
ElectricUsed Battery-Electric Cars Now PST Exempt in B.C.
Thanks to Provincial Sales Tax (PST) cuts announced in British Columbia’s 2022 budget, the tax will no longer be collected from residents who purchase a pre-owned battery-electric vehicle. This exemption started on February 23, 2022 and will be valid for a period of five years, until February 22, 2027. To …
ElectricB.C. Raises EV Rebate up to $4,000
The number of electric vehicles on the roads of British Columbia has substantially increased in recent years, going from 5,000 registered EVs in 2016 to more than 85,000 today. Most of the credit goes to the CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate program, which has helped more than 54,000 people in …