Since 2011 the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA), has administered the Clean Energy Vehicle for BC (CEVforBC™) Point of Sale Incentive Program on behalf of the Province of BC.
As the President and CEO of the NCDA, I’m very proud of our role in assisting consumers in accessing the important incentives available under the program. Since the program started, we have facilitated the payment of over $15.6 million to BC residents who have purchased a qualifying electric vehicle under the program.
Under the CEVforBC™ program B.C. residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and local government organizations who purchase or lease qualifying new vehicles, are eligible for up to $5,000 off the pre-tax sticker price for qualifying new battery electric, fuel-cell electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and up to $6,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
CEVforBC™ encourages the adoption of new, clean energy vehicles. Many of the vehicles that qualify for CEVforBC™ were on display at the 2017 Vancouver International Auto Show and were available for test drives at the CEVforBC™ Electric Vehicle Experience Test Drive. In fact, a new record for test drives was set at the show with 1,246 (27% more than in 2016) show-goers experienced driving an electric vehicle.
The CEVforBC™ program, along with a new electric vehicle (EV) program from SCRAP-IT BC providing up to $6,000, will go a long way in providing British Columbians with more choices to purchase clean energy vehicles. EV purchasers are able to stack each incentive to potentially save up to $11,000, and $12,000 on a hydrogen vehicle. What a terrific way to encourage British Columbians to take advantage of new technology and reduce their impact on the environment.
In these times of heightened sensitivity to government programs, it is important to note that the New Car Dealers Association of BC is a fully audited, not-for-profit organization, and we fulfil the administration of this program on a strict cost-recovery basis, making it highly effective for government, dealers and consumers. As the organization with daily contact with BC’s almost 400 new car dealers, the NCDA is able to be cost efficient and efficient in administering the program, ultimately creating a way for consumers to access the funds directly at the point of sale rather than through a mail-in or other more onerous rebate system. It is truly a privilege and honour for our small, dedicated team to serve the citizens of BC by providing this important environmental program and I encourage everyone to take an EV for a test drive. You might be surprised how fun they are to drive. Visit www.cevforbc.ca for all the details.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
