The “carrot” has been taken away, while the “stick” remains firmly in place
September 4, 2025
Langley, BC – As International EV Day approaches (September 9th), the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) is warning that British Columbia’s hard-won leadership in electric vehicle (EV) adoption is slipping away, as sales tumble following the pause of the province’s flagship CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate Program.
According to S&P Global Mobility, EV sales in BC fell to 15.4% as of June 2025, down sharply from nearly 25% in mid-2024. The decline comes just months after rebates were suspended for review.
“The ‘carrot’ of rebates has been taken away, while the ‘stick’ of mandates and penalties remains firmly in place,” said Blair Qualey, President & CEO of the NCDA. “This is not a recipe for success. Without immediate action, BC risks stalling all of the momentum it worked so hard to establish.”
Since 2014, more than 109,000 rebates have been processed in BC, including a record 25,000 in 2024 alone. The program helped transform EVs from niche to mainstream, built consumer confidence, modernized dealerships, and established BC as Canada’s per-capita leader in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption.
Yet while rebates remain paused, BC’s ZEV Mandate Law has not changed. Automakers are still required to ensure 26% of 2026 model year sales and 90% of 2030 sales are zero-emission, with penalties of $20,000 per vehicle for failing to meet targets. Some manufacturers have already begun restricting gas-powered vehicle allocations to BC, reducing consumer choice and inflating prices for both new and used vehicles.
“Dealers and automakers are bound by aggressive sales quotas while consumer demand weakens,” Qualey added. “We’re urging government to restore incentives, align mandates with market realities, and keep EVs affordable for British Columbians.”
On International EV Day, the NCDA is calling for:
- Immediate reinstatement of EV rebates to restore affordability.
- Recalibration of ZEV mandates to reflect real-world demand.
- Ongoing investment in charging networks and education to maintain consumer confidence.
“Fifteen years ago, government, industry, and consumers dared to imagine a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system,” said Qualey. “That vision became reality. Now we must choose again: restore balance, restore rebates, and keep charging ahead.”
About the NCDA: The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) represents over 400 new car and truck dealers throughout British Columbia who provide 30,000 family supporting jobs and are responsible for close to $17 billion in retail sales in the province. The Association speaks on behalf of the retail automotive industry and advocates on legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating to vehicle sales in British Columbia.
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Contact:
Kelly Gleeson
