In a province where affordability pressures continue to shape how people live, work, and travel, the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) says Budget 2026 falls short of the level of response required to meaningfully address transportation affordability, EV adoption, and workforce readiness.
While acknowledging the fiscal constraints facing government, the Association says incremental measures will not deliver the outcomes British Columbians expect or need.
“Affordability is the dominant issue facing vehicle buyers in British Columbia,” said Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the NCDA. “If government wants to accelerate the transition to cleaner vehicles, it must do so in a way that reflects how people actually live – and that requires far stronger commitments to infrastructure, skills, and cost containment.”
The NCDA welcomed recent steps to align British Columbia’s zero-emission vehicle framework with federal policy, noting that alignment improves clarity and predictability for consumers and the automotive sector. However, the Association cautioned that policy alignment alone will not sustain EV adoption or improve affordability without significantly expanded investment in charging infrastructure – particularly outside major urban centers – alongside a parallel commitment to skills training.
While Budget 2026 includes funding for charging infrastructure, the NCDA says the level of investment outlined falls well short of what is required to support widespread, practical EV ownership across British Columbia.
The Association also emphasized that investments in skills development are equally critical to successful EV adoption and the sector as a whole. Shortages of technicians trained to service modern vehicles – including EVs – are already placing upward pressure on ownership and maintenance costs, underscoring the need for a more ambitious, province-wide approach to workforce development.
The NCDA says the stakes extend well beyond the automotive sector. New car and truck dealers represent more than $17 billion in economic activity and support approximately 30,000 jobs in communities across British Columbia. Policies that fail to keep pace with infrastructure and workforce realities ultimately affect consumers, local employers, and the broader provincial economy.
“EV adoption depends on confidence – not just at the point of sale, but throughout the ownership experience,” said Qualey. “That confidence depends on having trained professionals in communities across the province. Skills development requires the same level of urgency and investment as charging infrastructure.”
The NCDA is urging the provincial government to work with industry and post-secondary institutions to substantially expand EV-specific training programs, accelerate upskilling for existing technicians, and ensure workforce investments keep pace with policy ambition.
The Association also reiterated its concern that Budget 2026 does not address British Columbia’s outdated luxury vehicle tax threshold, which continues to add costs to many everyday vehicles. The current $55,000 threshold no longer reflects today’s market, where the average price of a new vehicle now exceeds $66,000 due largely to safety, emissions, and technology requirements – not luxury features.
“This has effectively become a tax on modern vehicles, not luxury ones,” said Qualey. “If affordability is truly the test, this policy needs to be revisited.”
The NCDA says Budget 2026 highlights the importance of continued collaboration between government and BC’s New Car Dealers – and the need to align policy ambition with the infrastructure and workforce investments required to make it work.
