The CEV for BC program offers an instant $5000 rebate off the price of a leaf and Live-Smart BC is offering $500 towards a home charger.
The idea is to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles in the province but aside from these small rebates, there are no other incentives to drive a "green" vehicle here. I would love to replace my 2002 civic with a Leaf but the cash rebate simply is not enough in my opinion.
If the provincial government wants to get serious about true EV adoption, here is what I would suggest:
- Do NOT increase the rebates. While the cash rebates are nice for the EV buyers, it's just another sticking point for tax payers subsidizing services they don't use.
- DC quick chargers along major routes. (Sea to Sky, Coquihalla etc).
- HOV lane stickers. Allow full access to HOV lanes with an EV. This is a no brainer and it costs the provincial government virtually nothing. Why this isn't already in effect is beyond me...
- Free use of toll bridges. (Golden Ears, New Port Mann, etc)
- Cheaper insurance rates from ICBC.
what do you guys think? Perhaps we should compile some more ideas to send to the ministries of environment and transportation.
The idea is to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles in the province but aside from these small rebates, there are no other incentives to drive a "green" vehicle here. I would love to replace my 2002 civic with a Leaf but the cash rebate simply is not enough in my opinion.
If the provincial government wants to get serious about true EV adoption, here is what I would suggest:
- Do NOT increase the rebates. While the cash rebates are nice for the EV buyers, it's just another sticking point for tax payers subsidizing services they don't use.
- DC quick chargers along major routes. (Sea to Sky, Coquihalla etc).
- HOV lane stickers. Allow full access to HOV lanes with an EV. This is a no brainer and it costs the provincial government virtually nothing. Why this isn't already in effect is beyond me...
- Free use of toll bridges. (Golden Ears, New Port Mann, etc)
- Cheaper insurance rates from ICBC.
what do you guys think? Perhaps we should compile some more ideas to send to the ministries of environment and transportation.