Charging an electric carGetty The Canadian federal government April 17 released details regarding the incentives it plans to roll out to buyers of zero-emissions vehicles across the country. The incentives, worth either $2,500 and $5,000 depending on the vehicle’s range, will be drawn from a pool of $300 million over three years, Transport Canada said in a release, and apply to a list of new vehicles purchased or leased on or after May 1, 2019. The release also listed new zero-emissions vehicle sales targets for the country of 10 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2025; 30 percent by 2030; and 100 percent by 2040. To be eligible for incentives, a vehicle must have a base-model manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $45,000 for passenger vehicles with six or fewer seats, and less than $55,000 for vehicles with seven or more seats, the ministry explained. For eligible vehicles with six or fewer seats, higher-priced versions (trims) are eligible as long as the final manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $55,000 or less, and for vehicles with seven or more seats, trims with a price up to $60,000 will qualify. Vehicles can still qualify even if delivery, freight and other fees, such as vehicle colour and add-on accessories push the sale price above those limits. That added window makes eligible many more vehicles than critics first assumed when the $45,000-MSRP threshold was first announced. The rebate will be $5,000 for battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or longer range plug-in hybrid vehicles with a range of 50 km or better per single charge; and $2,500 for shorter-range plug-in hybrid vehicles with a range under that distance. The list of eligible vehicles currently includes some 27 models and trims, including the Audi A3 e-tron; Chevrolet Bolt and Volt; Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid; Ford Fusion Energi and Focus Electric; Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid; Hyundai Ioniq, Kona and Sonata EVs and hybrids; Kia Niro, Optima and Soul EVs and hybrids; Mini Cooper Countryman plug-in hybrid; Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV; Nissan Leaf Plus; Toyota Prius Prime; VW e-Golf; and smart fortwo. “We are working with Canadians across the country to support practical and affordable solutions to fight climate change, Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was quoted. The transportation sector is key to Canada’s economy—but it also accounts for a quarter of our emissions. Making sure Canadians have access to options to get where they need to go in a cleaner, cheaper, faster way will protect our environment and grow our economy.” The new federal program will also fund continued expansion of electric vehicle charging stations. The incentive program was rolled out as part of Budget 2019, and is still subject to Parliamentary
Origin: Canadian gov’t outlines EV incentive details, list of 27 eligible models and trims