British Columbia has paused its Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program, which offered income-based rebates ranging from CAD $500 to $4,000 for the purchase or lease of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The programme was officially suspended on May 15, 2025, as the provincial government begins a review to determine the future of the incentive scheme.
The rebate programme had been structured around household income and vehicle type. Residents earning up to CAD $80,000 were eligible for the full $4,000 rebate for battery-electric or long-range plug-in hybrids, and up to $2,000 for short-range hybrids with an electric range under 85 kilometres. Those earning between $80,000 and $100,000 qualified for partial rebates between $500 and $2,000, while individuals with annual incomes over $100,000 were not eligible. Qualifying vehicles were also subject to MSRP limits—$50,000 for standard cars and up to $70,000 for larger models.
The government allowed applicants to qualify for the rebate up until the evening of May 15, requiring either pre-approval by 6 p.m. or leasing of an eligible vehicle by 11:59 p.m. The province also terminated the sales tax exemption for used ZEVs earlier than planned, and removed eligibility for Tesla vehicles, a move attributed more to political considerations than economic factors.
“During this time of economic instability, the province is reviewing programs to ensure that they best meet the needs of people in B.C.,” the B.C. government said in a statement. “The province is committed to working with automakers and dealers to determine the best ways to continue supporting ZEV adoption in B.C.”
However, the move has drawn criticism from industry leaders. David Adams, president and CEO of Global Automakers of Canada, voiced concern: “British Columbia’s ZEV mandate has some of the most aggressive targets anywhere in the world and the government has now made it even more difficult for automakers to meet those targets. We need the province to suspend its current mandate, and work with automakers to provide B.C. consumers and automakers relief in this challenging affordability environment, while still working towards our shared climate goals.”
Since launching the rebate initiative, British Columbia has invested more than $650 million into EV incentives, helping increase the number of ZEVs on the road from 5,000 in 2016 to nearly 197,000 today. Charging infrastructure has also expanded significantly—from 781 stations in 2016 to over 7,000 currently in operation.