EV sales surge in B.C., putting province on track for emission reductions

VICTORIA — Electric vehicles are selling in record numbers in British Columbia.

The provincial government said in its 2020 Zero-Emissions Vehicle Update that as of Dec. 30, 2020, more than 54,000 light-duty electric vehicles were registered in the province.

The report, released Tuesday, tracks B.C.'s progress for its zero-emission vehicle targets and the province is on track to exceed the 2025 targets with light-duty electric vehicle sales representing 9.4 per cent of all such vehicle sales last year.

Energy Minister Bruce Ralston says that's the highest reported uptake rate of electric vehicles in North America, making the province a leader in the industry.

B.C. has one of the largest public charging networks and the first cluster of public hydrogen fuelling stations in Canada.

The CleanBC EV Charger Rebate Program was created to help with the upfront costs that come with EVs. Homeowners can get up to a $350 (temporarily increased to $700) CleanBC rebate to install a Level 2 charging station in a single-family home. A rebate worth up to $2,000 (temporarily increased to $4,000) is available for the installation of a Level 2 charging station designed for multiple users in condominiums, apartments and workplaces. Up to five hours of free support services from an EV charging station advisor are also available for condominiums, apartments and workplaces seeking to address their EV charging needs.

Rebate amounts were temporarily increased to align with the Province’s StrongerBC economic recovery plan to help B.C. businesses and organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19.

The report says residents are also adopting electric technology in less traditional ways, including motorcycles and cargo e-bikes, spurred by a vehicle incentive program.

The Zero-Emission Vehicles Act requires vehicle makers to meet increasing annual levels of electric vehicle sales of 10 per cent by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040.