Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Retail
May 22, 2019 08:55 AM

B.C. dealers scramble for EV supply in wake of new federal rebate

Perry Lefko
Dan Heyman
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    General Motors

    One B.C. dealer had nine Bolt or Volt sales scheduled in the first few days after the new federal rebate kicked in.

    While Ottawa is touting its incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program as a way to make EVs more affordable, some dealers in British Columbia, which also offers rebates, can’t keep up with demand.

    “It’s huge,” said James Hartley, sales manager at Morrey Nissan in Burnaby. “Every second customer wants to test-drive a Leaf. As of May 1st or just before that, people were coming in.” 

    Marsaud Didier, a spokesman for Nissan Canada, said the automaker had noticed a spike in sales since Ottawa announced in March iZEV incentives of up to $5,000, which took effect May 1.

    “Dealers are currently in need of more inventory, which is normal when a new effective incentive is being launched without any advance notice,” Didier wrote in an email.

    “As we did last year to address the pickup of demand in Ontario just before the [EV incentive] program was canceled, we are working extremely hard to maximize our production to suffice our demand. Last year we reached 60-day supply, which is the standard day supply for any vehicle.”

    British Columbia and Quebec offer EV rebates of up to $5,000 and $8,000, respectively. The provincial rebates can be combined with the federal incentive, which means a B.C. buyer can enjoy a discount of up to $10,000, depending on the vehicle.

    A JOLT FOR EV SALES

    At a Toyota Canada event in Cambridge, Ont., in late April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said iZEV would spur EV sales across the country.

    “Because we know how important it is for Canadians to make choices that are good for the environment, we are willing to give Canadians [as much as] $5,000 directly off of the cost of many low-emission vehicles to encourage and develop bringing down the price on zero-emission vehicles as we move forward as a society,” Trudeau told Automotive News Canada. 

    “A commitment to rebate zero-emission vehicles is the federal government’s way of encouraging people to make better choices and encouraging auto companies to offer a greater range of choices on the kind of vehicles that we know are going to be more and more dependent in the coming years.”

    ENOUGH CARS FOR CUSTOMERS?

    Carter GM in Burnaby experienced “quite an influx of customers purchasing [eligible] vehicles,” said Kerry Renaud, the dealership’s new-inventory sales manager.

    The dealership sold four EVs — either the Chevrolet Volt or Bolt — on May 2 just after the program went into effect, with five more scheduled for May 4. 

    Jennifer Wright, spokeswoman for General Motors Canada, said the automaker “has and will continue to support our Canadian dealers in responding to increasing consumer demand for our award-winning Chevrolet Bolt EV.”

    At Harris Kia in Nanaimo, B.C., dealer principal David Bare predicted that EV demand would outstrip supply. 

    “You can pour all the money you want into this program,” Bare said, “but if there’s no cars for people to buy, it’s going to continue to be a prob

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    AutoCanada expects rising interest rates to impact consumer affordability
    Recommended for You
    AutoCanada Logo
    AutoCanada expects rising interest rates to impact consumer affordability
    Mercedes-Benz Storefront
    Plaintiffs lose ‘vexatious’ $49-billion lawsuit over Mercedes-Benz van lease
    Demand for new vehicles remains robust despite higher borrowing costs
    Demand for new vehicles remains robust despite higher borrowing costs
    Expert Insights: How Dealers Can Navigate Changing Consumer Behavior
    Sponsored Content: Expert Insights: How Dealers Can Navigate Changing Consumer Behavior
    Digital Edition
    Aug 2022 Issue Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS