British Columbia Ends Its Electric-Vehicle Program

Access to electric vehicles in Canada just became a little more complicated with the official end of British Columbia’s EV purchase-rebate program. The province now maintains that it is the federal government’s role to encourage electrification.

• The program had been in place since 2019

• It had been “on pause” since May 2025

• The rebate could reach up to $4,000

British Columbia is permanently ending the electric-vehicle rebate program it put on hold six months ago and is also backing away from its requirement that all new vehicles sold in the province be zero-emission by 2035. Energy Minister Adrian Dix is now redirecting attention toward Ottawa, saying federal policies and tariffs are contributing to high EV prices, while the province revisits its own climate targets.

Dix explained that the province’s goals of reaching 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales and an interim target of 90 per cent by 2030 were no longer “realistic,” and reiterated that the province has always viewed rebates “as a federal responsibility.” As he put it, “The rebate programs were never intended to be permanent,” referring to the provincial offer of up to $4,000 for battery-electric vehicles before the program was paused in May.

Speaking in Victoria, Dix announced that the NDP government plans to bring forward legislation next year to update B.C.’s requirements so that they align with the federal targets expected to be released in the coming months. “I think targets should be things that you can reach with efforts,” he said. “So they shouldn’t be what you expect will happen, but what you can realistically reach with effort.”

The new targets are not yet defined, partly because a CleanBC review tied to the province’s climate strategy is still underway, and Ottawa has not completed its own review of nationwide EV mandates.

Earlier this month, federal officials indicated that Ottawa intends to propose changes to its electric-vehicle sales mandate this winter. The original federal plan called for 20 per cent zero-emission sales next year, reaching 100 per cent by 2035, mirroring B.C.’s previous targets. However, on September 5, Prime Minister Mark Carney put the 2026 rollout of the policy on hold and initiated a broader reassessment.

Dix said B.C. would benefit from aligning its revised plan with Ottawa’s. “We believe they should be the same,” he noted.

He also suggested federal actions have contributed to rising EV prices, specifically referencing “considerable tariffs” imposed on electric vehicles manufactured in China. “I leave it to the Government of Canada to deal with our complicated relationship with the [People’s] Republic of China,” he added.

Although targets may shift, Dix maintained that automakers remain on track to meet the current goal of 26 per cent EV sales by 2026. He highlighted that the existing legislation offers a grace period for companies that fall short. When asked whether manufacturers should continue preparing for the present targets, Dix said their focus should be ensuring that residents of British Columbia have access to EVs.

In a statement shared by Dix’s ministry, Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., described the government’s announcement as “helpful interim steps that provide short-term relief for consumers and dealers.” He also stressed that the province’s review of ZEV rules “must directly address affordability, including EV rebate support.”

While Dix reiterated that rebates fall under federal jurisdiction, he said the province will prioritize expanding the charging network. B.C. already has 7,000 public charging stations, and the province says it remains on course to reach 10,000 by 2030.

When the province paused its rebate program in the spring, it cited a “time of economic instability.” Ottawa ended its own federal rebate program back in January.

Even without provincial rebates, Dix said the government plans to introduce “significant regulatory changes” to support EV adoption. These include widening the types of vehicles eligible for zero-emission credit programs and introducing incentives for automakers that improve financing options for EV buyers. Asked how the province intends to meet future mandates without offering financial incentives, Dix replied: “They are important steps, but they are not major steps.” He added, “I would say on that question, there are steps we hope that automakers will pick up on and will benefit consumers in B.C.”

The Conservative critic is happy

Hon Chan, the B.C. Conservative critic for climate solutions and climate readiness, argued that Dix’s announcement confirms the Opposition’s long-held view that EV mandates were unrealistic. “We know that it’s unfair for B.C. consumers and also for the new car dealer,” Chan said. But he warned that the announcement will create “confusion and uncertainty” for dealers who must now wait months for more details. Without rebates, he predicted EV sales could drop by double digits.

The policy shift comes six months after Energy Futures — an energy-policy think tank — released documents showing internal concerns over whether B.C. could reach its 90-per-cent EV sales target by 2030. Documents later obtained by The Canadian Press say “recent developments” have led to a consensus that meeting the target will be “challenging.” They note that EV adoption in B.C. has “levelled off” due to affordability issues, gaps in charging infrastructure and changing policies.

Zero-emission vehicles made up 22.4 per cent of all light-duty vehicle sales in the province in 2024, up sharply from 0.8 per cent in 2015 but slightly below the 22.7 per cent recorded in 2023. B.C.’s zero-emission mandate was first introduced in September 2019 as part of the CleanBC strategy, which aims to cut emissions by 40 per cent by 2030.

With the help of CBC/Radio-Canada