British Columbians in the market for a new vehicle now have the option to participate in the $7.5 million Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Point of Sale Incentive Program, an initiative of the BC Ministry of Environment, LiveSmart BC in partnership with the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
Consumers will receive up to $5,000 off the pre-tax price when they purchase or lease a qualifying new battery electric, fuel cell, plug in hybrid electric or compressed natural gas vehicle. The program, accessible through 199 participating new car dealers across the province, is intended to encourage and accelerate the sale of clean energy vehicles and technology innovation within British Columbia.
A new website, www.CEVforBC.ca, hosted by the NCDABC, is now available and serves as a central point for consumers wanting to learn more about eligible vehicles and incentives for each vehicle.
“This is a very exciting time for New Car Dealers in B.C.,” says Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. “Manufacturers have been investing in an array of new technologies over the past number of years, including Clean Energy Vehicle Technology. We’re proud to be making this new technology available to B.C. consumers, while at the same time making a significant contribution to the greening of the Provincial Economy and encouraging manufacturers to choose B.C. when developing and deploying new clean energy technology.”
Vehicles currently qualifying under the CEV Incentive Program include the Chevrolet Volt, Mitsubishi iMiev, Nissan Leaf, Smart Fortwo, Ford Focus Electric and Toyota Prius. Also included are fuel cell technology models such as the Mercedes-Benz B-class F-cell and Compressed Natural Gas models such as the Honda GX, which was recently awarded the 2012 Green Car of the Year title by Green Car Journal.
Pure battery powered electric vehicles such as the Leaf and iMiev have zero tailpipe emissions. Vehicles qualifying for the rebate are anticipated to cost as little as $300 per year in hydro costs compared to upwards of $1,500 per year to fuel a gas powered car.
About New Car Dealers Association of B.C.
The New Car Dealers Association of BC is the provincial industry association that represents more than 350 new car and truck dealers in 54 communities throughout British Columbia. Members of the Association - are responsible for almost $10 billion of economic activity in the province and directly and indirectly employ 34,000 full-time positions. The association speaks on behalf of the retail new automotive industry to the public, media, and government, and deals primarily with the legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating to vehicle sales in British Columbia. For more information visit www.newcardealers.ca.