The department of Transport is assessing whether there is a “need for adjustments” of the $5,000 rebates offered to electric vehicle (EV) buyers, according to a briefing note. .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, a program in the United States provides almost double the rebate amount..“Transport Canada will continue to monitor zero emission vehicle results and assess the need for adjustments to the program to ensure it is meeting its objectives,” said the note Incentives for Zero Emission Vehicles Program. .“On suggesting the program should match the incentive amounts provided by the US Electric Vehicle Tax Credit, we continue to monitor developments.”.“The United States is offering a clean vehicle tax credit that would provide eligible individuals with up to US$7,500 or approximately CDN$9,600 off an eligible new vehicle and up to US$4,000 or CDN$5,100 of an eligible used vehicle,” said the note..Cabinet in 2019 introduced rebates of up to $5,000. Some 185,000 rebates have been paid to date. The program expires in 2025 at a budgeted cost of $1.7 billion..According to research conducted by the Privy Council in 2022, Canadians have different opinions about the program, with some supporting it and others not..“Most participants were aware of the Government of Canada’s target to make all new cars sold in Canada zero-emission vehicles by 2035,” said a pollsters’ report. .“While some strongly supported this commitment in terms of its impact on the environment, several were concerned.”.“Several worried about the cost to purchase a zero-emission vehicle presuming it could be prohibitive for many consumers,” said the report Continuous Qualitative Data Collection of Canadians’ Views. .“Others opposed any government intervention in the marketplace, especially if it resulted in reduced choice for consumers.”.Currently, EVs make up 5% of the vehicles on the road. The government has set sales targets for the future, aiming for 20% of vehicles to be electric by 2026, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2035..In a 2020 submission to the Commons Environment committee, the Transport department confirmed two provinces, British Columbia and Québec, accounted for most sales. .“The figures we have are 48% in the province of Québec, 30% in British Columbia and 17% in Ontario,” testified Megan Nichols, director general of Environmental Policy at the Transport department..British Columbia offers a rebate of up to $4,000 per vehicle for electric cars. In Québec, the rebate is $7,000. However, Ontario cancelled its subsidy that provided rebates of up to $14,000 in 2018..According to the New Motor Vehicle Registrations report by Statistics Canada on July 21, 2022, it was found that 59% of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles were registered in three cities, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal.
