2020 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

Buying a vehicle – any vehicle – is a huge financial undertaking. But with the higher price of electric cars – not to mention the added costs of home chargers – it can be an even more daunting experience when it comes to your bank account, even if you understand the future fuel and maintenance cost savings. The financial sting is immediate.

Fortunately, here in Canada there are a few options of rebates and incentives, for both the vehicle itself and the charging infrastructure, to help soften the blow. Why not take full advantage of these government deals? Here is a rundown of the major federal and provincial offerings, but keep in mind some cities also offer financial aid when it comes to EVs; all it takes is a little looking around.

Car Incentives

Federal Government

Under the Incentives for Zero Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program, the government covers both BEVs and PHEVs.

First up is the “long range” rebate of up to $5,000, which applies to plug-in vehicles that have a battery capacity of at least 15 kWh – a BEV. A $2,500 rebate is offered to plug-in vehicles with a ‘short range” which is defined as having a battery capacity of less than 15 kWh.

There are two qualifying factors in the BEV incentive equation: the vehicle has six seats or less and the base model has an MSRP of less than $45,000; or the same vehicle with a higher trim level that doesn’t exceed $55,000. Or, a BEV with seven or more seats, with a starting MSRP of $55,000, or a higher trim level of the same vehicle with a price not more than $60,000.

The Federal incentives can also be added to provincial rebates for even more savings. Find out what vehicles are eligible here.

British Columbia
$3,000 for longer range BEV, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, or longer-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. and $1,500 for shorter range PHEV.
Click here for more information.

Quebec
$8,000 on purchase or lease of EVs priced up to $60,000. PHEVs can be either $8,000, $4,000 or $500, depending on the size of the battery. Hydrogen-powered vehicles can also get $8,000, whereas EV motorcycles warrant $2,000. Small electric scooters can get $500.
Click here for more information

New Brunswick
$5,000 for a new EV and long-range PHEV, $2,500 for a new PHEV or used BEV, and $1,000 for a used PHEV. There are also rebates of up to $5,000 when it comes to leasing a BEV or PHEV.
Click here for more information.

Nova Scotia
$3,000 for a new EV and $2,000 for used BEVs and new PHEVs, along with $1,000 for used PHEVs. An e-bike that costs more than $1,200 is eligible for a $500 rebate.
Click here for more information.

Prince Edward Island
$5,000 for a new or used EV and $2,500 for a PHEV
Click here for more information

Newfoundland and Labrador
$2,500 for a new or used BEV
Click here for more information

Yukon Territories
$5,000 for a new BEV, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle or a PHEV with a battery larger than 15 kWh. Or, $3,000 for a PHEV with a battery less than 15 kWh.
Click here for more information.

Northwest Territories
$5,000 for a BEV or PHEV
Click here for more information

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut and Ontario
There are currently no provincial rebates available.

Charger Incentives

Just as important as finding vehicle incentives is finding some financial relief on the purchase and/or installation of a Level 2 home charger, where the majority of charging will take place.

This is a list of Canadian governments’ home charging incentives, but interestingly, General Motors announced last year they would cover the cost of an at-home Level 2 charging station with the purchase/lease of a 2022 Bolt.

British Columbia
Owners or residents of single-family homes that purchase and install an eligible Level 2 charger can receive a rebate of up to 50 per cent of costs, to a maximum of $350, while funding lasts. Condos, apartments and workplaces can apply for rebates of up to 50 per cent, or up to $2,000, per station, as well as five hours of free support services from an EV Charging Advisor. There are more rebates available to convert whole condos or apartments into EV-friendly spaces, too.
Click here for more information

Manitoba
At the moment, there is not an EV charger incentive here. However, their Energy Efficient Home Loan program gives you the option to finance up to $3,000 per EV charger, including installation. In this case, something beats nothing.

Northwest Territories
If you want a Level 2 home charger, you’re eligible for $500 via the Arctic Energy Alliance.
Click here for more information

Yukon Territories
A Level 2 charger, purchased and installed, provides 50 per cent off the purchase and installation costs returned, to a max of $750. For multi-unit residential, commercial or institutional buildings, that rebate could be 50 per cent of total costs up to a maximum of $4,000 per  charger.
Click here for more information

Quebec
Buy and install a Level 2 charger and you’ll get up to $600 of it back via the Government of Quebec.
EV charging stations in multi-unit buildings can see up to 50 per cent of expenses to a maximum of $5,000 per wireless charging station or connector.
Click here for more information

New Brunswick
Residents who are eligible for the EV vehicle incentive will also be able to receive up to 50 per cent of the cost of purchase and installation of a home charger, up to $750.
Click here for more information

Prince Edward Island
Islanders who purchase an EV will also see the full cost of a Level 2 home charger fully recompensed; they just pay for installation.
Click here for more information

Newfoundland & Labrador, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Ontario
Nothing doing here, at least not yet.

Business Incentives

It’s not just private residents that benefit from these rebates; businesses, governments and other organizations can also take advantage of incentives that help them electrify their fleets. Here are a few that are available.

Federal Government
The same $5,000 for a BEV applies; a resident can apply for only one every year, but a business or provincial, territorial or municipal government that operates fleets can apply up to 10 times per year. Or, businesses can write off 100 per cent of the EV’s cost at tax time.

Quebec
A incentive of up to 50 per cent of total install costs up to $5,000 per Level 2 charger at a workplace. Each company/organization can max out at $25,000 per calendar year, or five charging stations.

British Columbia
If your business is a BC Hydro client, you’re eligible for 50 per cent of total install costs up to $2,000 per Level 2 charger to be covered. Additionally, you’re in line for five no-charge hours of support from an EV charging advisor.

Yukon
50 per cent of total installation costs up to $4,000 per Level 2 charger. Interestingly, there’s a cap of having 10 chargers per workplace.

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