Number of electric vehicles on B.C. roads on the rise: province
Credit to Author: Jennifer Saltman| Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2019 22:14:38 +0000
More than 30,000 electric vehicles are now on the road in B.C., where the provincial government has set goals of both reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 60 per cent and selling only zero-emission new vehicles by 2040.
According to the latest data from the province in 2019, 10 years after the first electric vehicles hit the road in B.C., they make up nine per cent of light-duty vehicles that are being sold in the province, up from four per cent in 2018 and ahead of the targets set under B.C.’s climate strategy, which was released late last year.
“We expect that we’re going to be five years ahead of our own schedule,” said B.C. Energy Minister Michelle Mungall.
The strategy, called CleanBC, had electric vehicles — which include battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric and making up 10 per cent of light-duty sales by 2025. The plan also stipulates that by 2040 all new vehicles sold in B.C. will be zero-emission vehicles.
Electric vehicle sales in B.C. are the highest per capita in all of North America, ahead of Quebec (seven per cent) and California (eight per cent).
CleanBC notes that the province set new greenhouse-gas emissions targets last spring. Compared to 2007 levels, the goal is to reduce emissions by 40 per cent by 2030, 60 per cent by 2040 and 80 per cent by 2050.
Mungall said the transportation sector is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse-gas emissions, and although larger vehicles tend to be the larger emitters, switching personal vehicles to zero emissions can help the province meet its goals.
B.C. Energy Minister Michelle Mungall.
“Emissions that we produce with our vehicles are often some of the biggest emissions that we produce as individuals, and so that contribution that every single one of us can make is important to our overall reduction in our emissions,” she said.
Mungall attributes the increase in electric vehicles on the road, at least in part, to the rebates the provincial and federal governments are offering, which can reduce the price of a new electric vehicle by around $8,000.
“I think that the rebate really helped where people are making the decision they need to buy a new car, so are they going to choose between electric vehicle, which is what they would like to do, or do they choose between an internal-combustion engine vehicle that might be a little less expensive on the ticket price,” she said.
According to the province, there are about 44 electric vehicle models for sale in B.C., with most of them priced in the $30,000 to $50,000 range, before rebates. Installing a charging station at home can cost between $700 and $2,000.
There are three vehicle incentive programs in B.C., plus a specialty-use vehicle incentive. The federal iZEV program offers up to $5,000 off a new battery-electric vehicle, $2,500 to $5,000 on a plug-in hybrid and up to $5,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. A provincial program offers up to $3,000 off a new battery-electric, up to $1,500 off a plug-in hybrid and up to $3,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. B.C. SCRAP-IT program offers incentives for up to $6,000 for a new and $3,000 for a used qualifying electric vehicle.
The province also offers rebates for installing high-speed charging stations in single-family homes, condo and apartment buildings and workplaces.
While buying an electric vehicle and installing charging infrastructure can be expensive, owners will save on fuel — about $1,800 every year, according to the provincial government — and maintenance compared to gas vehicles because there are fewer moving parts. Electric vehicle drivers who apply for and receive a special permit can also drive in HOV lanes, even if there is only one person in the car.
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