As of 2022, there were about 80,000 electric vehicles in British Columbia.[1] As of September 2022, 17.5% of all new vehicles sold in the province were electric.[2]

Government policy

In 2011, British Columbia announced the LiveSmart BC program which started offering rebates of up to $5,000 per eligible clean energy vehicle commencing on December 1, 2011. The incentives were available until March 31, 2013, or until available funding is depleted, whichever came first. Available funds were enough to provide incentives for approximately 1,370 vehicles. Battery electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and plug-in hybrids with battery capacity of 15.0 kWh and above are eligible for a $5,000 incentive. Also effective December 1, 2011, rebates of up to $500 per qualifying electric vehicle charging equipment were available to B.C. residents who had purchased a clean energy vehicle.[3][4]

As of April 2022, the provincial government offers tax rebates of $3,000 for electric vehicle purchases.[5] In 2022, the provincial government stopped collecting sales tax on electric vehicles.[6]

Charging stations

As of 2021, there were about 2,500 public charging stations in British Columbia.[7] There were about 200 public DC charging station locations with 480 charging stations.[8]

Manufacturing

The province has been proposed as a hub for electric vehicle battery recycling.[9]

Public opinion

A poll conducted in 2022 by Research Co. and Glacier Media showed that 59% of residents of British Columbia who drive their own vehicle said that it was "very likely" or "moderately likely" that their next vehicle purchase would be electric.[10]

In a poll conducted in 2022 by BC Hydro, 41% of electric vehicle buyers in British Columbia described the process of buying an electric vehicle as "difficult".[11]

By region

Abbotsford–Mission

As of 2021, 1.8% of vehicles in Abbotsford and 1.7% of vehicles in Mission were electric.[12]

Chilliwack

As of 2021, 1.4% of vehicles in Chilliwack were electric.[12]

As of July 2021, there were 20 public AC charging stations and 2 public DC charging stations in Chilliwack.[13]

Kamloops

As of February 2019, there were 55 electric vehicles registered in Kamloops, equivalent to 0.07% of all vehicles in the city.[14]

Kelowna

As of 2016, there were 1,017 electric vehicles registered in Kelowna, equivalent to 1.3% of all vehicles in the city.[15]

Vancouver

As of May 2022, there were 483 public charging station ports in Vancouver.[16]

In March 2018, the Vancouver city council passed a resolution requiring all new residential buildings to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in 100% of parking spots.[17]

As of March 2022, there were 50 public charging stations in Surrey.[18]

As of 2021, 2.6% of vehicles registered in the Township of Langley were electric.[12]

Vancouver Island

In a 2022 poll conducted by Research Co., 70% of respondents on Vancouver Island said that electric vehicles were "too expensive" compared to non-electric vehicles.[19]

Victoria

As of 2020, 13% of new cars sold in Victoria were electric.[20]

Vernon

As of April 2021, there were three electric vehicles in the Vernon municipal fleet.[21]

References

  1. ^ Labbé, Stefan (April 1, 2022). "B.C. tops Quebec and California as EV capital of North America". Vancouver is Awesome. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  2. ^ "B.C. to benefit as Parkland doubles western Canada EV charging network". Victoria News. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "The Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program". LiveSmart BC. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  4. ^ "Table 1 –Examples of Clean Energy Vehicles and Incentive Levels" (PDF). LiveSmart BC. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  5. ^ Kumarasamy, Pira (April 20, 2022). "Gas vs. Electric Vehicle: Here's What to Consider". Morningstar. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  6. ^ Molnar, Coleman (February 23, 2022). "B.C. will no longer collect PST on used battery-electric vehicle sales". Driving.ca. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  7. ^ Orton, Tyler (March 22, 2022). "Supply, infrastructure issues stalling mass EV adoption". Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  8. ^ "Province expanding electric vehicle charging network". BC Gov News. August 31, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  9. ^ McSheffrey, Elizabeth (December 7, 2021). "New report urges B.C. to become region's leader in recycling electric vehicle batteries". Global News. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  10. ^ Canseco, Mario (May 2, 2022). "Opinion: Shift to electric vehicle acceptance is accelerating slowly in B.C." Coast Reporter. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Would-be EV buyers in B.C. stymied by supply issues, report finds". CTV News. May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Olsen, Tyler (July 27, 2022). "Power surge: electric vehicle numbers rise 50% in one year". Fraser Valley Current. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  13. ^ Welsh, Eric (July 2, 2021). "Public electric-vehicle charging network to expand in Chilliwack". Today in BC. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  14. ^ Kergin, Brendan (February 13, 2019). "City councillor wants to get the ball rolling on electric vehicles in Kamloops". Prince George Citizen. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  15. ^ Munro, Rob (September 24, 2021). "Kelowna may make EV charge stations mandatory for new residential developments". infotel.ca. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  16. ^ Coulter, Brendan (May 11, 2022). "Why electric car uptake in rural B.C. is lagging behind big cities". CBC News. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  17. ^ Howell, Mike (April 8, 2022). "Vancouver gas stations, parking lots without EV chargers could face $10,000 annual fee by 2025". Vancouver is Awesome. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  18. ^ Holmes, Tracy (March 13, 2022). "Surrey's electric-vehicle charging network nears 100 stations". North Delta Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Morneau, Ethan (May 3, 2022). "70% of Vancouver Island drivers find electric vehicles are too expensive (POLL)". Victoria Buzz. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  20. ^ Romphf, Jake (March 4, 2022). "Victoria aims to add 650 public electric vehicle charging stations over 5 years". Victoria News. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  21. ^ Rothwell, Kevin (April 26, 2021). "Vernon expands its electric vehicle fleet". Vernon Matters. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
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