West Kootenay residents to get $5K off clean energy cars
By Contributor
West Kootenay residents and people across B.C. will get up to $5,000 off the sticker price of a qualifying clean energy vehicle starting Dec. 1.
Environment Minister Terry Lake said Saturday that the rebate includes qualifying new vehicles that are battery electric, fuel-cell electric, plug-in hybrid electric and those that operate on compressed natural gas.
Andrea Mercer, a spokeswoman for the ministry, said there are currently up to 30 such vehicles for fleets in B.C., and 10 to 20 for residential use.
As part of the $17-million program, the province is also providing funding for new charging stations and upgrades to hydrogen fuelling stations at existing facilities.
Homeowners who want to install a charging station will get a $500 mail-in rebate for eligible units, also beginning Dec. 1.
Mercer said home charging stations cost up to $1,500 and that the Environment Ministry will be publishing a list of qualified vendors and eligible units.
“They can be installed in your garage or they can be put outside, depending on what your setup is.”
On Saturday, the Scrap-It program was also expanded so more British Columbians can get rid of qualifying 1995 or older gas guzzlers in exchange for incentives such as bus passes, car-sharing memberships or $300.
