August 2022
New System – Application Submission Portal
Please ensure to read the instructions to our new Application Submission Portal.
New Rules – Clarifications
Additional clarifications regarding the new rules can be found here.
Program Re-Design
Program changes as of August 2, 2022 include a revised rebate structure that prioritizes affordability, makes rebates available to a larger group of potential buyers, focuses funding on more affordable vehicles, and aligns our vehicle eligibility with the federal government’s iZEV rebate program.
Rebates for individuals will now be up to $4,000 for battery, fuel cell, and longer-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and up to $2,000 for shorter-range PHEVs. Rebates will no longer be available for higher-income earners (over $100,000 for individuals). Rebate amounts for businesses, local governments, or organizations remain the same, at $3,000 for battery, fuel cell, and longer‑range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and $1,500 for shorter-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Individuals will need to apply to have their income verified through the BC government’s website, as specified here. They will then receive a pre-approved rebate level assigned to them, that they will be able to use when they go to purchase/lease a ZEV.
There will now be two vehicle class categories: Cars and Larger Vehicles. Cars with Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs) below $55,000 will be eligible for the rebate, while Larger Vehicles with MSRPs below $70,000 will be eligible for the rebate.
Grandparenting Rules – ended on October 31, 2022
For individuals who started the process of buying or leasing an eligible ZEV prior to the Program changes, the Ministry is offering a 90-day exemption period, under which deals may be grand-parented under the previous program rules (and previous rebate amounts). This includes those who have paid a deposit and pre-ordered a ZEV, those who have started but not yet completed the sale, or those who have funds reserved for a pre-ordered ZEV. Dealers may make fund reservations at any point during the 90-day period provided the buyer has paid a deposit on the vehicle. The NCDA will be verifying the deposit dates for each application during the 90-day period. If the sale is not completed within the 90-day period, the individual must apply for an income-tested rebate under the new program rules.
If an individual with an existing reserved rebate application wants an income-tested rebate, they must ask their dealer to cancel the application before they can apply for an income-tested rebate.
Dealer Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there an exemption period for individuals who pre-ordered or reserved (evidenced by an Open / OEM application submitted by the dealer) an eligible zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) under the old program rules?
A: Yes. Dealers will have a 90-day period between August 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM and October 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM to access point-of-purchases rebates under the old program rules for individuals who have paid a deposit before August 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM and:
- Pre-ordered (but did not reserve funds for) a ZEV but the ZEV has not yet been delivered; or,
- Reserved rebate funds (evidenced by an Open / OEM application submitted by the dealer) for a pre-ordered ZEV but the ZEV has not yet been delivered; or,
- Started but did not complete their ZEV sale (e.g., individuals who tried to buy a ZEV currently in inventory on a dealer’s sales lot).
A sale is deemed completed and consummated when the purchaser of the vehicle has paid the purchase price, or, in lieu thereof, has signed a purchase contract or security agreement and taken physical possession or delivery of the vehicle. If a vehicle sale is not completed within the 90-day period (by October 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM) and the individual wants a B.C. provincial rebate, the individual must apply for an income tested rebate under the new program. If a vehicle sale is completed within the 90-day period, a reimbursement application must be submitted by the dealer to the New Car Dealers Association (NCDA) within 15 days of the date of sale/lease. For example, if a sale is completed on Monday, October 31, 2022, the final day the NCDA will accept submission will be Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
The exemption rule will also apply to any reserved applications (“reservations”) submitted between August 2, 2022, and October 30, 2022. While the reservation period for rebate funds is also a 90-day period (not to be confused with the 90-day exemption period), access to the old rebate amounts will end on October 31, 2022 if a sale has not been completed. Reserved applications for individuals who have remaining days left in their reservation period after October 31, 2022 will be unable to apply for another reservation under the new program rules. As per the program rules, dealers are only permitted to apply for one reservation per deal. Individuals whose dealers have not yet applied for a reservation will be eligible to do so under the new program rules after the individuals completed income testing. Reservations will reflect the new eligible rebate amounts for the individual based on their income eligibility confirmation.
The NCDA will be verifying the date a deposit was paid on a vehicle for each application during the 90-day period. If the deposit was not paid before August 2, 2022, the application will be rejected, and the applicant required to apply for a rebate under the new program design.
Q: My buyer (individual) only has a few days left in their reservation period when the new program rules went into effect. Will it be extended?
A: For individuals with a reserved rebate, their active reservation period will be automatically extended until October 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM, and they will have to access point-of-purchases rebates under the old program rules. If a vehicle sale is not completed within the 90-day period (by October 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM) and the individual wants a B.C. provincial rebate, the individual must apply for an income tested rebate under the new program. If a vehicle sale is completed within the 90-day period, all required documentation must be submitted by the dealer to the New Car Dealers Association (NCDA) within 15 days of the date of sale/lease. For example, if a sale is completed on Monday, October 31, 2022, the final day the NCDA will accept all documentation will be Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
A sale is deemed completed and consummated when the purchaser of the vehicle has paid the purchase price, or, in lieu thereof, has signed a purchase contract or security agreement and taken physical possession or delivery of the vehicle.
Q: My buyer (individual) pre-ordered their vehicle prior to the August 2022 program changes, and are taking delivery shortly (prior to October 31, 2022), what documents do I need to attach when I submit the rebate reimbursement application?
A: At a minimum, the following documents must be provided to the NCDA:
- Binding contract (Bill of Sale for sales, Lease Agreement for leases).
- Dealer Application Checklist.
- Letter of Received Rebate.
- ICBC Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence.
- Proof that the individual pre-ordered that vehicle prior to August 2, 2022.
- Proof that the individual placed a deposit for that vehicle prior to August 2, 2022.
Q: Can individuals that pre-ordered or reserved an eligible ZEV under the old program rules apply for an income tested rebate?
A: Yes. Under the new program rules, some individuals will be eligible for rebate amounts that exceed the old rebate program maximum amounts. If a individual is eligible for a higher maximum rebate amount than what is offered under the old program, they can choose to (if appropriate give up their rebate reservation under the old program and) apply for an income tested rebate to maximize their rebate dollars.
If a individual with an existing reserved rebate application wants an income tested rebate, they will have to ask their dealer to cancel their reservation application before applying for an income tested rebate or their income tested application will be rejected. Once the dealer has cancelled the individual’s reserved rebate application, the individual will proceed under the new program without reserved rebate funds.
Q: Do individuals get rebate top-ups?
A: No. Individuals who purchased a zero-emission vehicle with a dealer before August 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM will be covered by the old rebate amounts and rules. In the event an individual received a $3,000 rebate under the old rebate amounts but determines they are eligible for a higher-valued rebate (e.g., $4,000) under the new program rules with income testing, they will be unable to receive a rebate top-up.
Q: If an individual has already received a rebate, can they apply for another rebate under the new program rules?
A: No. If an individual has already purchased a ZEV and received a rebate before the program change, the individual will not be able to apply for an income tested rebate. Individuals may only receive a maximum of 1 rebate from the CleanBC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate program over the lifetime of the program.