Recent Program Changes

June 2024

Vehicle Classification and MSRP Cap Changes

On June 18, 2024, the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation (Ministry) modified the CleanBC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate (the Program) vehicle eligibility requirements. The changes took effect on June 18, 2024, at 11:59 PM. Under the modified program requirements, most vehicles are subject to a lowered MSRP cap. Program changes are:

1. Lowering the MSRP cap of the Cars category from $55,000 to $50,000, and
2. Moving SUVs and Station Wagons from the Larger Vehicles category to the Cars category.

This means that many of the previously eligible vehicles are no longer eligible for a rebate, and applicants who are currently in the ZEV buying process may not be able to receive a rebate.

Modified vehicle categories and classes within each (changes highlighted in yellow):

Grandparenting Rules – ended on July 17, 2024

Transitioning to the modified vehicle eligibility requirements will have implications for applicants currently in the buying process of a ZEV as their ZEV of choice may no longer be eligible for a rebate once the modifications take effect.

Those that pre-ordered*, did not complete a sale* for, or reserved** an eligible ZEV prior to the updated rules on June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM, may be eligible to receive a rebate during the 30-day grandparenting period.

*Pre-orders and incomplete sales are evidenced by documentation (such as a vehicle order form) that lists, at a minimum, the vehicle year, make, model, customer full legal name, and date (must be on or prior to June 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM). Deposits or credit card information are preferred but not mandatory.

**Reservations are evidenced by their dealers submitting an OEM Order application (Delivery Status: Open / Not delivered) to the CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate program to reserve their rebate on prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM.

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. That is, a transaction is deemed completed upon the delivery of the vehicle to the customer, as evidenced by the effective date of the ICBC Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence. If a vehicle transaction is not completed within the 30-day period – by July 17, 2024, at 11:59 PM – the buyer will not be eligible to receive a rebate. REMINDER: Individual applicant MUST be pre-approved (be deemed eligible) by the B.C. Ministry on or before the delivery date of the vehicle. If a vehicle is delivered prior to the pre-approval date, the deal is ineligible for the CleanBC rebate.

If a vehicle sale is completed within the 30-day period, all required documentation must be submitted by the dealer to the NCDA within 15 days of the date of sale/lease. For example, if a sale is completed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the final day the NCDA will accept all documentation will be Thursday, August 1, 2024.

The NCDA will be verifying the documentation (vehicle year, make, model, and customer’s full legal name) for each application during the 30-day period. If the documentation was not recorded before June 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM, the application will be rejected, and the applicant will not be able to receive a rebate for their vehicle.

Dealer Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there an exemption period for customers who pre-ordered or reserved (evidenced by an Open / Not Delivered application submitted by the dealer) an eligible zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) under the old program rules?
A: Yes. Dealers will have a 30-day period between June 18, 2024, and July 17, 2024, at 11:59 PM to access point-of-purchases rebates under the old program rules for customers who have placed a vehicle order before June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM or reserved rebate funds (evidenced by an Open / Not Delivered application submitted by the dealer) for a pre-ordered then-eligible ZEV but the ZEV has not yet been delivered.

For example, a dealer reviews their pre-ordered ZEVs and confirms with the customer that they would like the rebate and that the vehicle only qualifies for a rebate under the previous MSRP cap and category structure. The dealer must deliver the vehicle and complete the sale within the 30-day period – by July 17, 2024, at 11:59 PM – to access the rebate. Otherwise, the customer is not eligible to receive a rebate since the vehicle no longer qualifies in the program.

Q: My customer pre-ordered their vehicle prior to the June 2024 program changes, and are taking delivery shortly (prior to July 18, 2024), 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 applicant pre-ordered that vehicle prior to June 19, 2024.
• Optional – Proof that the applicant placed a deposit for that vehicle prior to June 19, 2024.

Q: How do I know which vehicles were eligible prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM?
A: The list of past eligible vehicles is available on the Eligible Vehicles – CleanBC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program (newcardealersgoelectric.ca) page.

Q: My individual customer was pre-approved by the BC government via income testing before June 19, 2024, does that mean they are eligible for grandparenting?
A: No. Income testing pre-approval does not guarantee grandparenting. The customer must have been committed prior to June 19, 2024, to buying/leasing a previously eligible vehicle.
A committed customer is a customer that pre-ordered*, did not complete a sale* for, or had their dealer reserve** an eligible ZEV prior to the updated rules by June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM.
*Pre-orders and incomplete sales are evidenced by documentation (such as a vehicle order form) that lists, at a minimum, the vehicle year, make, model, customer full legal name, and date (must be by June 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM). Deposits or credit card information are preferred but not mandatory.
**Reservations are evidenced by their dealers submitting an OEM Order application (Delivery Status: Open / Not delivered) to the CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate program to reserve their rebate by June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM

Q: Do individual customers need to be deemed eligible by the B.C. government prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM in order to be eligible for grandparenting?
A: No. Customers must have been in the buying/leasing process of a ZEV prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM in order to be considered for grandparenting. Individual customers MUST be pre-approved (i.e., deemed eligible) at time of vehicle delivery, which must take place on or before July 17, 2024.

Q: My individual customer was not pre-approved by the B.C. government prior to July 17, 2024, 11:59 PM, and because of that, the vehicle is to be delivered after July 17, 2024 – does this deal qualify for the CleanBC rebate?
A: No. Pre-approvals are valid for one year since the pre-approval date; therefore, individuals should apply for income-testing well in advance to prevent this situation. Post-delivery pre-approvals will NOT be honoured.

Q: My customer became interested in a past eligible vehicle and ordered one after June 18, 2024. The vehicle is to be delivered prior to July 18, 2024 – does this deal qualify for the CleanBC rebate?
A: No. Customers who did not order a past eligible vehicle prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM, cannot receive the CleanBC rebate since the vehicle is now ineligible.

Q: My customer test drove a ZEV but did not order or place a deposit on it prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM. Is this customer eligible for grandparenting?
A: No. There must be a commitment from the customer to buy/lease a ZEV prior to June 18, 2024, 11:59 PM.

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 – August 2022 Changes

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.

June 2021

The “CEVforBC Incentive Program” has been re-branded to the “CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate Program” by the Province of BC. The Program continues to operate in the same manner as under the old branding.

Effective December 1, 2020, eligible car share fleet applicants can receive up to fifty (50) rebates for the lifetime of the Program.

A list of eligible car share fleet applicants is available for reference, please make sure the applicant is included in the list before providing them the additional rebates.

A customized Dealer Application Checklist must be used for deals of car share fleet applicants.

Dealer Frequently Asked Questions – June 2021

I delivered an eligible vehicle to a car share fleet applicant. What supporting documents do I need to submit online?
Each application must have:

• Binding contract.
• Letter of Received Rebate.
• Dealer Application Checklist – Car Share Fleet (customized).
• A Valid BC Incorporation Number (needs to be inputted on the online form) and/or a copy of a BC Registry Services Company Summary.

Combine all documents into one PDF file and upload it upon submission.

I have an individual customer that works in the car share industry. Are they eligible for the increased rebate limit?
No, only fleets (business) that meet all criteria are eligible for the increased rebate limit.

How can I, as a dealer, check if my customer (Car Share Fleet) has reached the CleanBC rebate lifetime limit?
If the customer is unsure, they can contact the CleanBC team to verify. As well, you can also check with us regarding the number of rebates the customer is looking to receive.