British Columbia Premier Announces Elimination of Tesla Incentives - Premier Expresses Disgust, Likening Decision to Nauseating Experience
Tesla Products Dropped from BC's EV Rebate Program
As of March 12, 2025, British Columbia (BC) residents purchasing a Tesla product will have to foot the full cost of the product and installation, as the rebates for Tesla chargers, batteries, and inverters have been discontinued.
The CleanBC and BC Hydro programs, which previously offered rebates for electric vehicle (EV) installations, have removed Tesla products from their eligibility list. This change comes in response to concerns over a spike in rebate claims by Tesla that were seen as potentially misuse or fraudulent at the federal level.
Following the federal government's action to freeze $43 million in Tesla rebate claims and bar Tesla from future federal incentive programs, several provinces, including BC, tightened their eligibility rules and removed Tesla vehicles from their rebate programs.
The BC government's decision to support Canadian-made products and reduce reliance on US goods is also a factor in this change. The move comes amid an escalating tariff war between Canada and the US.
The BC government's CleanBC EV Charger Rebate Program explicitly states that as of March 12, 2025, Tesla charging stations are not eligible for rebates under that provincial program. However, installations made or pre-approved before that date are still eligible.
Premier David Eby of BC criticized the use of taxpayer money for Tesla products, stating that British Columbians would not want their money going to Elon Musk. The Premier's stance reflects a broader trend of government scrutiny towards Tesla's business practices.
The removal of rebates for Tesla products does not apply to those who bought or pre-approved Tesla products before March 12, 2025. The Tesla Wall Connector, which retails for $580 CAD, no longer has a portion of its installation costs covered by rebates.
Other US charging brands still qualify for rebates under the CleanBC and BC Hydro programs. For those considering purchasing a Tesla product, it's important to note that the full cost of the product and installation will be out of pocket after March 12, 2025.
For more information, please refer to the update on the BC government's website or watch Premier Eby's statement in the video provided below.
[1] Federal government freezes $43 million in Tesla rebate claims
[2] Tesla's removal from BC's EV rebate program explained
[3] BC government removes Tesla from EV rebate program
[4] BC government's CleanBC EV Charger Rebate Program
- Despite ongoing concerns about potential misuse or fraudulent claims at the federal level, the rise in rebate claims by Tesla has resulted in the removal of their products from various provincial incentive programs, such as the CleanBC EV Charger Rebate Program in British Columbia, amid a broader trend of government scrutiny towards Tesla's business practices.
- The recent decision by the BC government to exclude Tesla products, including charging stations, from eligibility for rebates in their CleanBC EV Charger Rebate Program is a part of the provincial initiative to support Canadian-made products and reduce reliance on US goods, which has intensified as a result of the escalating tariff war between Canada and the US.
