Clean Energy Vehicles Programming: Gaining a Better Understanding

It's no secret that gas-powered vehicles send harmful emissions into the air which help to create the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. In fact, in Canada alone, the transportation industry is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases. To combat global warming, many dealerships are offering buyers special incentives when purchasing a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV).

What is a Zero-Emission Vehicle?

In a fuel-burning vehicle, gasoline or diesel is heated up in the vehicle's engine which then turns the liquid fuel into a gas. The gas contains toxic chemicals, like nitrogen oxides, and is then released out of the car's exhaust pipes and out into the air that we breathe.

ZEVs get rid of the harmful emissions by eliminating petrol from vehicles. Battery-powered cars, plug-in hybrids, and vehicles that are powered hydrogen fuel cells are all considered to be qualifying ZEVs.

 

Buyer Incentives

 

To help encourage more consumers to purchase a zero-emissions vehicle, dealerships will be offering various incentives when they decide to purchase or lease a qualifying ZEV.

Some of the incentives include:

• $2,500 when purchasing or leasing a short-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

• $5,000 when purchasing or leasing a battery-powered electric vehicle, long-range plug-in hybrid vehicles, and vehicles that run on a hydrogen fuel cell.

In order to be eligible for the incentive, the vehicle must have no more than six seats and the base model MSRP must be less than $45,000. If you are purchasing a higher trim level, the MSRP cannot be more than $55,000.

 

If you are choosing a vehicle that has seven or more seats, the base model price cannot exceed $55,000 and higher trim levels can not exceed an MSRP of $60,000.

Other Incentive Qualifications

In order to receive the incentives, not only do you have to purchase or lease one of the qualifying vehicles, but you also have to have purchased the vehicle on or after May 1, 2019. Any vehicle that was purchased before that date does not qualify for the incentive program.

Also, owners do not need to do anything extra in order to receive the incentive. The dealership in which you are purchasing or leasing the vehicle will fill out all of the necessary paperwork for you to ensure that you receive your cash incentive.

Important Information About the Program

 

Only new vehicles are eligible for the zero-emission program. Pre-owned or used vehicles are not eligible. Demo vehicles that have only been owned by the dealership are considered to be new and could qualify for the incentive program.

 

The Clean Energy Vehicle Program is just one way that Canada is stepping up to do its part to slow down the progression of global warming. If you have any questions about this exciting incentive program, please feel free to contact us today.