NEWS RELEASE. Government charges up incentives for zero-emission vehicles

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1 For Immediate Release 2017MEM Feb. 3, 2017 NEWS RELEASE Government charges up incentives for zero-emission vehicles VANCOUVER Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett today announced an investment of $40 million to encourage British Columbians to make the switch to zero-emission vehicles, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support investment in made-in-b.c. green technology. Zero-emission vehicles are clean, quiet and reliable, and help drivers reduce fuel and maintenance costs and tailpipe emissions, and are a growing economic sector in the province, said Bennett. Additional funding of $40 million for the Clean Energy Vehicle Program will help make zero-emission vehicles more affordable for British Columbians and build out charging infrastructure at residences, businesses and along our roads and highways to make sure there are places to charge them up. The funding for the Province s Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program will be distributed over the next three years to support continued point-of-sale purchase incentives of up to $5,000 for battery electric vehicles and $6,000 for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. When combined with SCRAP-IT program incentives, total savings could be up to $11,000 for a new electric vehicle. Programs funded within the $40 million are also under development to: Expand public, residential and workplace charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure. Support research, economic development and job training in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sector. Increase public awareness of the benefits of ZEVs. Continue purchase incentives for specialty-use vehicles used in vehicle fleets such as light-duty zero-emission trucks, buses and motorcycles. Provide incentives for bikes, electric bikes, electric scooters, car share credits and transit passes when someone scraps an older vehicle. Transportation accounts for nearly half of the emissions by the average B.C. family, and lightduty vehicles account for 14% of B.C. s overall emissions. With 98% of our electricity in B.C coming from clean or renewable sources, encouraging people to buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle is one of best ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure British Columbia remains a climate action leader, said Minister of Environment Mary Polak. The vehicle price cap established for the CEV Program in March 2016 remains in effect vehicles priced above $77,000 are ineligible for purchase incentives. The vehicle incentives will continue to be administered and delivered by the New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia. The New Car Dealers Association of BC applauds the Government of British Columbia s climate

2 action leadership and its progressive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building on effective initiatives such as the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEVforBC) incentive program, said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. Programs like CEVforBC coupled with expanding charging systems will ensure B.C. remains a national leader in climate action and clean-energy vehicle usage. Our industry, including dealers, vehicle manufacturers and other key partners, look forward to working with the Province to continue to grow and maximize the potential of point-of-sale programs to incentivize the sale of clean-energy vehicles. The funding provides more money per year to meet growing demand for rebates on vehicles and specialty-use vehicles, and supports the expansion of charging stations, hydrogen fuelling stations and the development of new research and training programs, fulfilling the Province s undertaking in the Climate Leadership Plan to expand the CEV Program to support new vehicle incentives and infrastructure, as well as education and economic development initiatives. Members of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association talk with thousands of people who are thinking about buying an electric vehicle, so we know what is on their minds as they contemplate a purchase, said Bruce Sharpe, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association. The CEV program addresses many of the key factors needed for electric vehicle adoption with its support for awareness, purchase incentives, and charging infrastructure. We welcome this significant additional investment in the program as well as the recent increases in the SCRAP-IT program. We are also pleased to see support for vehicles other than cars, such as bikes, scooters, and specialty vehicles. The CEV program will encourage the uptake of all these great clean energy vehicles which will have benefits for greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and energy efficiency. "The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is tremendously excited to see continued investment from the British Columbia government in zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell technology through its Clean Energy vehicle incentives, said Daryl Wilson, chairman of the CHFCA. These initiatives are further evidence of the strong commitment the Government of B.C. has made to supporting British Columbia's world-leading hydrogen infrastructure, and accelerating consumer adoption of fuel cell vehicles in the province. Continued, stable funding for the Clean Energy Vehicle Program supports the growth of B.C. s zero-emission vehicle sector, creating jobs and economic opportunities for companies and organizations involved in all aspects of the supply chain from raw materials to final consumer products related to vehicles or vehicle components, fuel and charging infrastructure and transferable technologies and services. As a key component supplier to leading zero-emission, electric-drive vehicle manufacturers around the world, Delta-Q supports the Government of British Columbia s continued efforts to grow the zero-emission vehicle sector, said Ken Fielding, CEO of Delta-Q Technologies Corporation. Delta-Q s high-efficiency battery chargers are well regarded in the electric vehicle markets we serve which include all kinds of industrial, commercial, recreational and electric mobility vehicles. By investing in this area, collaborating with local universities and government bodies, we have further strengthened our position in this competitive market-place and continue to build on our reputation as an innovation leader. Funding for incentives of $500 toward the cost of bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters,

3 car-share credits and transit passes when someone scraps an older vehicle will be distributed by SCRAP-IT BC. Incentives from SCRAP-IT BC for the purchase of a new electric vehicle have been increased from $3,250 to $6,000, and SCRAP-IT BC is also now offering incentives of $3,000 for the purchase of a used electric vehicle. We congratulate the B.C. government on this announcement to continue to support the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program and related initiatives, said Dennis Rogoza, CEO of the BC SCRAP-IT Program Society. These are very important to building consumer confidence in electric vehicles. Attractive incentives from both the CEV and SCRAP-IT Programs along with added recharging infrastructure will accelerate large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in British Columbia. SCRAP-IT is pleased the Government will also be supporting new incentives for consumers through SCRAP-IT for other low-emission options such as transit passes, car share programs and bikes. The Province introduced the CEV Program in 2011 and including today s announcement has since committed more than $71 million for vehicle purchase incentives, charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, vehicle fleet programs, public outreach, and research and training. The #BCTECH Strategy is a key component of the BC Jobs Plan to support the growth of B.C. s vibrant technology sector and strengthen British Columbia s diverse innovation economy. The multi-year strategy includes a $100-million BC Tech Fund and initiatives to increase talent development and market access for tech companies that will drive innovation and productivity throughout the province. Quick Facts: B.C has the highest ratio of ZEV sales to non-zev sales in Canada with over 4,800 ZEVs on the road. B.C. has the largest charging network in Canada with over 1,100 public, Level 2 charging stations and 30 fast-charging stations. Each electric vehicle on the road in B.C. displaces four tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Eligible electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles displaying an official decal are allowed in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes throughout the province regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. In 2015, the ZEV sector in B.C. encompassed 198 companies, employed approximately 3,850 full-time equivalents, and contributed approximately $700 million in total direct economic activity. Learn More: B.C. Clean Energy Vehicle Program: CEVforBC: SCRAP-IT BC: B.C. s Climate Leadership Plan: A backgrounder follows.

4 Media Contact: Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Connect with the Province of B.C. at:

5 For Immediate Release 2017MEM Feb. 3, 2017 BACKGROUNDER Province invests in clean transportation The Government of British Columbia will contribute $40 million to support the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program. The funding is for three years ( , and ), and will be distributed as follows: $27 million will go to support continued point-of-sale purchase incentives for zeroemission vehicles (ZEVs): Purchasers or lessees of eligible electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will receive the incentives off the pre-tax, manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) at the dealer. ZEVs with a MSRP above $77,000 are not eligible for a purchase incentive from the CEV Program. Eligible vehicles and the maximum point-of-sale incentive amounts are unchanged, and as follows: Battery-electric vehicle: $5,000. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle /extended range electric vehicle with a minimum battery capacity greater than 15 kilowatt hours (kwh): $5,000. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle/extended range electric vehicle with a minimum battery capacity less than 15kWh but greater than 4kWh: $2,500. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle: $6,000. Incentives can be combined with SCRAP-IT BC incentives if a purchaser scraps an older vehicle and buys a new electric vehicle. On Feb. 1, 2017, SCRAP-IT BC incentives were increased from $3,250 to $6,000. SCRAP-IT BC also now offers incentives of $3,000 for the purchase of a used electric vehicle. $9.75 million will support expanded public, residential and workplace charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, research and economic development, public outreach, and job training, with programs to be developed by the Province and delivered by thirdparty delivery organizations selected through a competitive request-for-proposals process that will be initiated in spring, $2.5 million will go to support continued incentives for fleets to purchase or lease zeroemission specialty-use vehicles. Specialty-use vehicles include electric or hydrogen fuel cell motorcycles, low-speed utility trucks, heavy duty transport trucks, passenger buses and airport and port service vehicles. Incentives ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 depending on the type and retail price of the vehicle are provided to eligible applicants who purchase or lease an approved, new, zero-emission specialty-use vehicle.

6 $750,000 will go to SCRAP-IT BC to support incentives for a range of zero-emission transportation options when someone scraps an older vehicle: Incentives of $500 will be provided to eligible applicants for bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, car-share credits and transit passes. Government is also expanding support for the development of electric vehicle charging stations in buildings throughout the province by: Developing regulations to allow local governments to require new buildings to install adequate infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging. Developing policies to facilitate installing electric vehicle charging stations in strata buildings and developments. These regulations and policies will be developed over the coming year, and the process will include a consultation process with stakeholders. Media Contact: Suntanu Dalal Media Relations Connect with the Province of B.C. at: