The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change:

I am pleased to rise to share updates on the Provincial Government’s successful Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program.

Electric vehicles play an important role in the transition to a cleaner environment and a low-carbon economy. The number of battery electric vehicles in the province has increased more than 1,000 per cent since 2018.

The rebate program is intended to increase accessibility for residents seeking to obtain an electric vehicle. The program provides a $2,500 rebate for consumers who purchase or lease an all-electric vehicle, and a $1,500 rebate for the purchase or lease of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Budget 2024 includes $875,000 to support the continuation of the program. It also includes $1.1 million to support EV infrastructure.

In 2023-24, 750 rebates (458 battery electric and 292 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) were approved. And I am pleased to say there is an average of two new electric vehicles on the road in the province every day. Over the past three years since program inception, about 1,300 rebates have been issued.

Switching to an EV means reducing greenhouse gas emissions, burning less fossil fuels and, overall, less pollution for the environment. With an EV, consumers can save approximately 70 per cent in energy costs for an all-electric and around 50 per cent for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, depending on factors such as the number of kilometres driven, fuel prices and the type of vehicle.

Speaker, our government remains committed to supporting significant investments and initiatives to reduce this province’s carbon footprint.

Thank you.