With the high price of gasoline, the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, and the recent natural disasters in BC fresh in everyone’s mind, many consumers may be considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV). Buyers may be eligible for an incentive rebate off the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on many new EVs and plug-in hybrids through the federal government’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program. The iZEV program launched May 1, 2019 and has garnered interest across the country. It is set to end by March 31, 2025, or earlier, if available funding runs out.
Eligible Vehicles
New passenger cars, where the base model MSRP is under $55,000 (or higher trim level models up to $65,000)
New larger zero-emission vehicles (such as station wagons, pick up trucks, SUVs, vans & mini-vans), where the base model MSRP is under $60,000 (or higher trim level models up to $70,000).
Vehicles are still eligible even where additional costs (delivery, freight, accessories, options) cause their total price to exceed these MSRP limits.
Note: eligible EVs that are test-drive/demonstrator vehicles at dealerships may qualify as long as the odometer reads less than 10,000 kilometres (km).
Find out if your desired vehicle qualifies on Transport Canada’s list of eligible vehicles.
Two Levels of Federal Incentives
Battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or longer-range plug-in hybrid are eligible for a rebate of up to $5,000;
Shorter-range plug-in hybrid EVs are eligible for a rebate of up to $2,500;
Range is determined based on the plug-in hybrid EVs electric-only range in kms. Longer-range plug-in hybrid EVs must have an electric-only range of at lease 50 kms. Plug-in hybrid EVs with less than 50 kms electric-only range are considered short-range.
Full rebates are available on purchase, or with a long-term (48-month) lease. Shorter leases of at least 12 months are eligible for a prorated rebate.
Best of all, the discount received through the iZEV program is applied directly by the dealership at the point of sale or lease. The iZEV incentive is applied after the applicable sales taxes are determined. Individuals are eligible for one iZEV incentive per calendar year.
EVs for your Business
Businesses purchasing or leasing new EVs can also take advantage of the iZEV program by applying the rebate at the time of purchase or lease. Businesses are eligible for up to 10 such incentives per calendar year.
For purchased vehicles, the net cost would be available to businesses to depreciate under the normal rules, $30,000 capital cost limit and rates of depreciation applicable to passenger vehicle classes. Alternatively, businesses can opt to forgo government rebates and instead utilize one of the new depreciation classes for EVs introduced in the 2019 federal budget.
The new classes for zero-emission vehicles offer an enhanced write-off of up to 100% in the first year of ownership, up to $59,000 plus tax, subject to class-specific rules. Depending on the class, any remaining balance can be expensed at 30% or 40%. Before choosing this full write-off option, be aware of the tax cost of greater recaptured depreciation that may apply at disposal. Recapture occurs when the vehicle is disposed of for more than its undepreciated balance with the result that previously expensed depreciation is brought back into income for tax purposes. The 100% write-off option is set to phase out beginning 2024.
For GST/HST purposes, the usual cost limit of $34,000 on which GST/HST may be recovered through input tax credits is similarly increased to $59,000 for EVs used for business.
Determining which option is optimal for your business will depend on the class of the EV for depreciation and the intended lifespan of its business-use. Your DFK accountant can help you assess which option makes the most sense for your business.
Provincial Incentives
In addition to the federal incentives, residents of Ontario and Quebec should be aware of the additional incentives that may be available to them:
Ontario Residents
The Ontario provincial rebate program for EV purchases was cancelled in 2018 shortly after the Ford government was elected that year. At the time, the Ontario program offered rebates of up to $14,000 for fully-electric vehicles. With Premier Ford now making a strong push for the electric vehicle industry in Ontario, it will be interesting to see if provincial rebates are reintroduced following his latest majority win at the June 2022 election.
Quebec Residents
Residents of Quebec are currently eligible for rebates of up to $8,000 on the purchase or lease of a new electric vehicle with a MSRP below $60,000 (these limits are set to change to $7000 and $65,000, respectively, effective July 1, 2022). Other rebates apply to the purchase of used EVs, and charging stations for homes, multi-unit buildings and businesses.
Other Provinces
British Columbia’s incentives include a $3,000 rebate on new battery EVs, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles, a rebate for trading in certain gas-powered vehicles on acquiring an EV, and a rebate for home charging stations.
The incentives in New Brunswick include rebates of $5,000 for new and $2,500 for used EVs, and rebates for home and commercial charging stations.
Nova Scotia has rebates of up to $3,000 for new and up to $2,000 for used EVs. They also have a $500 rebate for new e-bikes.
Prince Edward Island offers rebates of $5,000 for new and $2,500 for used EVs, and you can get a free level-2 home charging station (you pay for installation). P.E.I. also has a $500 rebate for new e-bikes.
In Newfoundland & Labrador, you can get a provincial rebate of $2,500 for a new EV or $1,500 for a used one.
Finally, in the Yukon, there is a $5,000 rebate on new EVs, and a 50% rebate up to $750 for the purchase and installation of a level-2 home charging station.
Other Costs to Consider
While regular trips to the gas pump will become a thing of the past when purchasing an EV, there are some other up-front costs to keep in mind. All EVs can be charged using a standard plug, but this approach takes a long time. For a faster charge, a level-2 charger is recommended for home use. The cost of a charger and installation can be a few thousand dollars. Check to make sure your home’s electrical panel can handle the new high-voltage demand. Often, homes with a 100-amp panel will require an upgrade to 200 amps. There are many different options out there for setting up your home charging station so do the research to see which one fits your needs and circumstances. More details on charging options can be found on the Plug’n Drive website.
