How To Get Your Electric Car Rebate in Canada

Select your province below, or continue reading to learn more about how the government’s EV rebate program works, including vehicle eligibility:

• British Columbia
• Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Ontario, Alberta, Nunavut, Saskatchewan

With climate change and fuel prices constantly in the headlines, more and more drivers are thinking about the possibility of an electrified vehicle, whether it’s battery-only or a hybrid. And depending on the vehicle you’re getting and where you live, you may be eligible for EV rebates from your province, in addition to money back from the federal government.

Most of the major automakers are offering some version of an electrified vehicle, or will introduce one in the near future. They’re paying close attention to a growing segment of consumers who want to go electric, whether it’s for the fuel savings, environmental concerns, or just the desire to drive something that’s technologically advanced. 

The term “electrified vehicle” indicates anything that incorporates an electric motor, but they’re not all the same. Battery-powered electric vehicles (BEV) run solely on electricity. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are electric vehicles that make their own electricity using an onboard supply of hydrogen – but they’re very rare, since there isn’t much hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Hybrid vehicles (HEV) use a gasoline engine and electric motor. Most can run on gas, electricity, or a combination of the two, but they don’t get plugged in. Here's a closer look at how hybrids work. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are hybrids with extra battery capacity. When they’re plugged in and charged, they can run on that stored electrical power alone. Once it runs down, they revert to gas-electric operation.

Provincial and federal rebates are available on BEVs, FCEVs and PHEVs, but not on regular hybrids. Most have some restrictions, but if your car qualifies, you can potentially take a big chunk off the sticker price. We have a step-by-step guide on what you need to know to lighten your carbon load and save cash at the same time.

EV rebates Canada

The Canadian government operates the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program, which offers up to $5,000 in rebates when you buy or lease an eligible vehicle. The program began in 2019 and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2025, or until the available funding runs out. 

The iZEV eligibility price cap depends on the type of vehicle. For a passenger car, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the base model must be less than $55,000, while higher-priced trims of that vehicle can be eligible up to a maximum MSRP of $65,000. For pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, special-purpose vehicles or station wagons, the base model must be $60,000 or less, while higher-priced trims are eligible up to an MSRP of $70,000. 

BEVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and PHEVs with a battery-only range of 50 km or more qualify for up to $5,000; while PHEVs with a range under 50 km qualify for $2,500. For leased vehicles, the full rebates apply to 48-month leases, and will be adjusted for 12-, 24- or 36-month leases, with rebates between $625 and $3,750. Only new vehicles qualify, including demonstrators (a demo vehicle that buyers can test-drive, provided the odometer reads less than 10,000 km). Consumers are eligible for one rebate per calendar year.

Region	Maximum Rebate
Alberta	$5,000
British Columbia	$9,000
Ontario	$5,000
Prince Edward Island	$10,000
Quebec	$12,000
Manitoba	$5,000
New Brunswick	$10,000
Nova Scotia	$8,000
Newfoundland & Labrador	$7,500
Northwest Territories	$5,000
Nunavut	$5,000
Saskatchewan	$5,000
Yukon	$10,000

The table above combines the maximum federal rebate of $5,000, along with the maximum provincial/territorial rebate. The federal government’s rebate is considered “stackable” with all provincial/territorial rebates, but vehicle eligibility may differ between the federal program and some of the provincial programs.

British Columbia

British Columbia offers up to $4,000 if you purchase or lease a BEV or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. PHEVs are eligible for up to $4,000 if their battery-only range is 85 km or more; if it’s below that, you can get up to $2,000. The eligibility price cap mirrors that of the federal government’s program, between $55,000 and $70,000. You can only apply for a rebate once, no matter how many vehicles you buy, and the exact rebate amount depends on your income. 

You can qualify for up to 50% of the cost of buying and installing a Level 2 home charger to a maximum of $350. If you buy a qualifying used BEV, PHEV or fuel cell vehicle, you won’t pay provincial sales tax on it. Here's more on the BC rebates for new EVs and chargers.

BC also offers a program called SCRAP-IT. If you scrap your old gas-guzzling vehicle under the program, you can receive a rebate of up to $500 on a qualifying new or used BEV, or up to $400 on a new or used PHEV. If you don’t want that, you can instead get a rebate for an electric bike purchase, transit passes, car share credits, or take cash.

Quebec

Quebec drivers qualify for up to $7,000 when buying or leasing a BEV or fuel cell vehicle. Depending on the size and range of the battery, PHEV rebates are up to $300, $2,500, or $5,000. You may apply for up to three vehicle rebates each year. The maximum MSRP to qualify for a rebate has increased to $65,000 from $60,000, but if you purchased or leased a vehicle prior to the increase, you may be eligible for the rebate. Quebec also offers $600 against the purchase and installation of a Level 2 home charging station. Here's more on Quebec's new vehicle rebate.

New Brunswick

Under the Plug-In NB program, new BEVs are eligible for a rebate of up to $5,000, as are PHEVs with a battery range of up to 50 km. PHEVs with lower range are eligible up to $2,500. If you buy used, you can get up to $2,500 for a BEV and up to $1,000 for a PHEV. On leased new BEVs or PHEVs, the full amount of the rebate applies on 48-month leases, and is adjusted for 12-, 24- or 36-month leases. 

The province’s price cap is the same as the federal government’s, with maximum MSRPs between $55,000 and $70,000 depending on the vehicle type and trim. Used vehicles must be purchased from a dealer, not bought privately, and must not have had a previous provincial rebate. The province also rebates 50% of the purchase and installation of a Level 2 home charger to a maximum of $750.

Nova Scotia

The Electrify Nova Scotia Rebate Program provides rebates of up to $3,000 on BEVs and PHEVs with a range of 50 km or more, while PHEVs with lower range qualify for up to $2,000. The price cap and vehicle eligibility mirror that of the federal government’s, with maximum MSRPs between $55,000 and $70,000 depending on vehicle type and trim. Leased vehicles qualify for the entire rebate on 48-month leases, and are adjusted for 12-, 24- or 36-month leases.

Used BEVs are eligible for a $2,000 rebate, while all used PHEVs, regardless of range, qualify for $1,000. The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer and not received a rebate previously, and it must be bought, not leased. 

Prince Edward Island

PEI offers a rebate of up to $5,000 for BEVs, and up to $2,500 for a PHEV regardless of its range. Used vehicles qualify for the same amounts, providing their purchase price is $55,000 or less. Leased vehicles qualify for the full amount on 48-month leases, and adjusted for 12-, 24- or 36-month leases. Vehicle eligibility mirrors that of the federal government’s, with maximum MSRPs between $55,000 and $70,000 depending on vehicle type and trim. Once you have received the vehicle rebate, the provincial government will give you a Level 2 home charger, although the installation costs are your responsibility.

Newfoundland & Labrador

The NL Hydro EV Rebate program offers $2,500 for the purchase of a new or used BEV, and $1,500 for a new or used PHEV regardless of its range. Leased vehicles qualify but the lease must be a minimum of 48 months. Used vehicles must be purchased from a licenced dealer, not bought privately. There is no price cap on new or used vehicles to qualify, but the program is limited-time and rebate applications will only be accepted until March 15, 2023 or until the program fund is depleted.

Yukon

Yukon offers a $5,000 rebate for new BEVs, fuel cell vehicles, and PHEVs with a range of 50 km or more, and $3,000 for PHEVs with a range less than 50 km. Most provinces require the vehicle to be bought within its borders, but eligible vehicles can be bought in-province or imported. Leased vehicles qualify for the full rebate at 36 months, and are adjusted for shorter terms. Pickup trucks must have an MSRP below $70,000 for the base trim, while all other vehicles must be below $60,000. A rebate is available for 50% of the purchase and installation of a Level 2 home charger to a maximum of $750.

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories did offer a $5,000 rebate on new BEVs and PHEVs, plus a $500 rebate for a Level 2 home charger, but it applied only to residents in nine communities that use hydroelectricity. The program has been paused but may reopen if funding is approved. 

Ontario EV Rebates - along with Alberta, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan

These four don’t offer provincial or territorial EV rebates. Ontario was previously the most generous of all, offering up to $14,000, but the Conservative government cancelled all provincial rebates when it came into power in 2018, and saw EV sales plummet afterwards. However, there is a rebate of up to $2,000 available for used fully electric vehicle purchases combined with a scrappage incentive being offered by a non-profit group called Plug ‘N Drive. The Ontario government site talks more about low carbon vehicles and electric vehicles here.

Alberta doesn’t offer rebates to consumers, but it does to municipal fleets – including for electric ice resurfacing vehicles for hockey rinks!

EV rebates for commerical use

Collecting your rebate is easy, and in most cases, the dealership is responsible for submitting the paperwork when you purchase or lease your vehicle (car buyers in Newfoundland and Labrador must apply directly for the provincial rebate). 

For businesses looking to buy an electric vehicle for commercial purposes, such as a travelling sales rep or delivery driver, Canada offers a full tax write-off for certain ZEVs in the year they are put into commercial use. The tax write-off is limited to $55,000, plus federal and provincial taxes paid.

What are the cheapest, iZEV-approved electric vehicles?

Now that you know all about iZEV-eligible vehicles and your rebate entitlements, check out some of the cheapest electric cars in Canada right now. Or if you’re considering a pre-owned EV, read our guide to buying a used electric vehicle, or our guide to buying a used hybrid electric vehicle.