Province taking applications for rebates for electric vehicle charging stations

File photo.

Electric car owners can now apply for a rebate of 75 per cent to help offset the cost of installing electric vehicle chargers at home.

The province is funding $1.85 million dollars as part of its Clean Energy Vehicle Program into the rebates, which covers up to $750 for a single-family home or duplex to have a level two charging station installed.

An application process has to be done first before one or more stations is purchased and installed and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For a multi-unit residential building, the rebate is also 75 per cent or up to $4,000 for a level two charging hub.

For the first time, a rebate is available at workplaces for 50 per cent of the cost up to $4,000 for a level two station.

Applications are available until March 31, 2020.

The province estimates it costs $5 to fully charge the average electric car for 150 to 300 kilometres of travel, depending on the model.

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According to the Fraser Basin Council that administers the Plug in B.C. program, there were 8,000 plug-in vehicles in B.C. last year, a 53 per cent increase from the year before.

The province already offers $5,000 rebates for a qualifying new battery electric, fuel-cell electric or hybrid electric vehicle, and up to $6,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

A $2,000 to $50,000 discount is available to help pay for eligible specialty-use vehicles, including electric motorcycles, forklifts, trucks and buses.

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