Government incentives for EVs are inadequate, unreliable, or inaccessible to many buyers — particularly those purchasing used vehicles or living in provinces without strong provincial programs.
Incentive programs have varied considerably over time and across jurisdictions, and program changes have sometimes created uncertainty for buyers. The federal iZEV program, which offered rebates of up to $5,000 on eligible new EVs, was paused in early 2025 after its budget was exhausted ahead of schedule — a sign of both program popularity and funding limitations. Provincial programs are inconsistent: Quebec and BC offer substantial additional rebates, while other provinces offer little or nothing.
What remains true is that the economics of EV ownership are favourable even without incentives in many cases. The Vincentric analysis found that even without any government rebate, 18 of 23 EVs studied still had a lower total cost of ownership than their gasoline equivalents. Incentive programs help — sometimes significantly — but they are not the only factor making EVs financially competitive.
For buyers in provinces with active programs, the combined federal-provincial incentive can reduce the effective purchase price by $10,000 or more, fully closing the gap with gasoline alternatives. Buyers are encouraged to research current federal and provincial offerings at the time of purchase, as programs evolve frequently.