Tesla tells customers B.C. EV rebate program has run out

British Columbians hoping to get a Tesla electric vehicle (EV) have been sent an inaccurate message about the province’s rebate program, according to the B.C. government.

The information has caused headaches for some hoping to get a new car.

Luis Amor says he was notified his Tesla Model Y was ready for pickup on Tuesday after he placed an order three weeks prior. Two hours before he was supposed to pick up his new wheels, he says he received a message from the automaker that the $2,000 he was hoping to get from the rebate to help pay for the car was unavailable.

“The bank draft had been made, the price had been settled on, and now it’s up in the air,” Amor told CityNews.

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The message Amor received from Tesla states the CleanBC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program had “run out of funds,” adding he can either forgo the rebate or postpone the delivery “until the government notifies us they have updated the program.”

“We understand this is not the seamless experience we strive for and apologize (sic) the change to your delivery. We hope the provincial government provides more clear direction in the coming days,” the message reads.

The message sent to Tesla customers saying B.C.’s EV rebate program has run out. The ministry that oversees the program says the message was sent without consultation. (Supplied)

The Port Coquitlam man says he had been looking to make the switch to an electric vehicle for some time.

“I’ve been holding my gas-guzzler for two years now waiting for an EV to come in,” he said.

B.C. says Tesla message sent without consultation

However, the provincial ministry that oversees the EV rebate program says Tesla’s message was not accurate.

In a statement to CityNews, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation says, “Tesla’s high volume of rebate applications in a short amount of time has rapidly decreased the prior funding in the program, and triggered the system to flag that there is no guarantee of reimbursement.”

“Tesla appears to have sent a notification to its customers and salespeople prior to checking in with the Ministry. Ministry staff have clarified for Tesla that the CleanBC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program has NOT run out of funds, and we plan to deliver rebates to B.C. zero-emission vehicles customers for the entire year, as planned,” the statement reads.

Information shared with CityNews that tells dealerships how much money is available through the CleanBC program shows that,* as of Tuesday, there were $481,564 worth of rebate funds available. The data also shows there have been over $210 million worth of funds dispersed, while just under $21 million worth of funds are “reserved.”

The ministry adds the rebate program is changing its funding source to BC Hydro revenues that come from the sale of Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits.

The CleanBC program has been in place since 2011, intended to incentivize people to switch to zero-emission vehicles. The program has been expanded several times in the years since, with rebates of up to $4,000 currently available.

Amor, meantime, feels that he has been left in limbo when it comes to getting his new ride.

“I’m going to have to reassess the whole situation now,” he said.

CityNews has reached out to Tesla for comment.