Tesla products have been officially removed from British Columbia’s Electric Vehicle (EV) rebate program for chargers and battery storage. Effective March 12, 2025, Tesla chargers, batteries, and inverters no longer qualify for rebates under the CleanBC and BC Hydro programs, as stated on the program’s website.
For those who purchased a Tesla product or received pre-approval before the cutoff date, they will still receive their rebate. However, for any new purchases post-March 12, the full cost will be out of pocket. This includes popular items like the Tesla Wall Connector, which previously had installation costs covered up to 50%, up to $350 CAD.
The decision to exclude Tesla products from the rebate program is seen as a move to support Canadian-made products and reduce reliance on goods from the United States. Premier David Eby expressed his strong sentiments, stating, “I think that if British Columbians heard that $10,000 of taxpayer money was going to Elon Musk, they’d wanna throw up.”
This change comes amidst an escalation in tariff disputes. B.C. liquor stores have also ceased selling U.S. liquor from states with Republican governors. Additionally, trade tensions between Canada and China have led to heavy tariffs being imposed on both sides, with Canada imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs and China responding with tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.
The Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island in British Columbia have high concentrations of Tesla vehicles, making the exclusion of Tesla products from the rebate program particularly noteworthy. Interestingly, other U.S. charging brands still qualify for the rebates, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
As the landscape of trade and tariffs continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these decisions will impact consumers and the market for electric vehicles and related products.