The British Columbia government is renewing its efforts to increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption by relaunching its $7 million EV charger rebate program, aiming to achieve 100% EV sales by 2035. This aggressive target has garnered some skepticism, particularly from industry experts who question the feasibility of meeting such high demand. Brandon Kot, vice-president of the Kot Auto Group, highlights concerns regarding the availability of EV supply from manufacturers to meet the rising demand. Additionally, affordability remains a significant barrier, with the average price of fully electric vehicles currently sitting around $73,000. However, Daniel Ross, senior manager of industry insights at Canadian Black Book, anticipates a decrease in prices as the EV market matures and technology costs are amortized. Despite the challenges, Glenn Garry, president of the Victoria Electric Vehicle Association, emphasizes the role of government incentives in making EVs more accessible to consumers. B.C. offers rebates of up to $4,000, in addition to the federal government's $5,000 incentive, which can significantly reduce the purchase price of an EV. Manufacturers are also working to expand inventory and supply to meet the growing demand, with entry-level EVs like the Hyundai Kona starting at $46,800 after rebates. Meeting the province's ambitious EV sales target will require concerted efforts from both government and industry stakeholders to address affordability and supply challenges in the coming years.
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