Canada visitor rebate program

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Rebates are not cheap, and some economists argue they're one of the most expensive ways to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. A September paper led by Christopher Ragan, director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, concluded there are better and cheaper ways to encourage people to use electric vehicles.

Alghabra said the first , cars rebated under the iZEV program are reducing Canada's greenhouse-gas emissions by about , tonnes a year, or about what 78, gas-powered cars produce on average over 12 months.

Electric vehicles still produce some emissions, including when plug-in hybrids use their gas engines, and if the electricity used to charge comes from fossil fuels like coal or natural gas. In his paper, Ragan said even in Quebec, where almost all electricity comes from zero-emissions hydroelectricity or wind power, the goal to get one million electric vehicles on the road by would cut emissions just 3. Wilf Steimle, president of the Electric Vehicle Society, said rebates are a short-term expense to overcome the sticker shock for some drivers until the prices become on par with gas-powered equivalents.

The price difference can vary. Analysts at BloombergNEF, which studies the energy transition, said in May they expect new electric vehicles to be cheaper, on average, than their gas-powered counterparts within five years.

Note to readers: This story has been clarified. A previous version said only four zero-emission SUV models are currently available in Canada and none of them qualify for the federal rebate program. There are, however, more than two-dozen battery and plug-in hybrid crossover SUVs, some of which are considered smaller-sized SUVs. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Receive daily headlines on local news, sports, entertainment, and more right to your inbox.

Sign up now! Edit Close. Toggle navigation. The current program has been immensely popular, but Alghabra is looking at improvements. Tags National Environment.