Tips for the electric vehicle buying process

How to buy your EV quickly and easily

Most people will agree that buying any new car can be a long and confusing process. But what if you're buying an electric vehicle (EV)? By being flexible and planning ahead, it can actually be relatively quick and easy.

Payment options

Cash, finance or lease?

Decide how you want to pay for your EV. If you're financing or leasing, use the numbers on the manufacturer's website to do some rough calculations ahead of visiting the dealership. Don't forget to subtract your average monthly maintenance and gas costs for your current gas-powered vehicle from the monthly EV cost (including tax) for a ballpark figure of what your new EV might cost overall. Depending on your current gas costs, you might find you can save quite a lot – or be able to afford a more expensive vehicle than you thought.

Where to buy

Find a dealership

As mentioned on our test drive page, you can shop for an EV at an EV-only dealership such as Tesla or Polestar, or at a dealership that sells both EVs and gas-powered vehicles.

Not sure which EV will suit your needs? Use our search tool to browse the different EV models available in B.C. You can filter by price, kilometre range, seating capacity, manufacturer and more.

Once you short-list your favourites, contact a dealership to find out whether they carry your preferred vehicle. Then, book your test drive.

Be flexible

Or be prepared to wait a bit

EVs are in huge demand at the moment, so a very specific vehicle might take time to locate. If you're prepared to wait, that's fine. But if you need your EV right away, you might need to be flexible about the details.

HOV lane decal

Get your application ready to go

You may have seen EVs displaying a white OK decal. EVs displaying this decal can travel in the HOV lane with just one passenger unless otherwise indicated. So while you're waiting for the dealer to find your ideal EV, get your OK decal application ready so you can submit it the moment your new car arrives.

Install a charger

Get a home charger fitted

Yes, it sounds obvious, but if you're permitted to install a home charger, why not get it done before your vehicle arrives so that you can charge up right away?

Rebates available for select smart EV chargers. Learn more about the EV charger rebate program.

EV incentives

Save up to $9,000 on a new vehicle

B.C. residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and local government organizations may be eligible for incentives when purchasing or leasing qualifying new electric vehicles: one worth up to $4,000 from the Government of B.C.'s CleanBC Go Electric Program and another worth up to $5,000 from the federal government. These are applied directly to the pre-tax sticker price by the dealership. Pre-approval for provincial rebates is required.

Find out more about EV rebates and incentives in B.C.

In addition to these, you may be eligible for SCRAP-IT, a program that offers incentives to use towards the cost of buying an EV in B.C. and other low-carbon forms of transportation when you scrap your existing gas-powered vehicle. The incentives apply to purchases of both new and used EVs.

Visit SCRAP-IT for full program details.