P.E.I. invests additional $1 million to get electric vehicles on roads

The P.E.I. government is increasing the Universal Electric Vehicle Incentive by

$1 million as Islanders have been actively purchasing EVs since the campaign kicked off in the spring.

In a July 16 release, government officials said an extra $1 million will get more than 100 EVs on P.E.I. roads on top of those already purchased through the program.

Prince Edward Island’s incentive is the most generous in Canada and provides P.E.I. vehicle owners with $5,000 on both new and used eligible EVs and $2,500 for plug-in hybrids. Depending on vehicle choice, many Islanders will be able to increase savings by receiving both the federal and provincial incentives.

P.E.I. Automobile Dealers Association executive director Lisa Doyle-MacBain said EV incentives have increased the demand and receive a lot of positive feedback about selections at the dealerships.

“Our manufacturers have stepped up to the plate to provide electric vehicles to dealerships in provinces with incentives,” DoyleMacBain said. “The entire auto industry is investing billions into electrification with dealers bringing over 130 new zero-emission vehicle models to market in the coming years.”

Environment Minister Steven Myers said government is making changes to make P.E.I. Canada’s first net-zero province through the Pathway to Net Zero initiative.

Currently, P.E.I. transportation accounts for 44 per cent of CO2 emissions, which is the highest in the country.

“It is great to see an increase in EVs travelling our roads. Making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable to Islanders is important and will help us achieve our climate goals,” said Myers.