Whereas a key part of the CleanBC program is Move. Commute. Connect., an active transportation strategy with the goal to make it easier for people to commute to work or school using active transportation methods in order to cut down on carbon pollution and help improve the liability of our communities; And whereas the CleanBC program also includes the CEVforBC program that provides rebates of up to 8,000 for the purchase of a new electric or plug-in hybrid automobile, recognizing that incentives to alternatives to gasoline vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and makes our communities cleaner, safer, and more livable; And whereas recent advances in technology have resulted in a new generation of electric-assist cycles that make cycling more accessible to more people for their daily commutes and shopping and recreation trips, allowing people to make more efficient, GHG-free and healthy transportation choices; And whereas there is no public policy or community benefit to incentivizing the purchase of electric automobiles that is not achieved in a greater extent by incentivizing the purchase of electric-assist cycles: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to expand the clean energy vehicle program to include financial incentives for the purchase of electric-assist cycles in scale with the incentives provided for the purchase of electric automobiles.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Through CleanBC, we are helping British Columbians to make the switch to cleaner transportation options. In July 2020, the province provided additional funds to increase e-bike rebates up to 1,050 for people who scrap a vehicle through the Scrap-It transportation options program an increase of 200 from the previous year. Scrap-It rebates have been offered through the Ministry since 2017. By accessing rebates on e-bikes through scrapped vehicles, British Columbians are helping us ensure that we meet our emissions reductions targets. By requiring that a vehicle is scrapped in order to receive the e-bike rebate, the resulting emission reductions are definite. In addition, under the CleanBC Go Electric Specialty Use Vehicle Incentive program, we have introduced a pilot project that enables a rebate of up to 1,700 for business owners toward the purchase of a cargo e-bike, which are particularly efficient in delivering materials and goods in a way that reduces operation costs and emissions for businesses. The cargo e-bike rebate was introduced to help support business who are transitioning their product delivery and distribution away from large polluting delivery vehicles. This rebate helps to offset the higher cost of commercial grade e-cargo bikes and reduces the use of fossil fuels in BC. The e-bike rebate expansions are in pilot phase and we welcome input from local governments on these rebates.