If you have bought a new Tesla vehicle, you are eligible for the full $14,000 rebate, instead of just $3,000, according to new Ontario government rules. That’s for vehicles priced between $70,000 and $150,000, and it applies to electric cars purchased since January 1, reports the Globe and Mail.
The Ontario government is making a U-turn with this change in the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan, as it had already introduced incentives for electric vehicle buyers last February but capped the rebate at $3,000 with a price between $75,000 and $150,000.
Cars priced over $150,000 are no longer eligible for subsidies: If you can afford to shell out that kind of money, you “don’t need a $14,000 subsidy from the rest of us,” said Christine Van Geyn, Ontario director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Those cars are worth more than the median salary in this province. Most people in this province are driving cars worth less than the subsidy these people are given.”
That’s a rather clever move and addresses the ire of people who found that $27,690 worth of subsidies in 2015 went to five owners of the Porsche 918. That hybrid car retails for about $1.1 million.
Of course, you don’t have to buy a Tesla to take advantage of the incentive: The Hyundai Ioniq BEV, Kia Soul EV, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt, Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler Pacifica PHEV and Ford Focus BEV are also eligible for the full rebate.
The government says the changes will help it hit the goal of 5% cars sold or leased by 2020 to be electric or hydrogen powered.
