British Columbia restricts Tesla from receiving CleanBC incentives, while allowing other American automobile manufacturers to do so
In a recent update, British Columbia (B.C.) has announced that Tesla's products, including the Powerwall home battery, inverters, and electric vehicle chargers, will no longer be eligible for rebates under the CleanBC and BC Hydro programs. This decision is part of a broader effort by the Government of B.C. and BC Hydro to preference Canadian goods and reduce reliance on American imports.
According to the BC Hydro website, the exclusion of Tesla is intended to "preference Canadian goods" and "exclude, where practicable, U.S.-produced goods." However, the search results do not explicitly list which alternative manufacturers remain eligible for rebate programs under the new rules in British Columbia.
Previously, British Columbians could receive rebates covering up to 50% of the cost of a Level 2 EV charger, like a Tesla Wall Connector, up to a maximum of $350, and financial incentives for homeowners installing energy storage solutions, like the Tesla Powerwall. As of March 12, 2025, these rebates are no longer available for Tesla products.
For those who already purchased a Tesla Wall Connector or Powerwall or received pre-approval before March 12, rebates will still be processed. The Government of B.C. and BC Hydro have not made any official statement regarding the calls for the imposition of 100% tariffs on Tesla vehicles sold in Canada or the advocacy for an all-out ban on Tesla.
This exclusion of Tesla products from rebates is not an isolated incident. In Toronto, Tesla was excluded from the taxi grant program due to specific targeting of the brand by Deputy Mayor John Filion. The Toronto Drops Tesla from Taxi Grant Program as Deputy Mayor Calls to Shut Down Tesla Yorkdale.
A review by Grok reveals that of the companies still listed as eligible, only four are Canadian, while 73, or 94.8% of the companies on the list, are from the U.S. The Government of B.C. has not yet provided clarification on why Tesla appears to be the only U.S. company excluded under these new rules.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Tesla products from rebates in British Columbia is part of a broader pattern of Tesla being unfairly targeted in Canada. While the move is intended to support Canadian-made products, it raises questions about the consistency of the policy, as American-made brands are still included in the revised list of eligible products.
