The BC Conservatives chose Earth Day to announce that it’s time to pull the plug on a program that is meant to encourage electric vehicles.
The Clean Energy Vehicles program has funded 431 hybrid-electric cars and 454 charging stations, and provides a $5,000 subsidy off the purchase of plug-in hybrid electric cars.
According to the Conservatives, the government shouldn’t be offering subsidies, as the cars already save the driver in fuel costs.
"This is yet another Liberal program that simply hasn't worked," said Conservative leader John Cummins in a release, pointing out that there are currently more charging stations than cars funded by the program. "It's time to pull the plug on this gimmick."
Cummins’ said the program has cost $14.3-million so far, including a residential charging point rebate program and a community charging infrastructure fund.
The Conservatives pledged to scrap the program if elected, saving $2.5-million in remaining funding.
