British Columbia has axed Tesla from its charger rebate program.
Normally, B.C.’s rebates cover up 50 per cent of the cost of purchase and installation of a home charger. However, the official B.C. Hydro website has been updated to state that Tesla’s electric vehicle chargers, energy storage batteries and inverters are no longer eligible for CleanBC and BC Hydro rebates as of March 12. Those who purchased or received pre-approval for their Tesla products before this date will still qualify.
“The Government of B.C. and BC Hydro are taking action to preference Canadian goods in our rebate programs going forward and to exclude, where practicable, U.S. produced goods,” reads a message on the website. In a press conference, B.C. Premier David Eby noted that this comes in response to the tariffs imposed on Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that they’re “a profound mistake and are hurting families on both sides of the border.” He added that “every option is on the table” for his government to fight the tariffs.
“Trump has no regard for the chaos that he has been causing because we feel this is part of his strategy to hurt the Canadian economy and to force us into his vision of annexation to the United States of America, redrawing our borders and access to our water,” said Eby.
Therefore, it makes sense that Eby would single out Tesla, given the close connection between the automaker’s CEO, Elon Musk, and the Trump administration. Besides being a top Trump ally who helped get him re-elected, Musk also leads the U.S. “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). Trump was even hawking Tesla cars on the White House lawn earlier this week.
Of course, Eby isn’t alone in his issue with Musk; hundreds of thousands of Canadians have also signed a parliamentary e-petition to revoke the South African-born business mogul’s Canadian citizenship, which he got through his Regina-born mother. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also pledged to cancel the province’s $100 million deal with Musk’s SpaceX over Starlink internet connectivity.
Via: Daily Hive Vancouver
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