Maxing out on electric vehicle rebates: How one man is trying to save big on a little car

When KeishinTamaki plunked down a $250 deposit to preorder a funky and futuristic electric vehicle back in 2016, he fully expected to be forking out the rest of the $19,888 sticker price upon delivery.

But thanks to three different electric vehicle rebate schemes that have since come online, Tamakifigures he could now be in a position to save big on the purchase maybe as much as$16,000 through three incentive programs.

You read that right: $16,000 back on a $20,000 purchase. In other words, total out-of-pocket expense for his brand new EV:$4,000.

"I just wanted a car," said Tamaki, an IT specialist in Vancouver. "But now that these rebates have come in, I wouldn't say I'm so much ona mission, but I'd like to see it happen that would be really cool."

Cool? Yes.Likely?No.

Because in Tamaki's case, there's a catch. Actually, several.

Production delays

For one, to qualify for EV rebates you first have to buy an EV.

Tamaki's vehicle of choice a red, three-wheeled,single-seatSoloproduced by Vancouver-based Electra Meccanica still hasn't arrived despite the original2017 target.

The company is dealing with production delays and, according to CEO Jerry Kroll, anongoing process to certify the vehicle with Transport Canada.

"These things, they don't happen overnight," Kroll said.

Problems aside, Kroll remains fervent in the belief that the Solois destined for Tesla-likesuccess,calling it a "people,planet and profit" game-changer, especially in the U.S. where the company is focused.

"Theneat thing is, 83 per cent of Americans commute by themselves in a five-person gas car.That's 140 million prospective customers in the United States, which we are already certified for," Kroll said.

"If you're going to fight global climate destruction, you've got to start with the people who are receptive and forward moving."

Tamaki is now hoping his car arrives this fall. Even with the delays, he haszero buyer's regret.

"There's no other vehicle like it, and I'm just happy to support alocal manufacturer," he said.

He'd be even happier if all three rebate incentive schemes recognized the Solo but so far, it'shit and miss.

Provincial rebate: up to $5K

The Clean Energy Vehicles for British Columbia program (CEVforBC) offers up to $5,000 backfor EVswith a manufacturer'ssuggested retail price under $77,000. The program is funded by the provincial government and supported by the New Car Dealers Association of B.C.

The Solodoesn't appear on the CEVforBC eligible vehicle list, but in April,Tamakireceived assurances from the program co-ordinator that his new car willqualify.

Unfortunately, there's another problem looming.

With so many people switching to EVs, the CEVforBC fund is quickly running out of money.

As of this writing, there was only$4.157million remaining to be handed out, with the reserve amount dropping by more than $150,000 every day.

It is possible the province will top up the program, as it did last month. But there are no guarantees.

Federal rebate: up to $5K

The federal government jumped on the EV incentive bandwagon on May 1, when it introduced its own rebate program offering up to$5,000.

The launch of the federal programcombined with the provincial programsent EV sales through the roof in B.C., according to Blair Qualey, president of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C.

"It waslike the Army and Navy shoe sale," he said. "There was this rush through the door on May 1to try to get the incentives."

Unfortunately, Tamaki won't be joining the enthusiastic hordesscooping up freefederal money. So far the Solohas not been deemed eligible for the program.

Scrapitincentive: up to $6K

The news was the samefromB.C.'s Scrapit program, which offers a maximum $6,000 incentive to scrap a high-polluting gas guzzler in exchange for an EV or other type of clean-energy vehicle.

Tamaki's1996 Honda Civic is a perfect candidate for the Scrapit program, so he has the junker side covered.

However, a Scrapit spokeswoman told him the Solo isn't eligible on the EV side because it has three wheelsinstead of four.

And even if it was eligible, it might not make a difference. Like the CEVforBC program, the Scrapitwebsite warns its pot of money is quickly running out as car buyers rush to cash in.

Rebates aside, Tamaki remains45th in line at the Vancouver Electra Meccanicadealership to receive his Solo.

The hope of getting 80 per cent of his purchase price back in rebatesremains a pipe dream.

But, he says, money was never the biggest concern when he signed up to buy the little car.

"It just madesense," he said. "I drive by myself all the time but driving around with nobody sitting with me doesn't feel right."