End of the Roulez Vert Subsidy Program: A Reduction in Subsidies

In an announcement that took many citizens by surprise when the last provincial budget was unveiled, the government recently announced the end of the Roulez Vert subsidy program. Launched several years ago to encourage the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles, the program will officially end on January 1, 2027.

The Roulez Vert program has helped many electromobilists acquire a more environmentally-friendly car. Of course, this decision is not unanimously supported, and its effects are already being felt.

The Roulez Vert program

The Roulez Vert subsidy program is a key initiative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting more sustainable mobility. By offering financial incentives for the purchase of electric and hybrid cars, as well as motorcycles, the program has contributed to a significant increase in the number of these vehicles on our roads.

As a reminder, through the Roulez Vert program introduced in 2012, the Quebec government currently offers a rebate of up to $7,000 on the purchase or lease of a new electric vehicle. The subsidy is available to individuals, businesses, organizations and municipalities. It also offers a subsidy of $3,500 for the purchase of a used EV, and an amount ranging from $500 to $2,000 for a motorcycle.

A generous subsidy

Although the government maintains that this decision was not taken from a position of financial constraint, it turns out that the program was very costly. By the end of 2023, around $400 million had been distributed to buyers of electric and hybrid cars. Needless to say, this subsidy gave a generous boost to an impressive number of electromobilists. As of the AVEQ's last census, in October 2023, the number of EVs on Quebec roads had already exceeded the 250,000 mark, and while this is a significant number, we still have a long way to go to reach the goal of 2 million EVs by 2030 originally set by the Legault government. The government considers that the EV sector is now self-sufficient, and that the money can be used elsewhere.

Consumers now have until December 31, 2026 to take advantage of a rebate with the Roulez Vert program, since it officially ends on January 1, 2027, and until then the rebate will decrease each year.^st janvier 2027 et que d’ici cette date, le rabais diminuera chaque année.

The effects of this decision

This decision has prompted mixed reactions from the general public. While some car dealers see the news as positive and conducive to increased EV sales in the short term, the public is not necessarily thrilled by the announcement. Electric vehicles are all the rage, but the field is still "new". Although the range is increasingly diversified, buyers are still somewhat reticent about some brands. Many consumers had planned to buy an EV in the near future, but were still taking their time to choose a proven electric vehicle. With the end of the program now official and planned, pressure is already being felt by consumers who, in order to benefit from the rebate, will have to speed up their decision and transition - but at what price?

Decreasing subsidy amounts

Over the next few years, the amounts offered through this subsidy will decrease, as shown in the table below.
However, we are pleased to note that the amount of the subsidy offered for the purchase and installation of a home charging station will remain the same, even when the program no longer offers a vehicle discount. A subsidy of $600 is currently offered for the purchase and installation of a residential charging station, and this amount will remain unchanged even in January 2027. Please also note that other government subsidies are available for the purchase and installation of charging stations in condos and apartments, as well as for businesses.

A planned end

In closing, it should be remembered that the Roulez Vert program was introduced in 2012 and was due to end in 2020, but was then extended by the government until December 2026. The decision to put an end to this program is therefore not all that sudden, since it had already been planned for several years. The announcement certainly came as a surprise to many, but all good things must come to an end, and the Roulez Vert program had already been planned.

The end of the Roulez Vert program marks a new chapter in the electric transition for Quebec consumers. Will the electric transition be brutally accelerated, only to run out of steam in 2027

We hope not, since the environment is at the core of our concerns and we're working together to create a greener world, but we are aware that this reduction in rebates leading to the complete end of the subsidy is a severe blow for consumers. We are curious to see what the government's next steps will be to promote and continue to encourage an electric transition that is both efficient and attractive to citizens in the years to come.