Starting February 24, 2021, Nova Scotian residents and eligible organizations who purchase or lease an eligible vehicle or e-bike are entitled to receive rebates.

Yes, rebates are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and will remain available until the program budget is exhausted or the program is terminated. We require applications to be received within 30 days of purchase.

No, the e-bike must be paid in full to receive the rebate. 

Starting April 1, 2021, EV dealerships and e-bike retailers may choose to offer rebates at point-of-sale, at their discretion. Where dealerships and retailers offer the instant rebate option, they will be responsible for completing all required documentation.

If you purchased an eligible EV or e-bike between February 24th and March 31, or if you purchased after April 1st from a dealership or retailer that doesn’t offer the instant rebate option, you can receive your rebate by completing an application and submitting the supporting documents detailed in the application instructions. We will review the application to confirm eligibility and issue you a cheque for your rebate. Assuming the application is complete and the purchase was eligible, we will post a cheque to you within 30 days of receiving your application.

No, only vehicles purchased or leased within Nova Scotia from a licensed dealer are eligible.

Once you complete your online registration you will receive instructions detailing how to submit an application to be reimbursed for rebates.

As of March 31, 2022, the table below outlines the number of rebates paid out and the number of rebates remaining. Please note that the number and value of the rebates are determined by the Province of Nova Scotia and any changes must be approved by the Province. As rebates are paid on a first come, first served basis these numbers are not stagnant and can change based on the rate of uptake. This table is updated monthly and is only accurate to the date noted above. 

As of April 25 2022, there is a new definition of a short-range and long-range PHEV. 

Ranges of PHEVs is now based on electric range in kilometres (km). PHEVs with an electric range of 50 km or more are considered “long-range”, PHEVs under 50km are considered “short-range”.

The rebate for new electric vehicles will apply to the same makes and models as in the Government of Canada iZEV program.

1. Passenger vehicles where
   1. the base model MSRP is less than $55,000; and
   2. higher priced versions of these cars, up to a maximum MSRP of $65,000

2. Station wagons, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, minivans, vans, and special purpose vehicles where:
   1. the base model MSRP is less than $60,000; and
   2. higher priced versions of these vehicles, up to a maximum MSRP of $70,000

Specifically, the rebate will apply to:

1. Please see the list of eligible vehicles available from the iZEV program.

In all cases, to be eligible for a new electric vehicle rebate, all vehicles must also:

1. meet all federal and provincial motor vehicle safety standards;
2. be intended for use on public streets, roads, and highways; and
3. have at least four functioning wheels and be highway capable (e.g., not a low-speed vehicle).

Note that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and electric motorcycles, scooters and off-road vehicles are not eligible for rebates.

Important: Transport Canada adjusts this list from time to time and reserves the right to take models off the list at any time. Any changes to the list from Transport Canada will be effective in Nova Scotia immediately upon publication of the changes by Transport Canada.

• $3,000 for BEVs and long-range PHEVs with six (6) seats or fewer, where the base model MSRP is less than $45,000, or BEVs and long-range PHEVs with seven (7) seats or greater, where the base model MSRP is less than $55,000, up to a max of $60,000 for higher-priced trims.

• $2,000 for short-range PHEVs with six (6) seats or fewer, where the base model MSRP is less than $45,000, or short-range PHEVs with seven (7) seats or greater, where the base model MSRP is less than $55,000, up to a max of $60,000 for higher-priced trims.

Important: The Government of Nova Scotia is mandating that lessors retain their vehicle for a minimum of 12 months, or they will have to repay a prorated portion of the rebate.

Individuals can only get one new vehicle rebate in a calendar year.

Businesses, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits can get up to 10 new vehicle rebates in a calendar year.

Businesses, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits can get up to 10 new vehicle rebates and 10 used vehicle rebates per calendar year.

Conversely, vehicles with lower battery capacity are defined as short range, and are eligible for a $2,000 rebate for qualifying models.

Specifically, the rebate will apply to:

1. vehicles with six (6) seats or fewer, where the base model (trim) Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is less than $45,000
   • higher priced versions (trims) of these vehicles, up to a maximum MSRP of $55,000, will also be eligible for a rebate; and
2. vehicles with seven (7) seats or greater, where the base model MSRP is less than $55,000
   • higher priced versions (trims) of these vehicles, up to a maximum MSRP of $60,000, will also be eligible for a rebate.

Please see the list of eligible vehicles available from the iZEV program.

In all cases, to be eligible for a new electric vehicle rebate, all vehicles must also:

1. meet all federal and provincial motor vehicle safety standards;
2. be intended for use on public streets, roads, and highways; and
3. have at least four functioning wheels and be highway capable (e.g., not a low-speed vehicle).

Note that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and electric motorcycles, scooters and off-road vehicles are not eligible for rebates. 

Important: Transport Canada adjusts this list from time to time and reserves the right to take models off the list at any time. Any changes to the list from Transport Canada will be effective in Nova Scotia immediately upon publication of the changes by Transport Canada.

There are two levels of rebate for new electric vehicles:

• $3,000 for BEVs and long-range PHEVs passenger cars where the base model MSRP is less than $55,000 for base model, up to a maximum of $65,000 for higher-priced trims or BEVs and long-range PHEVs Station wagons, pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, vans, and special purpose vehicles, where the base model MSRP is less than $60,000 for base model, up to a maximum of $70,000 for higher-priced trims.   

• $2,000 for short-range PHEV passenger cars where the base model MSRP is less than $55,000 for base model, up to a maximum of $65,000 for higher-priced trims, or short-range PHEV station wagons, pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, vans, and special purpose vehicles, where the base model MSRP is less than $60,000, up to a max of $70,000 for higher-priced trims.

Important: The Government of Nova Scotia is mandating that lessors retain their vehicle for a minimum of 12 months, or they will have to repay a prorated portion of the rebate.

Individuals can only get one new vehicle rebate in a calendar year.

Businesses, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits can get up to 10 new vehicle rebates in a calendar year.

Businesses, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits can get up to 10 new vehicle rebates and 10 used vehicle rebates per calendar year.

1. $2,000 for BEVs that retail for between $10,000 and $55,000, regardless of the original MSRP; and
2. $1,000 for PHEVs that retail for between $10,000 and $40,000, regardless of the original MSRP.

Note that the Government of Nova Scotia also does not distinguish between “long-range” and “short-range” PHEVs as in the federal iZEV program. All eligible used PHEVs, regardless of original battery capacity, qualify for a $1,000 rebate.

However, a used electric vehicle that has already had the Nova Scotia used rebate applied will not be eligible for a second (i.e., one used rebate per Vehicle Identification Number).

Businesses, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits can get up to 10 new vehicle rebates and 10 used vehicle rebates per calendar year.

• the e-bike retails for at least $1,200, inclusive of sales and discounts, but exclusive of taxes and delivery fees;
• the electric motor must be 500 watts or less and be capable of propelling the cycle no faster than 32 km/h on level ground without pedaling;
• the motor must disengage when the operator: (a) stops pedaling, or (b) releases the accelerator or (c) applies a brake;
• the motor cannot be gas- or diesel-powered;
• the e-bike must be capable of being propelled by muscular power using the pedals, but it is not necessary to always be pedaling; and
• The vehicle must meet any other conditions in the Motor Vehicle Act and regulations (R.S., c. 293, s. 1).

The e-bike must be purchased new from a retailer with a physical storefront in Nova Scotia (this includes both independent retailers as well as local outlets of chain stores).

E-bikes ordered from third-party, online retailers such as Amazon and Alibaba.com and individual private sellers are not eligible for a rebate.

In addition, adaptive e-cycles with other configurations (e.g., more than 3 wheels) may also be eligible for rebates. Please contact the Program Administrator for assistance in vetting eligibility. For ease of reference, where e-bikes are referred to, the term includes e-trikes and other eligible configurations as well.

Electric unicycles are not eligible.

Yes, rebates are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and will remain available until the program budget is exhausted or the program is terminated. We require applications to be received within 30 days of purchase.