Are you discouraged by long delivery times for electric vehicles and don’t want to wait? Maybe you should consider a used model!
Granted, you won’t get the best battery life and latest technology available, but you might still find a copy that meets your needs and budget.
Speaking of money, did you know that buyers of used electric vehicles are also entitled to a subsidy from the Quebec government under the Roulez vert program? Since July 1, 2022, the amount is $3,500 (previously $4,000), half the discount given to those who choose a new model.
It is possible to obtain this rebate from the dealer. If the latter does not offer it to you on your contract, you can choose to send the request to the Roulez vert program yourself.
Of course, not all used electric vehicles qualify. Certain criteria must be met:
- Be purchased from a car dealership with an establishment in Quebec;
- Be registered for the first time in Quebec (therefore from outside Quebec) and have never received a new vehicle rebate under the Roulez vert program;
- Be registered in the name of the applicant;
- Be equipped with a battery with a capacity of 4 kWh or more;
- Be associated with a make, model and version of the most recent equivalent new vehicle with an MSRP of less than $60,000 if the used vehicle is registered on or after April 1, 2020;
- Be three or four years old, depending on its model year relative to the calendar year of its date of registration in the applicant’s name;
- Have an original new vehicle warranty honored in Quebec, which includes the criteria applicable to the battery;
- Be inspected to assess the residual capacity of the battery compared to the initial capacity.
Based on the criteria that the vehicle must be three or four years old, only 2019 and 2020 models are currently eligible. Here is what the list looks like:
- BMW i3 2019-2020 (excluding i3 REX)
- BMW i3s 2020
- BYD E6 2020
- 2019-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Hyundai IONIQ electric 2019-2020
- 2019-2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
- Kia Niro EV 2019-2020
- 2019-2020 Kia Soul EV
- 2020 MINI Cooper SE
- 2019-2020 Nissan LEAF
- smart fortwo electric drive 2019-2020
- 2019 Tesla Model 3 (Medium Range or Extended Range)
- Tesla Model 3 2020 (Standard Range and Standard Range Plus)
- Volkswagen e-Golf 2019-2020
Note that used Kia, smart and Volkswagen electric vehicles from the United States are not eligible, as the original new vehicle warranty is not honored when the vehicle is brought into Canada.
Finally, one last important point: while new electric vehicles are also eligible for a subsidy from the federal government ($5,000), this is unfortunately not the case for used models that have already been registered.