The B.C. Government's Greener Transportation Incentives

The Canadian province of British Columbia's SCRAP-IT® program provides financial remuneration for vehicles with poor fuel efficiency and incentives for greener forms of transportation. Reducing (inefficient) vehicular traffic improves air quality and reduces emissions.

The BC SCRAP-IT Society fund is already in operation and with new funding it will expand the program and remove even more high-polluting vehicles from B.C. roads. The SCRAP-IT Society has already removed over 30,000 vehicles from B.C. roads, resulting in a reduction of over 200,000 tonnes of GHGs. The program has a $2.5-million budget.

The success of the program has prompted Dennis Rogoza, CEO of the BC Scrap-It Society to say:

"We're excited about moving more power polluters off of B.C. roads. It's clear with programs like these, British Columbia is committed to providing greener options for a cleaner future. These older vehicles scrapped by our program represent emissions that are up to 60 times greater than that of newer vehicles"

The government of B.C. offers a total of seven programs that provide incentives to encourage greener transportation.

HERE ARE SEVEN INCENTIVE PROGRAMS:

Option #1
Replacement Vehicle - $300, $600 or $1,000*
(*based on CO2 emission reduction), PLUS a $250 discount at the point of sale

$300 for a reduction of up to 5 tonnes.

$600 for a reduction of 5.1 to 10 tonnes.

$1,000 for a reduction of 10.1 tonnes, or more.

Plus a $250 discount, before taxes, at the point of sale. Note: You must purchase or lease a 2004* or newer vehicle from a Participating Dealership in order to receive the discount.

Option #2
TransLink 3 Zone MultiPass - Lower Mainland
A 9 month 3 zone MultiPass

BC Transit ECOPASS - Victoria
A 1 year ECOPASS valid on the Victoria Regional Transit System.

Option #3
New Bike
Up to $500 off the purchase of a new bike. A 10% discount, up to $100 at the point of sale and the remainder, 40%, up to $400 directly from SCRAP-IT when you purchase your new bike from a Participating Bicycle Retailer.

Option #4
West Coast Express Passes
One of the following West Coast Express options:

MISSION AREA (Three 28 day passes)
MAPLE RIDGE AREA (Four 28 day passes)
TRI-CITIES AREA (Five 28 day passes)
INTER-SUBURBAN AREA (Seven 28 day passes)
or, if you are not a regular rider, a GO2 Card

Option #5
Car Sharing Credit
A $750 credit with one of the 3 following organizations:

• Modo The Car Co-op
• Zipcar
• The Victoria Car Share Co-Op

Option #6
Ride Sharing Credit
A $750 credit with RideShare, The Jack Bell Foundation

Option #7
$200 "Cash"

Approved applicants will receive an email approval letter with more details about each incentive offered.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.