By Randall Denley, Ottawa Citizen, June 27, 2018
It is difficult to persuade consumers to buy a product they don’t want, but that doesn’t stop government and its agencies from trying to jumpstart the electric car industry. The Ontario government has been throwing subsidies at electric cars since 2010, with its latest program offering up to $14,000 in rebates. It also spent $20 million installing public charging stations. Despite that, electric cars make up about one per cent of sales.
The provincial subsidy is almost certain to end under the new Progressive Conservative government, but that hasn’t dented the enthusiasm of the folks at Hydro Ottawa. They are about to roll out a new program that will subsidize electric car chargers for 100 lucky Ottawans.
These chargers cost $1,295, but thanks to a federal government grant, Hydro can offer them at 40 per cent off. The local power company will look after rebate applications and connect participants with licensed installers, but home owners will still have to pay an installation fee of about $1,000.
http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/denley-a-jolt-of-reality-for-the-electric-car-industry