2 weeks Ago By Mackenzie Read
The end of the provincial sales tax (PST) exemption for used zero-emission vehicles is quickly coming to an end, prompting some to make a quick purchase before the cost goes back up. (CHEK News)." data-medium-file="https://i0.
wp.com/cheknews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RAW-READ-USED-EV-PST-EXEMPTION-ENDING-2025-04-24_15791-e1745538048420.
jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cheknews.
ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RAW-READ-USED-EV-PST-EXEMPTION-ENDING-2025-04-24_15791-e1745538048420.jpg?fit=780%2C439&ssl=1" />The provincial sales tax (PST) exemption for used zero-emission vehicles is quickly coming to an end, prompting some to make a quick purchase before the cost goes back up.During the 2025 provincial budget announcement, the government said it will be ending the exemption on May 1.
The Ministry of Finance says this is a way to help find savings within the budget which had a record-setting $10.9 billion deficit.READ MORE: B.
C. ends sales tax exemption for used zero-emission vehicles 2 years earlyThis news prompted Esquimalt resident Will Nikl to buy a used electric vehicle, sneaking it in before the full PST costs returned. Nikl found a 1978 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible from a man in Parksville for $20,000.
“He restored the beetle and had it professionally converted to electric with the full electric drive in 2021 or 2022,” Nikl said. “I’ve been wanting a convertible for years. I was also really intrigued by EV’s, but there’s really not that many convertible options.
So when I saw this I just felt like I had to go for it because it was kind of the best of both worlds and the perfect Sunday driver for Victoria.”Nikl purchased the vehicle on Wednesday, one week before the exemption ended.However, when he went to register the car, the insurance agent said his car wasn’t exempt from the PST, meaning he had to unexpectedly pay $2,400 in taxes.
“They said it wasn’t a qualifying car because it was too old and I said that it met the criteria that I saw on the provincial website,” Nikl explained. According to ICBC, a used zero-emission vehicle is eligible for the exemption if it “Has a declared odometer reading equal to or greater than 6,000 km at the time of sale, and was previously registered in B.C.
, or any other jurisdiction, and is being acquired by a new owner who would otherwise be required to pay PST.”Nikl says the beetle meets ICBC’s requirements with the odometer reading over 62,000km.In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said “In cases where an error occurred and PST was collected by ICBC on a vehicle that qualifies for an exemption, the purchaser of the vehicle can apply for a refund of the PST from the province.
”Nikl says he plans to apply for the refund. “I mean I’m keeping the car either way but it’s definitely 100 per cent electric,” he said. “It doesn’t take gas and I’m happy to show anybody in the government and I would even give David Eby a ride around in it if he was available.
”Nikl added his experience is a good reminder for those looking to purchase a used electric vehicle to do so now to avoid a 12 per cent PST charge. With files from CHEK’s Laura BroughamREAD ALSO:B.C.
kills its consumer carbon tax, but not everyone is celebratingB.C. ends sales tax exemption for used zero-emission vehicles 2 years earlyB.
C. improves rebate for electric vehicles to a maximum of $4,000: ministryThe post B.C.
ends sales tax exemption for used zero-emission vehicles next week appeared first on CHEK..
