OTTAWA — According to the International Energy Agency, 2020 was the best year so far for electric-vehicle sales worldwide, but the sales are highest in the countries that offer cash rebates and tax-based subsidies to help lower the cost of the cars.

Here's a snapshot of some of the subsidies available around the world and the electric-vehicle sales as a percentage of the total number of passenger-vehicle registrations in those countries.

All dollar figures have been converted to Canadian currency for comparison purposes.

CANADA

Canada currently offers a rebate, paid to the dealer that sells the vehicle, of $2,500 for the purchase of new plug-in hybrids with a base model price of less than $45,000 (higher-end versions of those models can cost up to $55,000 and still qualify). Battery-electric vehicles qualify for up to $5,000. Leased vehicles can qualify for some or all of the rebate depending on the length of the lease.

Six provinces and two territories now offer rebates on top of the federal program, ranging from a low of $2,500 for new battery-electric cars in Newfoundland and Labrador, to a high of $8,000 for a battery-electric car in Quebec. Most of these provinces are also offering smaller rebates for the purchase of a used car, and most also provide help to install a charging station at home.

EV registrations in 2020: 3.5 per cent.

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NORWAY

The world leader on electric vehicles, Norway exempts them from the 25 per cent value-added tax and import fees. Road tolls, ferry tickets and parking are also either free or at reduced cost for electric vehicles. The Norwegian government suggests the savings on a purchase of an electric Volkswagen Golf would include more than $11,800 in value-added tax alone.

EV registrations in 2020: 75 per cent.

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UNITED STATES

A federal tax credit of up to $9,500 has been available on some models of EVs, until that company sells 200,000 vehicles. President Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill now before Congress is pushing to increase that to up to about $15,900, but only for vehicles made in the United States.

EV registrations in 2020: 2.0 per cent.

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JAPAN

Japan recently announced it would increase its purchase subsidy to just under $9,000, as it is seeing its market share of plug-in vehicles lag behind the world. 

EV registrations in 2020: 0.6 per cent.

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UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom has a grant up to $4,200 for eligible vehicles with less than 50 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions and can travel a minimum of 112 kilometres on a single charge.

EV registrations in 2020: 11.3 per cent.

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FRANCE

Rebates in France range from $2,900 for a plug-in hybrid that costs less than $72,000, up to $10,000 for a battery-electric that costs less than $65,000.

EV registrations in 2020: 11.3 per cent.

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GERMANY

Rebates in Germany are between $5,400 and $13,000, depending on the type and list price of the vehicle. 

EV registrations in 2020: 13.5 per cent. 

Sources: International Energy Agency, government websites

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2021.

The Canadian Press