British Columbians in the market for a new vehicle now have the option to participate in the $7.5-million Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Point of Sale Incentive Program.Five auto dealerships in the Comox Valley are involved in the program, an initiative of the B.C. Ministry of Environment, LiveSmart BC in partnership with the New Car Dealers Association of BC.The five local participating dealers are Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC, Comox Valley Nissan, Courtenay Toyota, Garf Baxandall Ford and Island Honda.Effective immediately, consumers will receive up to $5,000 off the pre-tax price when they purchase or lease a qualifying new battery electric, fuel cell, plug in hybrid electric or compressed natural gas vehicle.The program, accessible through 199 participating new car dealers across the province, is intended to encourage and accelerate the sale of clean-energy vehicles and technology innovation within British Columbia. A new website, www.CEVforBC.ca, hosted by the NCDABC, is now available and serves as a central point for consumers wanting to learn more about eligible vehicles and incentives for each vehicle. “This is a very exciting time for new car dealers in B.C.,” says Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. “Manufacturers have been investing in an array of new technologies over the past number of years, including clean energy vehicle technology."We’re proud to be making this new technology available to B.C. consumers, while at the same time making a significant contribution to the greening of the provincial economy and encouraging manufacturers to choose B.C. when developing and deploying new clean-energy technology.” Vehicles currently qualifying under the CEV Incentive Program include the Chevrolet Volt, Mitsubishi iMiev, Nissan Leaf, Smart Fortwo, Ford Focus Electric, and Toyota Plug In Prius. Also included are fuel cell technology models such as the Mercedes-Benz B-class F-cell and compressed natural gas models such as the Honda GX, which was recently awarded the 2012 Green Car of the Year title by Green Car Journal.Pure battery-powered electric vehicles such as the Leaf and iMiev have zero tailpipe emissions.Vehicles qualifying for the rebate are anticipated to cost as little as $300 per year in hydro costs compared to upwards of $1,500 per year to fuel a gas-powered car. — New Car Dealers Association of BC