Province’s cancellation of rebate program leaves auto dealerships in the dust

After taking office, Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario provincial government made the decision to cancel a rebate program that gave $14,000 to buyers of any electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The rebate incentive saw many people in Kingston exchanging their gas vehicles for a greener alternative, such as the Nissan Leaf.

Dr. Warren Mabee is a professor at Queen’s University who focuses on the interface between renewable energy policy and technologies, and he says Ontario does produce clean energy, but the premier’s decision to remove the cap and trade system will affect many other industries such as solar paneling, wind farming, and electric power.

“I wish this was not turning off faucet,” Mabee said. “I wish they just turned it down and looked for ways to save money, rather than declaring it as over.” He went on to say that the government’s resistance to going green has opened themselves up to law suits.

Kingston Nissan and Kahn say they are disappointed with the province’s reluctance to move forward with environment-friendly vehicles, but they are currently working with Nissan’s corporate office to see what they can do for their customers who purchased a Leaf before July 10 and have not received it.