ecoAUTO Rebate Program

As part of the Government of Canada’s plan to protect the environment, they announced a new consumer rebate program and a new green levy, or tax, that manufacturers of vehicles that have poor fuel efficiency will have to pay. The Government is committing $160 million over two years to offer performance-based rebates on new light duty vehicles.

The ecoAUTO Rebate Program encourages Canadians to buy fuel-efficient vehicles by offering rebates from $1000 to $2000, to people who, beginning March 20, 2007, buy or enter a long-term lease (12 months or more) for a fuel-efficient vehicle.

The rebate will be paid by the government, not dealers, to owners or lessees of new qualified vehicles. The levy will paid by the manufacturer when the vehicle is delivered to the dealer. The program is effective immediately although details about the plan's administration have yet to be announced.

The full list of eligible vehicles is established by Transport Canada. Currently only 21 vehicles in all of Canada qualify for a rebate and of those, only four qualify for the full rebate of $2,000. They are:

• Ford Escape Hybrid Base (300A) 4dr FWD ($33,799)
• Ford Escape Hybrid Base (400A) 4dr 4x4 ($36,599)
• Honda Civic Hybrid Base (CVT) 4dr Sedan ($26,250)
• Toyota Prius Base (CVT) 4dr hatchback ($31,280)

Vehicle models eligible for $1,000 - $1,500 rebates include:

• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Mini Cooper
• Toyota Yaris (CE, RS, LE, RS, Base)
• Toyota Corolla (CE and Sport)
• Nissan Altima Hybrid
• Ford Escape HEV 4X4
• Saturn VUE Hybrid
• Jeep Compass
• Jeep Patriot
• Lexus GS 450H
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Base and Limited 7-Passenger)
• Jeep Compass (Sport/North, Limited)
• Jeep Patriot (Sport/North, Limited)
• Chevrolet Impala FFV
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo FFV
• Chrysler Sebring FFV

How to get a Rebate

• Provide a photocopy of your sales or long-term lease (for 12 months or more) agreement, along with the Vehicle Identification Number.
• Provide proof of provincial vehicle registration.
• More details about the rebate application process will be posted in the coming months.
• Review some FAQ's on the program
  

Since a number of Canadian provinces offer similar rebates on advanced technology and fuel-efficient vehicles, you could be eligible for both federal and provincial rebates.

To find out more about provincial rebate programs, please visit:

• Residents and businesses from PEI
• Residents and businesses from Quebec
• Residents and businesses from Ontario
• Residents and businesses from Manitoba
• Residents and businesses from British-Columbia