Manitoba turfs Tesla from EV Rebate Program

The decision to remove rebates for Teslas in Manitoba is drawing a mixed reaction among Manitoba’s electric car community.

Manitoba has turfed Tesla and Chinese-made electric vehicles from its EV Rebate Program.

“It’s part of our government’s commitment to be ‘elbows up,’” Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala told reporters Thursday.

This year, the province is putting $14.8 million towards the program, offering $2,500 and $4,000 rebates on some used and new electric and hybrid vehicles – but not all.

“No more Teslas and no rebates for EVs manufactured in China either,” Sala said.

“Who does this hurt? It doesn’t hurt Tesla”: Car club member reacts

The move is drawing mixed reactions from the EV community in Manitoba.

“I think it’s a little more nuanced than just across the board, we won’t let you get a rebate,” said Penny Summers, who helps run the Manitoba Tesla Club on Facebook.

Summers said she understands nixing the rebate on new Tesla vehicles – as the province wouldn’t want to support the U.S. company, even indirectly. But the loss of the rebate on used vehicles has her concerned.

“Who does this hurt? It doesn’t hurt Tesla – they’ve already gotten their money for the vehicle,” she said. “It hurts the person who’s trying to do the right thing and decrease their carbon footprint.”

“I’m not a bad person because I own a Tesla”

This comes as Canadians joined in ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests calling for a boycott of the electric car company over the actions of its CEO Elon Musk, as he works closely with U.S. President Donald Trump.

CTV News has spoken with some Tesla owners thinking of selling their once-prized vehicles amid the controversy.

Read More: ‘No more Tesla’: Manitoba driver caught in crosshairs of ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests

Summers said she has no plans to get rid of her Tesla, which she bought in 2018 due to its environmental benefits.

“We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint. It’s low cost to maintain and to charge, and we wanted to just support the EV market,” she said. “We love the car.”

However, Summers did note she has bought a bumper sticker for her car that says, ‘We bought it before we knew…’

“I’m not a bad person because I own a Tesla. I bought it for all the right reasons,” she said. “Because I have one doesn’t mean that I support in any way, shape, or form what Musk and his minions are doing.”