DRIVING DEMAND
Tesla’s recent decision to cut Model Y prices by $4,000 in Canada could influence car-buying decisions in Quebec, as certain trim levels of the Model Y now qualify for a combined $12,000 rebate for Quebec-based buyers.
The Model Y rear-wheel drive (RWD), the base model of Tesla’s all-electric SUV, now starts at $53,990, qualifying for the federal rebate of $5,000, and this is combined with a Quebec Roulez vert program rebate of $7,000; the threshold for which covers vehicles at $65,000.
The Model Y is already the most popular EV, based on iZEV rebates in Canada. This new price reduction, combined with rebate qualification, could further drive demand in the province, especially considering how Quebec drivers prefer all-wheel drive vehicle variations and longer-range trim options. According to the latest Plugged In: EV Collision Insights report from Q3 2023, Quebec already has the second-highest EV repairable claims frequency, with 4.11 percent of repairable claims being zero-emissions vehicles. In all of North America, Quebec has the third-highest frequency, behind British Columbia and California.
ELECTRIC EDUCATION
Auto Prévention, an occupational health and safety specialist for Quebec’s automotive industry, has announced a collaboration with the Provincial Council of Automotive Service Industry Party Committees (CPCPA) to launch a new electric vehicle (EV) safety certificate.
To develop the program, Auto Prévention is also in partnership with the province’s joint committees (CPAs) and the Labour Sector Committee (CSMO). The program, launched in January, is part of Quebec’s Electric Vehicle Skills Program (EVSP) training curriculum, which aims to offer a structured training path and recognized electric and hybrid vehicle certification to industry workers in auto mechanics, body work and heavy road vehicles.
The goal of the new course is to help generate knowledge and awareness of the risks of high voltage automotive systems. Specifically, the 14-hour course enables workers to locate and determine the potential danger of high-voltage components, learn safety rules and various safe intervention methods, how to safely diffuse systems and to update knowledge of basic electricity skills. The training is subsidized and the training manual and class 0 gloves are provided free of charge.
