More Vehicles Qualify for Canada’s ecoAuto Rebate in 2008

11 December 2007

Globe and Mail. Thirty-two vehicles from the 2008 model year now qualify for Canada’s ecoAUTO Rebate Program, up from 21 last year. The program gives cash rebates ranging between C$1,000 and C$2,000 on the purchase or long-term lease of vehicles that the federal government deems fuel-efficient.

While last year’s list was dominated by small Toyota models like the Yaris, Corolla, Camry Hybrid and Prius, this year the Smart car coupe and convertible, the Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet HHR and Canada’s best-selling car, the Honda Civic, are among those that have zoomed onto the list.

Last year, Honda’s only vehicle to qualify for the rebate was the Civic Hybrid. This year the two-door and four-door manual transmission Honda Civic also get Ottawa’s environmental stamp of approval.

Some 2008 models have a higher rebate than their 2007 counterparts. For example, the Saturn VUE Hybrid 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, four-speed automatic now qualifies for a $2,000 rebate, compared with $1,000 for the 2007 model, which gets fewer kilometres to the litre than its 2008 counterpart. The 2008 Highlander Hybrid is eligible for a $1,500 rebate, up $500 from the 2007 model after Toyota boosted its fuel efficiency.

To qualify for a rebate, new passenger cars must have a combined city-highway fuel consumption of 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers (36 mpg US) or less while for new minivans, sport utility vehicles and other light trucks, the bar is set at 8.3 liters/100 km (28 mpg) or less. Flex-fuel vehicle must have a combined city-highway E85 fuel consumption rating of 13 liters/100 km (18 mpg US) or less.

(A hat-tip to Bob!)