Ontario to include Tesla in rebate program after court decision

[September 01, 2018]  (Reuters) - Ontario will include some Tesla Inc car owners under its rebate plan as the province winds down an incentive program for electric cars, the ministry of transportation said on Friday.

Tesla superchargers are installed at the Quinte Mall in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, May 6, 2018. REUTERS/David Lucas/File Photo

The decision follows the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday striking down a transition program, including the Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program, set up by the new Ontario government, which excluded Tesla customers from qualifying for rebates.

The incentive program provides rebates of up to C$14,000 ($10,640) for people who bought electric cars.

"I have directed the ministry to expand the wind-down process," minister of transportation John Yakabuski said in a statement on Friday.

"Ending the Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program could save Ontario taxpayers up to an estimated $1 billion over four years," he said.

The ministry said on Friday incentives will be provided as long as certain conditions were met.

(Reporting by Laharee Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

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