British Columbia’s SCRAP-IT Program has announced a new incentive program aimed at removing high polluting vehicles from our roads, on the eve of this year’s Vancouver International Auto Show.

The new incentive allows purchasers of a qualifying new electric vehicle, who scrap their 2000 or older vehicle, to receive a $3,000 rebate. This program is separate from the BC Government eco-car incentive scheme, the details of which will be announced at next week’s show.

“This is a fantastic program whose ultimate goal is to remove older high polluting vehicles from our roads,” said SCRAP-IT Program CEO Dennis Rogoza. “Vehicles model 2000 or older emit up to 60 times more emissions than later models and electric vehicles have even much lower emissions.”

Qualifying electric vehicles are listed on SCRAP-IT’s website. As part of this program’s launch, SCRAP-IT has supplied a contest prize car in the shape of a new all-electric Nissan LEAF (see Plug-in to Win contest details on the right). The LEAF will be on display at the SCRAP-IT auto show booth in the Vancouver Convention Centre West (March 24-29).

While eco-cars aren’t the central theme this year, new executive show director Jason Heard wittily promises “an electrifying show experience with lots of greenery on show!”

“You won’t need to go too far to see green… the Green Ride and Drive is at the only entrance at Thurlow. You can try out one of 14 green vehicles from hybrids to pure electrics and see what makes them tick.”

Inside a wide array of green vehicles are parked on Electric Avenue. But there’s lots more to feast your eyes upon this year.

“Anyone can add space to a show but we feel we have filled it with new content to deliver a much more rounded experience. The show is about new cars but it has to entertain, be exciting and make you wanting more year after year.”

The Super Cars and Exotics are back. On opening night, there will be super cars valued at $15 million on the plaza. Every kid will want to eyeball the 100-percent electric Big Foot Monster Truck (pictured above). There are also some sharp looking concepts, such as the Cadillac Elmiraj (pictured above, too).

This year’s showstopper could well be a 1963 Lincoln Convertible, supplied by Abbotsford’s 360 Fabrication, which is now applying the final changes touches to the $1 million dollar restoration (pictured below).

Heard is excited about a new display called Car Culture, which focuses on the vehicles and the lifestyles that drive them. Feature vehicles are displayed in themed settings, featuring accessories and backdrops.

Classic Alley offers a stroll back through time while Hollywood North pays tribute to the cars we see on movie sets around town. Just a sample of what’s up at the show. The rest of Driveway (drivewaybc.ca) looks new cars on display.

Contact: keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

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Show Dates: March 24-29, 2015

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West

Show Hours & Pricing – Tuesday, March 24, 5 pm – 10 pm, admission $20*,; Wednesday through Friday, Noon – 10 pm, admission $15*; Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm, admission $17*; Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm, admission $17*

*Discounts for seniors (65+), students with valid ID, children ages seven -12 (except Tuesday), multi-day passes, and family packs.

For more information and to purchase tickets: www.VancouverInternationalAutoShow.com.