Electric vehicles not only help keep our air clean, they can help families save money on monthly bills, too. Rising and unpredictable world oil prices and the growing desire by Canadians to lower their environmental footprint has more households and businesses looking to get off the gasoline and diesel roller-coaster by making the switch to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). When Canadians go to buy a new car, the Government of Canada is taking action to put more ZEVs on the roads.
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced that the Government of Canada published proposed regulations that set ZEV sales targets for manufacturers and importers of new passenger cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks. The regulations will require at least 20 percent of new vehicles sold in Canada will be zero-emission by 2026, at least 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2035. These targets will help increase supply so that more Canadians who want a ZEV can buy one.
In addition to making sure there are more ZEVs to buy, the Government also announced the following investments to make buying and charging an EV easier for Canadians:
- Invested in 50,000 more EV charging stations across the country, for almost 85,000 federally-funded chargers across Canada by 2027. This is in addition to charging stations supported by provincial governments and the private sector.
- Renewed the program that provides Canadians up to $5,000, and businesses up to $10,000, towards the cost of buying or leasing a ZEV. Over 180,000 individuals and businesses have taken advantage of this program to date.
- Making historic investments in EV manufacturing in Canada, which will mean made-in-Canada ZEVs by Canadian auto workers and for Canadian drivers to buy.
The evidence from Quebec, British Columbia and other jurisdictions with ZEV sales targets in place is clear: when combined with supportive investments, a zero-emission vehicle sales target accelerates the transition to clean cars and trucks. It also provides certainty to the private sector to support investments in charging infrastructure. With today's proposed regulations, Canada joins jurisdictions such as the European Union, United Kingdom, and several American states including California.
The shift to zero-emission vehicles is good for our workers, our automotive, battery and mining supply chains and our economy, creating jobs and prosperity for generations of workers to come. The shift is good for our environment, keeping our air clean.
Canadians are invited to submit their feedback on the proposed regulations during the 75-day consultation period. Final regulations are expected to be published in 2023.
