OTTAWA — Anna Kanduth, Director of 440 Megatonnes, a project of the Canadian Climate Institute, made the following statement on the release of federal government’s Electric Vehicle Availability Standard:

“Canada’s new Electric Vehicle Availability Standard will reduce emissions by helping more drivers get behind the wheel of an electric or plug-in hybrid car. Such policies are a practical and proven way to fight climate change while making it easier for people across Canada to buy the electric car they want, when they want it.

“The transportation sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, and more than half of those emissions come from cars and light-duty trucks. Helping drivers switch to EVs will help drive down transportation emissions, but long wait times and scarce supply often lead more people to stick with fossil-fuelled vehicles, even when an EV might be their first choice. These new regulations will help shorten wait times for cleaner, more efficient vehicles by increasing EV supply in all provinces and territories.

“More than a dozen countries have policies requiring new vehicle sales to be 100 per cent electric by 2035 or sooner. Canada’s new regulations are similar to measures announced or implemented in the European Union, the U.K., and several U.S. states. They also build on the success of Quebec and B.C., where zero emission vehicle sales regulations have helped increase the supply and sale of electric vehicles compared to provinces without this type of policy support.

“Zero emission vehicle regulations work, and they can even help save drivers money. Sales data from B.C. shows more than 26 per cent of new cars and trucks are already zero emission vehicles. Across Canada, sales of electric vehicles continue to rise, and a zero emission vehicle regulations mandate will only further strengthen this continued growth by ensuring people throughout the country have more options when choosing their next vehicle.”

Background:

• Electric Vehicles are central to Canada’s energy transition:
  • In 2021, the Canadian Climate Institute analyzed over 60 potential net zero scenarios in Canada—in every scenario, switching to zero emission vehicles is a central part of the transition, alongside public transit and active transportation.
• Global demand for electric vehicles is growing rapidly:
  • Last year, more EVs were sold in China than in the rest of the world combined, with all-electric vehicles making up 22 per cent of all passenger vehicle sales in the country.
• Charging infrastructure is critical
  • Canada is rapidly expanding its EV charging network—but that expansion will need to keep up with accelerating demand for EVs.
• Without zero emission vehicle regulations, it’s likely EVs would continue to be hard to buy in many provinces:
  • Our research shows the federal sales regulations will make it easier for drivers in all provinces to get behind the wheel of a zero emissions vehicle.
  • Without a federal policy, British Columbia and Quebec—the only provinces with sales mandates—would continue to see the majority of national ZEV sales, while other provinces face limited supply.
• Zero emission vehicle regulations can save people money:
  • Analysis by Clean Energy Canada of popular Canadian EV models showed nearly all of them had cheaper ownership costs than equivalent gas-powered vehicles, often by $10,000 or more.
  • The California Air Resources Board estimates buyers of a 2026 EV would save $3,200 over 10 years; buyers of a 2035 EV would save $7,600 over 10 years.