Next spring, the government of BC says it will introduce legislation to phase in targets for the sale of zero emissions vehicles. The province hopes that by 2040, all vehicle sales will be ZEVs. Province of British Columbia photo.
Legislation looks for sales of 10% zero emission vehicles by 2025
The British Columbia government led by Premier John Horgan says it will introduce legislation to phase in targets for the sale of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) which would see all new light-duty cars and truck sales by 2040 be ZEVs.
Backed by the BC Green caucus, Horgan says the ZEV legislation sets targets of 10 per cent zero emission vehicles sales by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030 and by 2040, 100 per cent.
“There’s nothing more important than taking care of the place we call home,” said Premier Horgan. “As a province, we need to work together to put B.C. on a path that powers our future with clean, renewable energy and reduces air pollution.”
The Premier outlined a three-point plan to kick-start and fuel the rollout of the ZEV standard:
1. Expanding the size of the province’s electric vehicle direct-current fast-charger (DCFC) network to 151 sites, with 71 already completed or underway and, leveraging federal and private-sector dollars, another 80 in the works.
2. Increasing the provincial incentive program, administered by the New Car Dealers Association of BC, by $20 million this year to encourage more British Columbians to buy clean energy cars now. This will bring the incentive program up to $57 million in total.
3. Reviewing the incentive program with an eye to expanding it over time, so buying a ZEV becomes a more affordable option for middle- and lower-income British Columbians.
The Horgan government will take steps to ensure ZEVs are more affordable.
“We are committed to making cleaner vehicles more affordable and expanding the vehicle and charging network across the province,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “We’re working toward a seamless network, integrated with other jurisdictions and servicing both urban and rural areas.”
Andrew Weaver, leader of the BC Green caucus says “as an EV owner myself, I can attest to how good it feels to save fuel and repair costs, while doing my part to reduce emissions”.
“The B.C. ZEV mandate is an exciting development that will support British Columbians as we make the shift to the low-carbon economy.”
British Columbia already has one of the largest charging and fuelling infrastructure networks – electric and hydrogen fuelling – in Canada and, with 12,000 clean energy vehicles registered, the highest adoption rates of electric vehicles in the country.
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy said “By embracing the ZEV standard, we’re joining other jurisdictions like Quebec, 14 U.S. states and many others worldwide”.
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