The BC Provincial Government is taking a big step in the transition toward electric and hydrogen-powered cars. They have just announced that they are introducing legislation to completely phase out non zero-emissions vehicle sales by 2020.
Premier John Horgan made the announcement yesterday. Saying that the government is planning to introduce the new legislation in the spring. On top of that, they will be taking steps to increase EV and ZEV incentives. "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 BC on a path that powers our future with clean, renewable energy and reduces air pollution."
BC won't be the first province to put a mandate on ZEV sales. Quebec has set a mandate for ZEV sales, with credits of 3.5 percent this year, rising to 15.5 by 2025. But the BC plan goes far beyond that one: 10 percent zero-emissions vehicles sales by 2025, 30 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2040. Zero-emissions vehicles are usually fully electric vehicles or those powered by a fuel source with zero-emissions from the vehicle. Like hydrogen fuel cells.
The roll-out of the plan starts with three points. The first is to add more fast-charging stations. They want to have 151 sites. 71 of those are already open or underway and 80 are in the works. The government wants to increase the provincial EV incentive program by $20 million this year but doesn't specify how much that would mean for buyers. They also plan to review the program and look to expand it over time. The current BC EV incentive is a point-o- sale credit of up to $5,000 for eligible new vehicles.
"If we want British Columbians to be part of the solution for reducing air pollution, we need to make clean energy vehicles more affordable, available, and convenient," said Premier Horgan.
