Canada is ending sales of polluting cars and light trucks from 2035. The Minister of Transport, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister of Canadian Heritage were on hand in Ottawa today to make the announcement that moved the zero-emissions target forward by five years.
"Only bold climate policies lead to bold results. Through measures aimed at accelerating the transition to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles sales, we will continue building a cleaner and more resilient economy, while also creating good jobs and opportunities for all Canadians," said Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra.
The 2035 move puts the rest of Canada on the same pace as Quebec. It also puts the country on a similar timeline with California though slightly behind the UK's 2030 goal. According to the statement, transportation is currently responsible for more than a quarter of Canadian carbon emissions.
The Government says that it will work with the auto industry as well as other levels of government, stakeholders, and Indigenous Peoples to help ensure the 100 per cent zero-emissions new car and light truck sales target is met.
Existing measures taken, as summarized in the announcement, include $460m to help build a network of EV charging stations and $295m to Ford to help build EVs in Oakville. GM and Stellantis are both expected to build new electric and electrified vehicles in the country as well.
New measures in the short term include a new Public Services and Procurement pathfinder project that would add EV chargers in the lots of crown-owned (and leased) buildings larger than 500 square metres. While the chargers would be prioritized for the federal EV fleet, overflow would be made available to visitors to the buildings for their personal vehicles.
There was no word on increasing electric vehicle subsidies direct to consumers. However, as the feds work to develop interim 2025 and 2030 targets, further incentives could be necessary to stay on track.
