Canada to Require 100% of New Cars Sold to be Zero Emission Vehicles by 2035

All new passenger cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks sold in Canada will be required to be zero emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035, according to new proposed regulations announced today by Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault.

The announcement comes after the Canadian government released its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan earlier this year, outlining its plan to meet its intermediate climate targets of reducing GHG emissions by 40% to 45% by 2030. Plans to compel ZEV sales for light vehicles were part of the strategy, along with other initiatives to electrify transportation such as funding for infrastructure and charging stations as well as EV incentives.

Guilbeault said:

“Zero-emission vehicles are where the rubber hits the road for cost-conscious Canadians who want to help the environment while getting off the roller-coaster of high gasoline prices.”

A series of intermediate ZEV sales mandates were also adopted in Canada along with the 2035 target, requiring ZEVs to account for 20% of new vehicle sales by 2026 and 60% by 2030. The aims, according to a government statement, are meant to enhance consumer access to ZEV.

A government estimate states that the new obligation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 430 million tonnes overall between 2026 and 2050.

With the release of the new sales mandates, Canada joins a number of other nations—including the EU, the UK, and the US—that have enacted their own ZEV regulations.

In order to achieve 87,000 government sponsored chargers by 2027, Canada also announced investments in an additional 50,000 EV charging stations as well as the renewal of a programme that offers consumers and businesses up to $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, toward the cost of purchasing or leasing a ZEV.

With the release of the new sales mandates, Canada joins a number of other nations—including the EU, the UK, and the US—that have enacted their own ZEV regulations.

In order to achieve 87,000 government sponsored chargers by 2027, Canada also announced investments in an additional 50,000 EV charging stations as well as the renewal of a programme that offers consumers and businesses up to $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, toward the cost of purchasing or leasing a ZEV.

(Source : ESG Today)