British Columbia is pressing the gas on plans to require all new cars and light trucks in the province to be electric by 2035, five years sooner than its original 2040 deadline.If passed, the amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act will help “increase access and choice” for car buyers, while chipping in $7 million in giveaways to expand the province’s charging network in single-family homes and workplaces.It also bans the sale of internal combustion, gasoline powered cars five years sooner than originally planned..“This updated ZEV target reflects the success of our measures to shift rapidly to cleaner transportation,”BC Environment Minister George Heyman.According to Transport Canada, ‘zero-emission’ vehicles are those “that can operate without producing tailpipe emissions, such as battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.”It’s all part of the NDP government’s drive to cut emissions 40% by 2030. The province was the first in Canada to mandate EV sales targets when the original legislation was introduced in 2019.“This updated ZEV target reflects the success of our measures to shift rapidly to cleaner transportation,” said Environment Minister George Heyman. “These changes also support rising demand for cleaner vehicles on the roads and will make it easier for more people to choose an electric vehicle.”.BC says the changes will align with existing regulations in California and Quebec.The amendments will require automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty sales and leases, reaching 26% by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. It’s over and above the federal government’s targets of 10% by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.According to the province’s transportation department, EVs made up about 21% of all vehicle sales in BC thus far in 2023, compared to just 3% in all other parts of the country.Since 2016, the number of EVs on BC roads have increased from about 5,000 to almost 130,000 today. In a statement, BC says the changes will align with existing regulations in California and Quebec. It says any of the amendments will come into force upon royal assent and will come into force October 1, 2024, to align with the beginning of the 2024 model year compliance period.The charger grants will be disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis starting October 31. The government claims it has more than 4,800 electric charging stations, the most of any province or territory in Canada.
British Columbia is pressing the gas on plans to require all new cars and light trucks in the province to be electric by 2035, five years sooner than its original 2040 deadline.If passed, the amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act will help “increase access and choice” for car buyers, while chipping in $7 million in giveaways to expand the province’s charging network in single-family homes and workplaces.It also bans the sale of internal combustion, gasoline powered cars five years sooner than originally planned..“This updated ZEV target reflects the success of our measures to shift rapidly to cleaner transportation,”BC Environment Minister George Heyman.According to Transport Canada, ‘zero-emission’ vehicles are those “that can operate without producing tailpipe emissions, such as battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.”It’s all part of the NDP government’s drive to cut emissions 40% by 2030. The province was the first in Canada to mandate EV sales targets when the original legislation was introduced in 2019.“This updated ZEV target reflects the success of our measures to shift rapidly to cleaner transportation,” said Environment Minister George Heyman. “These changes also support rising demand for cleaner vehicles on the roads and will make it easier for more people to choose an electric vehicle.”.BC says the changes will align with existing regulations in California and Quebec.The amendments will require automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty sales and leases, reaching 26% by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. It’s over and above the federal government’s targets of 10% by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.According to the province’s transportation department, EVs made up about 21% of all vehicle sales in BC thus far in 2023, compared to just 3% in all other parts of the country.Since 2016, the number of EVs on BC roads have increased from about 5,000 to almost 130,000 today. In a statement, BC says the changes will align with existing regulations in California and Quebec. It says any of the amendments will come into force upon royal assent and will come into force October 1, 2024, to align with the beginning of the 2024 model year compliance period.The charger grants will be disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis starting October 31. The government claims it has more than 4,800 electric charging stations, the most of any province or territory in Canada.
