The Department of Environment, which has proposed to mandate electric cars by 2035, is now researching whether the vehicles are cost effective. Electric manufacturers have claimed their cars save money in the long run despite higher sticker prices, according to Blacklock's Reporter..“The department is seeking information on the current and projected total cost of light duty vehicle ownership in Canada,” staff wrote in a notice to contractors. “The study will highlight the key lifetime cost differences between light duty vehicle market segments.”.New sales of gas and diesel cars would be abolished in 13 years. “The Government of Canada’s emissions reduction plan presents an ambitious and achievable road map to reach its emissions reduction targets,” said the notice Total Cost Of Ownership For Light Duty Vehicles In Canada..“The government has established a mandatory target that 100% of car and passenger truck sales be zero emission by 2035 in Canada with interim targets of at least 20% by 2026 and 60% by 2030,” wrote staff..Few motorists drive electric cars. Statistics Canada in a December 1 report Vehicle Registrations said of 24.1 million cars, SUVs, minivans and light duty trucks on the roads a total 551,654 were electric, about 2%..The House of Commons environment committee in a 2021 report The Road Ahead: Encouraging The Production And Purchase Of Zero Emission Vehicles In Canada acknowledged electrics remain too pricey for most drivers. MPs cited pre-pandemic data from Toyota Canada Inc. that the price of a new conventional sedan averaged $28,000 in Canada while the cost of a zero emission vehicle averaged $56,000 before $5,000 federal rebates..“Witnesses agreed that higher battery costs were the main cause of the higher price,” said the report. MPs noted “batteries are so costly and most are currently produced in East Asia.”.Electric manufacturers have claimed their vehicles save money in the long run, but submitted no data to Parliament to prove the point. Conventional gas and diesel vehicles are driven an average 11 to 12 years, by official estimate..Privy Council Office in-house research shows the proposed ban on new sales of conventional vehicles is unpopular. “Participants expressed a wide range of concerns related to consumer costs, vehicle functionality and personal choice and freedom primarily as well as the possibility this policy could result in unethical business practices or negative impacts on the oil and gas industry in Canada,” said a February 25 pollsters’ report Continuous Qualitative Data Collection Of Canadians’ Views.
