BY 2035, ALL NEW CARS SOLD IN CANADA MUST BE ELECTRIFIED

Wed 20 December 2023:

The Electric Vehicle Availability Standard (EVAS) has been officially adopted in Canada, requiring automakers to fulfill yearly zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales objectives.

The targets will take effect for the 2026 model year and will mandate that 20% of new light-duty vehicles (passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs) be ZEVs. This figure will rise year after year until it reaches 100 percent in 2035.

The Canadian government said the rules echo those found in California and will provide automakers with a “ramp-up period of more than a decade.” Officials went on to note gas- and diesel-powered vehicles can still be driven after 2035, and can be bought or sold used.

One in eight new vehicles sold nationwide is electric or plug-in hybrid, according to Statistics Canada’s records of registrations. In provinces that already have regulations requiring dealers to sell a certain proportion of EVs, sales are far higher. One in five new cars are electric in Quebec. In B.C, EVs make up nearly a quarter of all new car sales.

The new regulations will require zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs), which include battery electric, hydrogen and plug-in electric vehicles, to make up 20 per cent of all new car sales in 2026, 60 per cent in 2030 and 100 per cent in 2035, the official said.

Automakers haven’t said much at this point, but Hyundai Canada released a statement saying they support the objectives outlined by the government. However, they believe the “success of the program is dependent on enhanced efforts to address two essential areas required for consumer adoption: charging infrastructure and ZEV affordability.”

Ottawa said the move will benefit citizens as there will be positive health impacts as well as significant savings. In particular, the Canadian Automobile Association estimates the average EV owner saves 40-50 percent in maintenance costs. The group also estimates the average Canadian spends close to $3,000 CAD ($2,250 USD) annually on gas, whereas the annual cost of powering an electric vehicle is only a few hundred dollars.

The government went on to say “Canadians will save about $36.7 billion CAD ($27.5 billion USD) in energy costs between now and 2050 as a result of the regulations.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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