The Government has set zero-emission vehicle sales targets of:
- 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2025
- 30% by 2030 and
- 100% by 2040
The Government is working to meet these targets by addressing the issues that keep some Canadians from switching to zero-emission vehicles. These include affordability, availability, and accessibility to infrastructure.
Summary
As required by the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was done to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the federal zero-emission vehicle measures. The SEA found that new measures would have an important positive effect on the environment by helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly over the long-term.
Putting more zero-emission vehicles on the road is a key commitment in the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change. Measures that support increased adoption of zero-emission vehicles will benefit the environment and the economy, and encourage innovation by:
Lowering GHG emissions
The transportation sector is responsible for 25% of GHG emissions in Canada, with over half coming from cars and light-duty trucks. We can reduce this number by shifting to low-carbon transportation - more zero-emission vehicles on the road, and fewer internal combustion engine vehicles. We’ll do this by offering federal purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles. We expect that reaching Canada’s zero-emission vehicle sales targets will achieve significant emission reductions from transportation-related GHG emissions, particularly over the longer-term.
Fueling research and development (R&D)
More zero-emission vehicles on the road will encourage research and development in areas like battery development/recycle/reuse, fuel cell systems, power management, light weighting, density improvements and powertrain. Tech advancements in the zero-emission vehicle sector will have a positive impact on the environment and economy.
Investing in charging and refueling infrastructure
We’ll build on existing programs to deal with key infrastructure gaps in support of a coast-to-coast network of publicly accessible charging and refueling stations. This will not only enable more Canadians to drive zero-emission vehicles, but will also contribute to lowering GHG emissions.
Ties to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
Federal zero-emission vehicle measures contribute to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy’s goals by:
- taking effective action on climate change by helping to reduce GHG emissions and contributing to a low-carbon economy;
- contributing to modern and resilient infrastructure by supporting green transportation infrastructure and social inclusion, including investing in zero-emission vehicle charging and refueling stations;
- encouraging clean growth by investing in clean energy R&D, and creating more economic opportunities in Canada’s zero-emission vehicle sector; and
- supporting safe and healthy communities by working with partners to reduce transportation-related emissions and improve air quality.
Follow-up and monitoring
We will continue to track and advance toward our zero-emission vehicle sales targets. We will bring together stakeholders to deal with any negative effects or challenges, like reducing the environmental impacts of batteries and dealing with fuel cells once they can no longer be used.
We will continually evaluate the results of federal measures against our zero-emission vehicle sales targets, federal targets for reducing GHGs, and climate change goals, which will present opportunities to adjust our approach, as needed.