VICTORIA — Dan Woynillowicz, policy director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s announcement regarding national zero-emission vehicle sales targets:
“Canada now has a target to sell 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2040—in other words, electric cars.
“The announcement from Minister Garneau came on the heels of a Monday meeting with provincial transport ministers that failed to achieve consensus on a zero-emission vehicle strategy.
“Nonetheless, the 2040 commitment represents a milestone as Canada joins nations such as the U.K. and France. While the federal government’s targets (which also include ZEV sales goals of 10% by 2025 and 30% by 2030) may sound ambitious, the reality is they are very achievable—and in line with targets already established in Quebec and B.C.
“They are also in line with industry and consumer trends. Automakers are investing billions into the production of electric cars, SUVs and trucks, and these vehicles will soon cost no more than their gasoline equivalents—and a lot less for drivers to fuel.
“But targets are only as useful as the plans to achieve them. The upcoming federal budget needs to put Canada on track by investing in additional electric car charging, supporting consumer education and—most critically—introducing a consumer rebate.
“Canada’s 2040 goal has the right destination in mind, but as they say: the journey is no less important. We look forward to seeing the details of a plan that ensures Canada cuts pollution and keeps up as our peers race forward.”
KEY FACTS
- 29 global automakers are investing at least US$300 billion in electric vehicles, according to analysis by Reuters. Bloomberg New Energy Finance has calculated that 47% of electric vehicles launching between 2018 and 2021 will be SUVs.
- According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, electric cars will achieve price parity with gasoline vehicles by 2024 and become cheaper by 2025. Costs will decline as the average cost of an electric car battery fell by another 17% last year, representing a 85% decline since 2010. (2018 Battery Price Survey, Bloomberg New Energy Finance)
- There are now four-million electric cars on the road globally, and this number is expected to rise to five million by March 2019. China remains the world’s biggest EV market.
- Canadians are increasingly interested in buying electric cars: it’s estimated that in 2018 electric car sales were greater than the previous three years, combined. At least 37 models of EVs are currently available in Canada, with new models being regularly introduced by nearly all automakers.
- The transportation sector accounts for a quarter (25%) of Canada’s carbon pollution.
- 16 countries—including China, France, Japan, and the U.K.—have announced plans to phase out fossil-fuel-powered cars and/or increase the availability of EVs.
- China recently announce its version of a zero-emission vehicle standard, coming in 2019.
RESOURCES
Report | Batteries Not Included: Solutions Series
Report | Stuck in Neutral: Tracking the Energy Revolution
Submission | Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Federal 2019 Budget
