VICTORIA — Dan Woynillowicz, policy director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s announcement regarding the federal zero-emission vehicle incentive program:
“Canadians are excited about electric cars and the chance to cut both fuel costs and pollution. It’s a win-win for commuters, and it’s why both interest—and perception of inevitability—keeps growing.
“More and more Canadians want to choose electric for their next vehicle, and the federal government’s purchase incentive program will make it easier for them to make that choice.
“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. But in the meantime, purchase incentives are a demonstrated approach to supporting Canadians that want to go electric.
“Canada’s target to sell one-hundred per cent zero-emission vehicles by 2040 is an important 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.”
KEY FACTS
- Recent public opinion research by Abacus Data found that majorities support governments offering rebates or purchase incentives to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles and investing public funds to strengthen recharging infrastructure. Less than 15% would oppose either of those measures. Support for both cuts across regional, generational and party lines.
- 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 an 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.
RESOURCES
Poll | Canadians see electric vehicles becoming mainstream, soon
Release | Budget supports Canadians’ efforts to cut carbon pollution and energy bills
Release | Canada targets 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2040
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
