Clean Energy Canada | New law makes it easier for British Columbians to buy electric cars
May 29, 2019

VICTORIA—Dan Woynillowicz, policy director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statements in response to the B.C. government passing a new law that will require automakers to sell a growing percentage of electric vehicles in the province: 

“British Columbians are excited about electric cars and the chance to cut both their fuel costs and pollution. It’s a win-win for commuters, but British Columbians have had a tough time finding electric cars on dealership lots and often have had to go on long waiting lists. 

“A third of British Columbians expect their next car to be electric—even more are interested. It’s no mystery why. Not only do electric cars help cut pollution and clean up the air we breathe, in B.C. going electric cuts your fuel bill by three-quarters.

“This new law will help ensure supply keeps up with demand, making it easier for people to go electric while helping B.C. cut carbon pollution and combat climate change. If you want an electric car, you should be able to drive one home from the lot, same as any car—that’s what this policy is about.”

—Dan Woynillowicz, Policy Director

In October 2018, Clean Energy Canada released a study on B.C.’s electric car supply problem, available here.

KEY FACTS

• Driving an electric vehicle is six times less expensive that driving a gas-powered vehicle, according to BC Hydro. 
• Another BC Hydro report found that one in three British Columbians expect their next car to be an EV.
• In June and July of 2018, Clean Energy Canada called all 322 dealerships in B.C. that qualify for the province’s EV rebate program and found that:
  • only 40% of them have electric cars on their lots available to purchase;
  • most said the wait time to get an electric car would be three months to a year—with some citing wait times of up to 18 months; and 
  • fewer than one in five of them could refer us to an alternative dealership with available EVs.
• The B.C. government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard will require car companies to achieve 10% ZEV sales by 2025, 30% by 2030, and 100% by 2040.
• 16 countries—including China, France, Japan, and the U.K.—have announced plans to phase out fossil-fuel-powered cars and increase the availability of EVs.

RESOURCES

Report | Batteries Not Included: Solutions Series

Videos | What EV buyers in B.C. said

Submission | Multi-stakeholder support for introducing a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate in British Columbia

UBCM Resolution | B131 Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, Endorsed at the 2018 UBCM Annual Convention.