Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) invited Clean Energy Canada to participate in two consultations this spring: one on the mid-term evaluation of Canada’s passenger vehicle emission regulations and another on options to increase the supply of ZEVs in Canada. Due to the related nature of these two topics, this submission serves as our comments for both consultations.
A lack of ZEV supply continues to be a barrier to ZEV uptake in Canada. More ambitious supply-side policies are needed to make sure Canadians have access to cleaner cars no matter where in the country they live.
Results from past experience with voluntary agreements to increase ZEV uptake and reduce vehicle emissions prove that voluntary approaches are ineffective. Countries leading on ZEV uptake, production and attracting global investment are regulating the transition to ZEVs through a ZEV standard and/or stringent passenger vehicle emission standards. Canada must learn from past experience, draw on these global best practices, and take a similar regulatory approach if it wants to be part of the ZEV transition.
Canada has the best chance at meeting its objectives by combining strong passenger vehicle emission standards with a national ZEV standard. Passenger vehicle emission standards will deliver the near- and medium-term greenhouse gas emission reductions Canada needs to meet its 2030 emission targets. A ZEV standard will achieve additional emission reductions, increase ZEV availability across the country, and ensure Canada meets its ZEV sales targets. It will also provide market certainty for businesses and consumers, and drive the technology investments we need automakers to be making today to get us to 100% ZEV sales by 2040 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
