New vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2040 under B.C.’s plan
All new light-duty cars and trucks sold in B.C. will be propelled by zero-emission technology by 2040, Premier John Horgan announced Tuesday.
The government will beef-up its purchase incentive programs by $20 million this year, bringing the value of the initiative to $57 million.
“If we want British Columbians to be part of the solution for reducing air pollution. We need to make clean energy vehicles more affordable, available and convenient,” said Horgan.
Electric vehicle buyers who are eligible can receive up to $5,000 in incentives for battery-powered vehicles and plug-in hybrids, and $6,000 for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, under the Clean Energy Vehicles for British Columbia program.
Horgan’s electric vehicle commitment is the first major policy plank in a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while expanding the liquefied natural gas industry.
The government will leverage federal funding and private partnerships to more than double the number of direct-current fast-chargers available to the public from 71 to 151.
“We’re working toward a seamless network, integrated with other jurisdictions and servicing both urban and rural areas,” said Energy Minister Michelle Mungall.
Under the new goals, by 2025, 10 per cent of new lightduty passenger vehicle sales in B.C. will be zero-emission vehicles, increasing to 30 per cent by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2040.
“(2040) may seem like a long way off, but it’s really the life cycle of two cars,” said Green party leader Andrew Weaver, who drives a Nissan Leaf.
A survey of B.C. car dealerships found that only 40 per cent have electric vehicles on their lots to sell, according to Clean Energy Canada.
“It’s going to take some time before there is a full suite of cars that people can choose from in terms of different vehicle classes,” said Dan Woynillowicz, policy director of Clean Energy Canada.
Interim sales targets set by the government leading up to 2025 will signal to the auto industry that far more zero-emission light cars and trucks will be needed to satisfy the market, said Woynillowicz.
Today’s announcement will be the first of many concerning the premier’s push to massively expand electrification in transport, the energy sector and heating buildings.
Horgan needs a convincing plan to meet GHG reduction targets to retain the support of Weaver, who has been sharply critical of the LNG expansion.
Horgan’s minority New Democrat government needs the co-operation of Weaver’s Greens to continue governing.