Attention News Editors: Dr. Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Solutions, issued the following statement with respect to the federal government’s announcement today of new proposed regulations to increase the supply of electric vehicles in Canada. The Hon. Minister Steven Guilbeault announced new regulations to set zero-emission vehicle sales targets. The regulations will require manufacturers and importers of new passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks to ensure 20 per cent of new vehicles sold in Canada are zero emission by 2026, at least 60 per cent by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035. Dr. Comeau is available for interviews.
“We applaud the federal government’s move today to make it easier and more affordable for Canadians to get behind the wheel of a zero-emitting, electric vehicle.
National leadership in this area was sorely needed. Provincial zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) sales targets in Quebec and British Columbia have clearly shown their effectiveness at improving supply and getting more electric vehicles on the road. But without a strong national standard, too many provinces—and Canadians—were being left behind.
New Brunswick’s updated climate change action plan (2022-2027), for example, only committed to a ZEV sales target of six per cent by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030. That simply isn’t ambitious enough to meet our climate goals or to help New Brunswick citizens save money on transportation by switching to electric from combustion vehicles and getting free of the volatile gasoline and diesel markets.
Vehicle emissions are a major source of carbon pollution in New Brunswick and nationally. Data from the federal government shows that tailpipe emissions from passenger vehicles have increased by 25 million tonnes per year since 1990.
We encourage the New Brunswick government to fully embrace the 100 per cent ZEV target and continue to offer and expand provincial policies, incentives and programs to help citizens purchase an electric vehicle.
It’s time for the auto industry and all governments across Canada to accelerate the zero-emission vehicle transition. Today’s announcement from the federal government throws down the gauntlet for getting this important work done.”
To arrange an interview, contact:
Jon MacNeill, Communications Director | jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca | 506.238.3539