TORONTO, December 20th, 2023 – Christopher Hilkene, Chief Executive Officer at Pollution Probe, made the following statement in reaction to the Government of Canada’s announced Electric Vehicle Availability Standard:
“Congratulations to Minister Steven Guilbeault and Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin on the announcement of the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard. A game changer for the electrification of Canada’s passenger vehicle fleet. A huge win for climate change, clean air and our environment.”
“The new Electric Vehicle Availability Standard announced by Minister Guilbeault is great news for our fight against climate change and ensuring a green and affordable economy for all Canadians. Pollution Probe is honoured to be working with Natural Resources Canada on the installation of EV public chargers at strategic locations across Canada, in support of this game changing regulation.”
Background:
- Transportation was the second highest-emitting sector in Canada in 2021, accounting for 22% of total greenhouse-gas emissions.
- The regulations will prevent 362 megatonnes of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions. As of 2050, they are projected to decrease air pollutant emissions from light-duty vehicles, including reductions in fine particular matter (PM2.5) (36 percent), nitrogen oxide (NOx) (50 percent), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (61 percent) and carbon monoxide (CO) (68 percent).
- The outlook of the electric vehicle (EV) market in Canada is positive and trending in the right direction. EV sales in Canada in 2022 increased by 44% compared to 2021 and exceeded 120,000 for the first time.
- The Electric Vehicle Availability Standard will make sure Canada achieves 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales as of 2035, 20 percent as of 2026 and 60 percent as of 2030.
- EV sales accounted for 8% of total vehicle sales in 2022 compared to 5% in 2021. Quebec and British Columbia stood out with significantly higher EV market shares compared to the national average. Quebec achieved a 12.3% market share, while BC exceeded that at 16.2%. EVs reached an over 12% market share in Canada in Q3 2023.
- Canada boasts a strong and robust electric vehicle charging network. According to Transport Canada, there were 7,388 public charging locations with level 2 charging as of the end of 2022, up by 37% from the previous year. Additionally, there were 1,427 public charging locations with DCFC chargers, representing a 31% increase from the previous year.
- The Government of Canada has allocated more than $1.2 billion in support of the deployment of more charging stations in the country, through programs including the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure Initiative, and the Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative.
- Increased zero-emission vehicle sales will create economic benefits for Canada. It has been estimated that globally, 80% of electric vehicles are made in the region in which they are sold.
- In Ontario alone, over $16 billion in investments from automakers, EV battery suppliers and EV battery material suppliers have been made over the past two and a half years.
- It has been estimated that the average owner of an electric vehicle would save 40-50 percent in maintenance costs relative to a gas-powered vehicle.
About Pollution Probe
Pollution Probe is a national, not-for-profit, charitable organization that pursues environmental gains by productively working with governments, industry and the public. With a steadfast commitment to clean air, clean water and a healthy planet, Pollution Probe has been at the forefront of environmental issues and action since its inception in 1969. www.pollutionprobe.org
Media Contacts:
Steve McCauley, Senior Director
Pollution Probe
(416) 926-1907 x 252
smccauley@pollutionprobe.org
Cedric Smith, Director, Transportation
Pollution Probe
(902) 471-1434
csmith@pollutionprobe.org
Dena Cole (Gouweloos)
Founding Partner & President
Bubblegum Canada
(647) 825-3927
dena@bubblegumcanada.com