The Government of Canada announced today all light-duty cars and trucks sold in the country must be electric by the year 2035, accelerating from the previous target of 2040.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra made the announcement this morning in Ottawa. Citing a recent International Energy Agency Study, Alghabra said that the new target will help Canada achieve their goal of having net-zero emissions by 2050.
The new date also aligns with other countries and jurisdiction around the world including the United Kingdom (UK) and California.
The government says they will invest in a combination of initiatives and regulations and develop interim targets to ensure Canada is able to reach the goal by 2035.
“The Government of Canada will pursue a combination of investments and regulations to help Canadians and industry transition to achieve the 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. It will work also with partners to develop interim 2025 and 2030 targets, and additional mandatory measures that may be needed beyond Canada’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions regulations.”
One of those initiatives will likely be the continuation of the iZEV rebate program. More than $300 million has already been invested in the program, which provides rebates of up to $5,000 on qualifying zero-emission vehicles.
Electric vehicle infrastructure will also need a boost. Through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, more than $600 million has been spent to establish a coast-to-coast EV charging network.
