Two years after announcing its zero-emission vehicle program, British Columbia has released the year-by-year regulatory targets that will help manufacturers and retailers make the shift to all-electric new car sales by 2040.
“The province says at least 10% of all light-duty vehicle sales must by electric by 2025 under its Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Act,” CTV News reports, in a province where EVs accounted for 9% of new car sales last year. The province must hit a 30% threshold by 2030, and 100% by 2040.
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“While electric vehicle sales in B.C. have been among the highest in Canada, there are clear indicators that consumer appetite for EVs is bigger still,” Clean Energy Canada Executive Director Merran Smith said in a release. “It’s simple: If you want an electric vehicle in this province, you should be able to drive one home from the lot, same as any car.”
“British Columbians are eager to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, help reduce air pollution, and save on fuel costs, but price and availability can be barriers,” said B.C.’s minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, Bruce Ralston. “Today we are one step closer to ensuring that in less than 20 years, every new car sold in B.C. will be a zero-emission vehicle powered by clean electricity.”
Smith said the regulations make B.C. one of the few jurisdictions in the world with zero-emission vehicle targets, CTV adds.
Citing BC Hydro figures, the Clean Energy Canada release says EVs are six times less expensive to drive than internal combustion, and one in three British Columbians expect their next car to be electric. But in June and July 2018, when CEC contacted the 322 dealerships that qualified for the province’s EV rebate program, only 40% had electric cars available on their lots. “Most said the wait time to get an electric car would be three months to a year—with some citing wait times of up to 18 months,” and only one in five could recommend a dealership with available EVs.
But even with those barriers in place, “growing numbers of British Columbians are switching to electric vehicles and benefiting from an improved driving experience, zero air pollution, and much lower fuel and maintenance costs,” Environment and Climate Minister George Heyman said in the provincial release. “We’re supporting this transition by making electric vehicles and charging more affordable and available around the province.”
