The provincial government is proposing amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) Act, with the aim to increase access and choice for ZEV car buyers and expand BC’s charging network.
If passed, automakers will be required to meet an increasing annual percentage of new light-duty ZEV sales and leases: 26% of light-duty vehicle sales by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, five years before the original target.
So far in 2023, almost 21% of all new light-duty passenger vehicles sold in this province have been electric vehicles- the highest percentage for any province or territory in Canada. While the Province’s measures to shift rapidly to cleaner transportation has seen success with personal use, BCTA continues to push back against the government’s plans for a zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle sales mandate.
As published in our July 4 Bulletin, BCTA has made it clear to the BC government that they are not recognizing the operational realities of our province’s transportation sector. While BCTA and our members are very supportive of establishing a low and zero-emission vehicle mandate, the one proposed by the Province is unachievable as 83.4% of our sector, due to operating range and vehicle weight, have no market-available zero-emission vehicle option. The intent of the proposed measures is to help achieve transportation emission reduction targets of 27-32% by 2030 as outlined in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030. We believe that these targets are achievable if a plan is developed in collaboration with industry and focuses not only on zero-emission vehicles, but existing low and GHG reducing equipment that is currently market available.
BCTA is recommending targets based on market-ready technology and adjusted as new technologies become available, and that consider operational realities such as range, topography, and weights and are timed to reflect a comprehensive infrastructure plan. With 94% of our sector operating 10 or less trucks, having access to available charging and refueling stations is critical to the adoption of low- and zero-emission vehicles.
BCTA is also calling for expedited charging and refueling stations, tax credits and exemptions to accelerate turnover, extending the Scrap-It program to commercial vehicles with higher rebates for low- and zero-emitting vehicles, mandated idle management tools like cab heaters and coolers, and a long combination vehicle network between BC and Alberta.
The Province has stated that it will announce a medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle sales target by the end of 2023.
For More Information
Read the Bulletin Article:
BCTA has Significant Reservations with the Provincial Consultation Paper on Zero-Emission Solutions for Medium-and Heavy-duty Vehicles (June 19, 2023)
Read the B.C. Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles: 2023 Consultation Paper here.
To learn about the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, visit: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/
