Sale of zero-emission vehicles jump after launch of federal incentive program

Vehicles purchased or leased under the program reduces GHG emissions by 36,000 tonnes over the next year

OTTAWA, Aug. 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians' quality of life?and Canada's future growth?are deeply tied to the environment. To support the transition to a low-carbon transportation system, the Government of Canada has set sales targets for new zero-emission vehicles in Canada. The government has several measures in place to help meet these targets, including the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program, which provides incentives for people and businesses to purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport is pleased to mark a milestone of more than 14,000 purchases or leases to date through its Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program launched three months ago. This represents an estimated reduction of up to 36,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, or 429,000 tonnes over the expected lifespan of these vehicles.?

Sales of all zero-emission vehicles in Canada for the first six months of 2019 are up 30% compared with last year. Zero-emission vehicles represented roughly 3% of all new, light-duty vehicles sold in the first half of 2019, compared to roughly 2% during the same period in 2018.

Canada is committed to working with like-minded jurisdictions and is now a member of the International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance, an international group of governments joining forces to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. This follows the June 2019 agreement between Canada and California on advancing clean vehicles and fuels, which includes working together to analyze measures to help achieve zero-emission vehicle sales targets.

Through these efforts, the Government of Canada is encouraging the use of zero-emission vehicles and making this clean technology more affordable to Canadians, while promoting a cleaner environment and better quality of life.

Quote

"The time to act on climate change is now. Over the past three months, the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program have made it easier for Canadians to be part of the solution to climate change while reducing their daily driving costs. Our Government is proud of the progress made in such a short amount of time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it continues to work towards a cleaner future for Canadians."

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

• Transportation accounts for a quarter of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, almost half of which comes from cars and light trucks. The government is committed to putting more zero-emission vehicles on the road, which offer the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the longer-term.
• Zero-emission vehicles, which include battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, offer the potential to significantly reduce vehicle emissions, particularly over the long-term.
• Sales targets for new zero-emission vehicles in Canada: 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales by to zero-emission vehicles by 2025, 30% by 2030, and 100% by 2040.
• Since May 1, 2019, Canadians who purchase or lease an eligible battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or longer range plug-in hybrid vehicle, will receive an incentive of $5,000. Canadians who purchase or lease a shorter-range plug-in hybrid vehicle will receive an incentive of $2,500.
• There are over 25 zero-emissions models, made by 15 different manufacturers, eligible for an incentive under the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program.

Related Document

• Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program
• List of eligible vehicles under the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program
• Agreement between Canada and California on advancing clean vehicles and fuels

SOURCE Transport Canada