Put more low-emission vehicles, including electric vehicles, on the roads in Canada.

What success looks like

New charging and refueling infrastructure supports more low-emission vehicles on the roads in Canada, and the federal government adopts low-carbon mobility solutions to modernize its fleet

Government's narrative on progress

Over the past two years, federal, provincial and territorial governments have worked to develop a Canada-wide Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy that allowed for a better understanding of the barriers and greater adoption of zero-emission vehicles by Canadians. This included significant input from an external advisory group of experts, as well as over 160 additional experts in the field. The Government of Canada has adopted ambitious targets, aiming for zero-emission vehicles to constitute 10 per cent of new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2040. In support of these targets, the government is contributing to the establishment of a coast-to-coast network of electric vehicle (EV) fast-chargers along Canada’s highway system, natural gas refueling stations along key freight corridors, and hydrogen stations in metropolitan areas. By 2024, over 1000 new EV fast-chargers, 22 natural gas and 15 hydrogen stations will be built. To date, projects are in place to deliver 526 EV fast-chargers, 12 natural gas and 6 hydrogen stations. The government also initiated 10 projects that address barriers for EV infrastructure such as chargers for multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces and public transit. To further support the uptake of ZEVs, Budget 2019 provided funding for four new measures: • an additional $130 million over five years to expand the network of ZEV charging and refuelling infrastructure to include workplaces, public parking spots, commercial and multi-unit residential buildings, and remote locations; • $300 million over three years for a new federal purchase incentive of up to $5,000 for electric battery or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $45,000; • $5 million over five years to work with auto manufacturers to secure voluntary ZEV sales targets to ensure that vehicle supply meets increased demand; and • Full tax write-offs for ZEVs purchased by businesses in the year they are put in use. In an effort to align North American codes and standards, Canada held two workshops related to hydrogen, with its U.S. counterparts (March 2017 and August 2018), and continues to collaborate on codes and standards for alternative fueled vehicles and infrastructure through the Regulatory Cooperation Council. As described in the Greening Government Strategy released in December 2017, the Government is working to reduce emissions from its own operations by 40% by 2030, and 80% by 2050. Starting in 2019-20, 75 % of new light-duty fleet vehicle purchases will be ZEVs or hybrid, with the objective that the government’s fleet comprises at least 80% of ZEVs by 2030. In support of these goals, to date, 1500 federal fleet vehicles have been assessed to analyze vehicle usage, and identify lower emitting options. The first full fleet assessment of 270 vehicles in one department has been delivered. The report recommends actions that can be taken to reduce emissions by 40% and save more than $1.5M in fuel costs over 7 years.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.