The Quebec government is set to introduce two draft regulations which hope to increase the requirements for the zero-emission vehicle standard.
The city has set a goal to have 2 million electric cars on Quebec roads by 2030. The current target is 1.6 million electric cars within the next 6 years.
Environment Minister Benoit Charette stated that the two draft regulations will be open to public consultation starting May 3. The government’s ultimate aim is for 100 per cent of new vehicle sales to be all-electric by 2035.
According to the latest inventory of Quebec’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, 42.8 per cent of the province’s GHGs come from the transportation sector. Out of this, 20.4 per cent is due to light road transportation.
Charette stated that strengthening the ZEV standard, which was implemented five years ago, will be crucial in reaching the GHG reduction target. This standard requires automobile manufacturers to ensure the supply and availability of electric vehicles on the Quebec market, both in variety and in number, through a system of credits.
Quebec has seen a rise in EV popularity over the last few years. Last year, 12 per cent of newly registered individual vehicles were electric, compared to only 0.7 per cent in 2015.
Charrette announced the two draft regulations on the first day of the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show (SVEM), which will run until Sunday at the Olympic Stadium. The sixth edition of the show features several dozen electric cars on display.
