With Ottawa’s new rules announced Tuesday, the pressure increases a notch on manufacturers to deliver a minimum of 20% of electric cars to dealerships within two years and 100% by 2035.
• Read also: Electric vehicles: Ottawa galvanizes the transition with new credits
“It is a credit system that involves financial penalties. It’s like giving a $250 speeding ticket to a multimillionaire,” image Martin Archambault, electrical specialist and producer of the podcast Silence we ride, to describe the new rules presented with great fanfare by the Trudeau government on Tuesday.
Basically, manufacturers who fail to deliver the goods will be able to buy credits from others.
“Large companies could decide to voluntarily pay fines for a while. It will put pressure, but it will not be an absolute,” analyzes Martin Archambault, who nevertheless welcomes the ambition of the government gesture.
After the announcement, Quebec Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, received the new Canadian standards. “ZEV standards work. Quebec can attest to this,” he declared.
“The experience of Quebec and British Columbia demonstrates very well the effectiveness and importance of such a standard,” indicated Stéphane Pascalon, president of the Tesla Club Quebec.
More than 22.8% electric cars
While Quebec has just exceeded 22.8% of electric registrations, according to a report from the New York firm S&P Global consulted by The newspaperelectric vehicles still remain expensive in the eyes of many Quebecers.
Even if we are entitled to a purchase rebate of $12,000 ($7,000 from Quebec and $5,000 from Ottawa) and the savings related to gasoline amount to thousands of dollars each year, the cost of purchase is often hard to absorb during periods of inflation.
Asked about the price, federal officials said that by 2030, the price of electric vehicles should be about the same as that of combustion-powered cars.
Electric vehicles at $40,000
While the waiting lists to obtain an electric car stretched, they are shorter today, if we rely on the dealers contacted by The newspaper.
We could easily find Leafs ($41,248 to $49,848) or Ariya ($52,998 to $69,998) in stock this week in the Montreal area.
The Ioniq 6 ($54,999 to $63,999) had a wait of three or four months at certain dealerships. As for the Ioniq 5 ($48,999 to $60,999), we had to wait another good year.
Photo provided by Ian P. Sam Yue Chi
“The waiting lists have melted like snow in the sun over the last year,” noted Ian P. Sam Yue Chi, CEO of the Corporation des concessionaires automobiles du Québec (CCAQ).
“We can deliver it immediately in several brands,” he added.
Lorraine-Fort Lauderdale for $0
In the camp of people won over by the electric car, Manon Piché, driver of a Tesla, is full of praise for this mode of driving, which has truly become a way of life for her.
Manon Piché believes that the feeling of security is greater with Tesla’s electric car for long journeys.
Photo provided by Manon Piché
The newspaper spoke to him on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, after a 2,700 km journey from Lorraine to his hotel in Florida.
“It went like a charm with my 2017 Tesla. It cost $0, because the superchargers are free on the trip. It’s zero emissions, environmentally-wise; it’s important to me,” shared Manon Piché, director of operations at Martin Chef Inc. Tax Notary.
Why $0? Because early Tesla buyers weren’t paying for Supercharges. This was an advantage.
“It’s the safety aspect of Teslas that reassures me. Everything is filmed. We are never alone. We are well guided. For a woman, it’s a big plus,” concludes the electromobilist, who has just ordered Elon Musk’s futuristic Cybertruck.
– With the collaboration of Guillaume St-Pierre and Raphaël Pirro
Ottawa’s new requirements for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)
20% ZEVs at Canadian new car dealerships in 2026
60% ZEVs at Canadian new car dealerships in 2030
100% ZEVs at Canadian new car dealerships in 2035