François Legault still refuses to penalize the purchase of large vehicles

(Montreal) François Legault still refuses to put the brakes on the purchase of SUVs and pickup trucks, despite his concerns about global warming which is brutally manifesting itself in Europe, Africa and the West of the country these days. this.

Asked about this during a partisan announcement in Montreal on Thursday, Mr. Legault acknowledged that “global warming is worrying for the whole planet and it is worrying especially when we think of our children, our grandchildren. children “.

“We must act,” he said.

However, he refused to even address the question of disincentives to the purchase of large vehicles, despite insistent questions about it. Rather, the Prime Minister only wanted to talk about the incentives offered for the purchase of electric vehicles, on which he relies heavily.

“We have very important incentives for those who buy electric vehicles”, he first recalled, while acknowledging that there is a bone: “Unfortunately, for the moment, there are delays delivery times, which are long, but we will continue to do so with incentives for people to buy more electric vehicles. »

In fact, these vehicles are mostly unobtainable and buyers find themselves on waiting lists that can reach and even exceed two years. Meanwhile, sales of “light trucks” – a segment that includes SUVs and pickup trucks – continue to rise.

Main cause of the increase in GHGs

However, transportation remains the largest producer of greenhouse gases in Quebec and according to a report published last February by the Chair of Energy Sector Management at HEC Montreal published last February, it is the growth of sales of light trucks, which has been the main cause of the increase in Quebec’s GHG emissions since 2014.

This growth is phenomenal. Long recognized as the largest consumer of small economy cars in North America, Quebec has since succumbed to the charms of large, heavy and energy-guzzling vehicles.

SUVs and light trucks, which accounted for approximately 20.1% of the vehicle fleet in 2011, now occupy nearly 42.2%. The proportion of automobiles fell from 71.3% to 55.1% of the Quebec automobile fleet.

Mr. Legault recalled in passing that Quebec is the state with the lowest GHG emission rate in North America, a situation mainly attributable to the availability of renewable electricity produced by hydroelectric dams.

Also, he recalled, “we have announced major projects in public transit, including the REM de l’Est, including the blue line. There are also some on the North Shore, on the South Shore”.

“It is certain that we must continue to act,” defended the Prime Minister, reaffirming his objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. “That is what we are aiming for and we hope that the neighbors will do the same thing. »