(Montreal) In less than two weeks, the Government of Quebec will submit two draft regulations aimed at raising the requirements of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) standard so that 2 million electric cars will be on Quebec’s roads by 2030.
The current government target is 1.6 million electric cars in six years.
The Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, Benoit Charette, said in a press release on Friday that the two draft regulations will be submitted to a public consultation which will begin on May 3.
The government aims to achieve 100% sales of new fully electric vehicles by 2035.
According to the most recent inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec, compiled in 2020, 42.8% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measured in the territory come from the transportation sector, of which 20.4% is attributable to light road transport.
Minister Charrette affirms that strengthening the ZEV standard that came into force five years ago will be essential to achieve the objective of reducing GHGs. This standard requires car manufacturers, through a system of credits, to ensure the supply and availability of electric vehicles on the Quebec market, both in variety and in number.
The role of electric cars has been growing in Quebec for several years. The government reports that, for example, last year about 12% of newly registered personal vehicles were electric, compared to 0.7% in 2015. Three months ago, Quebec’s roads had nearly 171,000 light vehicles 100 % electric or rechargeable hybrids, i.e. 32% more than at the same date last year.
Minister Charrette announced his two draft regulations on the first day of the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show (SVEM), which takes place at the Olympic Stadium until Sunday. Several dozen electric cars are on display for the sixth edition of this show.