Toronto, Ontario –– With the Canadian Government’s release of “A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy” climate change action plan, the Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) are ready to be a part of the change but know it comes down to more than just zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) incentives.
The federal government’s plan promises to invest millions of dollars into ensuring Canadians have access to clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community. One of the top priorities is to invest an additional $287 million into continuing the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program over the next two years. This will see Canadians receive a rebate of up to $5,000 on light-duty ZEVs.
“Greenhouse gas emissions from new light-duty vehicles have decreased 21% since 2005 and automakers will continue to be part of Canada’s climate change solutions,” said David Adams, President and CEO of GAC. “Our members know that the future of light-duty vehicle transportation is decarbonized and they are doing their part with the introduction of more than 125 new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) between now and 2025, however, the sale of ZEVs alone won’t achieve the necessary emissions reductions. It will be important for the government to seek reductions from the heavy-duty and commercial on-road sectors, as well as the current on-road light-duty vehicle fleet by getting older, more polluting vehicles off of the road,” added Adams.
The GAC, which consists of fifteen members that represent the world’s leading automakers in Canada, is hopeful the federal government will also prioritize making the transition to a decarbonized future smoother.
In order to build a decarbonized future, there needs to be a focus on how the economy is going to evolve in terms of supply chains, skills training, assembly plants, and even charging and fueling infrastructure. There will also have to be an emphasis on education and awareness campaigns so that consumers understand the benefits of ZEVs but also how their vehicle choices directly impact GHG emissions.
“Vehicle manufacturers and distributors will continue to do their part in this transition, however, it is essential that we have not only consultation but ongoing collaboration with the federal government –as well as the provinces–to achieve these challenging goals and targets,” said Adams.
