Montreal, Quebec — Automotive industry stakeholders warn that the Quebec government’s plan to toughen zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) regulations will keep older, polluting vehicles on the road longer, despite the intent to boost electric vehicle supply and sales.
This follows an announcement from Quebec’s Environment Minister, Benoit Charette, stating that the province would accelerate the yearly percentage quota for ZEV sales until they have achieved 100 percent sales in 2035.
“With these revised targets, some manufacturers who have the lowest new vehicle average emissions will be [penalized] because they are not putting enough EVs on the market,” said David Adams, president of the Global Automakers of Canada.
This increase would be enforced through stronger penalties, increasing the current fine of $5,000 per vehicle for failing to meet ZEV sales targets, increased to $20,000 per vehicle.
“Faced with the government’s haste, car manufacturers could decide to simply reduce the volume of vehicles distributed for our market in order to avoid penalties,” said Ian P. Sam Yue Chi, president of the Corporation of Quebec Automobile Dealers.
Currently, Quebec provides incentives of up to $7,000 per vehicle and has a 12 percent EV adoption rate among newly registered passenger vehicles, with aims to achieve 22 percent adoption by 2025.
