Published on
Montreal, December 18, 2017 – Équiterre welcomes the announcement made today by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Isabelle Melançon, on the adoption of the ZEV standard. According to government projections, this standard will ensure that by the year 2025, 10% of new-vehicle sales or rentals will consist of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) or low-emission vehicles (LEV).
“Quebec is leading the way once again with today’s adoption of the ZEV standard,” stated Équiterre Senior Director Steven Guilbeault. “At a time when transportation accounts for over 40% of Quebec’s GHG emissions and has seen the largest increase in emissions of any sector in the province since 1990, we need a variety of measures to reverse this trend. Transport electrification and a policy of sustainable mobility are two key components of an effective strategy to promote transportation that responds to the climate change emergency and to Quebec’s GHG reduction objectives,” he added.
Mr. Guilbeault will be representing environmental groups on the committee struck today by the government to monitor implementation of the ZEV standard. The committee will also include representatives from the Corporation des concessionnaires automobile du Québec (CCAQ), the Department of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change (MDDELCC) and the Coalition zéro émission Québec (CZÉQ).
Although Quebec boasts nearly 40% of Canadian sales of electric vehicles (EV) and the province is fertile ground when it comes to the use of EVs, these sales represent a paltry 1.25% of the total number of vehicles sold. In Iceland, EVs’ share of total sales is 9%, while in Norway it is nearly 40%. China, for its part, has announced an 8% requirement starting next year.
“While we are pleased with this announcement, we remain of the view that the EV sales objectives for 2025 are well below what we can achieve in Quebec,” said Sidney Ribaux, Managing Director of Équiterre. “With all the things we have going for us, in terms of both hydroelectric power and corporate expertise, this objective should be at least 50%. We also believe that the Quebec government should adopt a carrot and stick approach in order to further green the vehicles on our roads. We will continue working in this vein with all concerned actors over the coming years,” Mr. Ribaux concluded.
- 30 -
For more information or to arrange interviews:
Camille Gagné-Raynauld, Media relations, Équiterre
514 605-2000, cgraynauld@equiterre.org
Additional Information :
Équiterre salue l’adoption de la Loi Véhicules Zéro Émission, Équiterre October 26 2017 Press Release
New Report by Équiterre : Accelerating the transition to electric mobility in Canada - The case for a zero-emission vehicle mandate, Report published on May 29 2017
