Electric Mobility Canada applauds ECCC’s new Federal EV Availability Standard that will help increase access to affordable electric vehicles -

Electric Mobility Canada applauds ECCC’s new Federal EV Availability Standard that will help increase access to affordable electric vehicles

December 19, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2023 MONTREAL – For Electric Mobility Canada (EMC), today marks one of the most important milestones in Canadian electric vehicle (EV) […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2023

MONTREAL – For Electric Mobility Canada (EMC), today marks one of the most important milestones in Canadian electric vehicle (EV) history to date. The honourable Steven Guilbeault, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a regulation that will secure the supply of affordable EVs for Canadians.

Over the past several years, EMC has been vocal in its support of a federal EV availability standard. EMC has been consistent in its messaging: A lack of affordable supply of EVs in Canada continues to be one of the key barriers to uptake. While global vehicle supply and variety are expanding rapidly, automakers are prioritizing markets where they are required to sell more EVs. In EMC’s 2030 EV Action Plan, one of the key policy recommendations is to implement an EV sales regulation. Although there are a dozen reasons why Canada needs this standard, skeptics and critics remain opposed, largely due to the misinformation that runs rampant online and in various other outlets.

“The Federal EV Availability Standard is a win for Canadians. They win by looking forward to more choice, less wait time and better prices. The Canadian economy and the EV ecosystem win because it will ensure EVs built in Canada are available to Canadians. It will also ensure market predictability for Canadian businesses not to mention public and residential charging infrastructure. And, our environment will win – fewer fossil-fueled vehicles on the roads means fewer GHG emissions, cleaner air and better health for Canadians”, stated Daniel Breton, President & CEO of Electric Mobility Canada.

In Quebec and B.C., where ZEV sales regulations have been in place for quite some time, consumers have more choice in EV supply, makes and models than in any other province. EV sales are highest in those provinces which is no coincidence.

As a people-centred policy, the EV Availability Standard will provide consumers with the opportunity to choose from a wider array of EVs should they want one; it will also drastically reduce wait times by ensuring dealerships have the supply needed to keep up with demand. EV sales in Canada are growing at a rapid pace. According to StatsCan, as of Q3 2023, ZEV sales were at 12.1% across Canada, up 40% from Q3 2022 (1).

“EMC is proud of the years-long dedication shown by its members, partners and staff for advocating for this Standard under the leadership of the Canadian government”, shared Breton.

Quick facts

The Federal EV availability standard will ensure that EVs built in Canada will be available to Canadians.
There currently are 47 different ZEV models (2) officially available below the average selling price ($67,817 according to Auto Trader) (3) of a new light duty vehicle in Canada, when including the federal ZEV rebate, and that number keeps growing. In the 6 (soon 7 provinces) and 2 territories where there are provincial rebates, the competitiveness of EVs compared to gas vehicles is even more compelling.
There currently are over 25,000 public charging ports in Canada (4), and this Standard will create the market predictability necessary to efficiently plan charging infrastructure investments. With planning, the electric grid will be able to support the influx of EVs that this Standard will inevitably create. Learn more by reading EMC’s Grid Readiness Statement published in November 2023.
The new Federal EV Availability Standard will help increase the choice of affordable EVs for Canadians, and will exert a downward pressure on EV prices, as the EV supply increases, therefore helping Canadian consumers in their ability to negotiate the best possible price for their new EV.
Energy costs for EVs are 50 per cent to 90 percent lower than for gas vehicles. On average, EV drivers save $2,000 per year through lower energy and maintenance costs.
Major investments in the EV industry are helping save and create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs all across the country.
Nine out of ten current EV owners in Canada want their next car to be another ZEV (5).
The Federal EV Availability Standard will provide EV supply and choice security to Canadians.
The Federal EV Availability Standard is the only policy that will ensure Canada can reach its ZEV sales targets.
The Federal EV Availability Standard will help Canada reach its GHG emission reduction targets.

Sources

Electric Mobility Canada

Electric Mobility Canada Electric Mobility Canada is the unifying and authoritative voice for the transition to electric transportation across Canada. Founded in 2006, EMC is the national industry association that enables and accelerates the transition to sustainable electric mobility through advocacy, collaboration, education, and thought leadership, with the ultimate goal of creating a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for all Canadians.

Media Contact
Anna Schuett
Director of Communications
Electric Mobility Canada
anna.schuett@emc-mec.ca
(514) 787-2757

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2023

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2023