Course Correction Needed on Zero Emission Vehicle Act

Renewable Cities provided input on B.C.’s proposed ZEV Act regulations, outlining the imperative to meet 2030 targets in its largest and fastest growing sector: personal transportation. As B.C.’s largest GHG sub-sector, decarbonizing passenger transportation is pivotal to meeting climate action targets and making a defensible contribution to protecting our climate.

Despite a constellation of factors that can and should make B.C. a clear leader in ZEV market transformation, this leadership potential is at risk under the existing ZEV Act, proposed ZEV Act intentions, and broader policy trends that are inconsistent with CleanBC’s commitments to “cut congestion” and “make transit more accessible and efficient”.

Renewable Cities’ recommendations reduce the risk that B.C. will fail to meet its CleanBC GHG reduction targets and enable the province to emerge as a recognized leader in accelerating zero emission vehicle market transformation:

1. Accelerating 100% ZEV targets to 2030 from 2040, joining other small, smart jurisdictions (Norway, Iceland, Netherlands, Sweden).

2. Strengthening governance and regulatory rigour and close loopholes.

3. Buttressing the ZEV agenda with integrated transportation and land use policies to curb the massive growth of personal transportation emissions and vehicle stock, which is growing at 2 times population growth rates.

Read Renewable Cities’ full submission: SFU RC_ZEV Act Regulations Submission