British Columbians are embracing zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) faster than any other jurisdiction in North America, according to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
ZEVs represented 13 per cent of all new light-duty vehicle sales in B.C. last year, according to the province’s 2021 Zero-Emission Vehicle Update.
“The annual ZEV update shows that people and businesses in B.C. are eager to make the switch to cleaner energy, and we’re helping people make this transition through our CleanBC Go Electric suite of programs,” said Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation.
Two CleanBC programs, the Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots (CVP) program and the Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive (SUVI) program, are designed to encourage businesses, non-profit organizations, local governments and other public entities to adopt electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to replace gas or diesel vehicles in their commercial fleets.
Since November 2017, the SUVI program has provided 777 rebates worth $3.5 million for zero-emission speciality-use vehicles, according to the ministry.
The CVP program, launched in January 2021, has provided $9.6 million in funding to support the adoption of commercial ZEVs and supporting infrastructure. Through this program, the province has committed funds to four projects that have added 10 battery-electric vehicles, four hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and 11 commercial vehicle charging stations.
“The switch to electric vehicles for personal and commercial use means less carbon and air pollution, a cleaner environment, and lower fuel and maintenance costs for the growing number of ZEV users,” said George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy.
The annual ZEV update tracks B.C.’s progress toward its zero-emission vehicle targets and is a requirement under the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, implemented in 2019.
