The B.C. government has released their climate leadership plan, and news is good for drivers who want to go green.
The plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050.
By applying the incentive based approach outlined in the plan, the transportation sector can continue to play an important role in greenhouse gas emissions targets. One of the key approaches includes the government will upgrade incentives for commercial fleets to convert to natural gas.
It will also boost our low carbon fuel standard, which requires all gasoline and diesel sold in B.C. to include a certain percentage of renewable fuels. The standard will increase to 15 per cent by 2030.
Probably one of the most important measures, however, is a renewed focus on incentive programs for electric vehicles (EV).
The Clean Energy Vehicle for B.C. (CEVforBC) program is managed by the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. It encourages residents, businesses, organizations and local governments throughout our province to invest in a green ride by offering up to $5,000 off the pre-tax sticker price of qualifying new electric vehicles, and up to $6,000 off hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
So far, more than 2,700 zero emission vehicles (ZEV) have been purchased through the program and more than $12.5 million in incentives have been distributed through B.C.'s new car dealers.
CEVforBC is often used alongside B.C.'s SCRAP-IT initiative, which offers various incentives if someone scraps a qualifying older-model vehicle. The aim of these programs is to get older, higher-polluting cars off the road and drive consumers toward zero emissions models.
The new plan pledges to expand the CEV program with additional incentives and infrastructure, as well as an educational component and economic development.
The climate leadership plan also helps break down another barrier to EV ownership - access to charging stations.
Government support has led to more than 1,100 charging stations being installed across B.C. However, some regions within the Lower Mainland and the province as a whole still have limited access.
As part of the new plan, the provincial government will develop regulations paving the way for local governments to require EV charging infrastructure in all new buildings.
With more people adopting EV technology, additional stations will help current owners feel confident in their new car and motivate potential buyers to consider green rides.
Proven approaches like incentive programs and charging station facilitation have already helped B.C. become a forerunner in Canada's EV market. In fact, B.C. has the highest per capita sales of clean energy vehicles in Canada.
These initiatives embrace the auto sector's duty to combat climate change while promoting the continued success of this thriving industry. Supporting and expanding them is a smart investment in our province's fight against climate change.
With the backing of the B.C. government, the hard work and innovation of our auto sector, and the growing acceptance of consumers like you, electric vehicle sales in our province will be an important driver towards our emission goals.
If you want to do your part in cutting emissions, visit your local new car dealer to learn what EVs can offer. B.C.'s new car dealers, such as Campus Nissan in Victoria, which has been selected to receive Plug'n Drive's national Leading Battery Electric Vehicle Dealership Award for their electric sales efforts in 2015, are at the leading edge of today's solutions. Keep up the great work!
Blair Qualey is president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. You can email him at [email protected].
