Sales of zero-emissions vehicles have improved since the federal government’s iZEV rebate program took effect in May.
According to the Minister of Transport Marc Garneau, so far 14,000 ZEVs have been purchased/leased over the past three months. It is estimated that the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per year from this number alone is equivalent to up to 36,000 tonnes — or 429,000 tonnes over the lifespan of these vehicles.
“Over the past three months, the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program have made it easier for Canadians to be part of the solution to climate change while reducing their daily driving costs,” said Garneau in a news release. “Our government is proud of the progress made in such a short amount of time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it continues to work towards a cleaner future for Canadians.”
That being said, ZEVs only represent about 3 per cent of all new light-duty vehicles sold in the first half of 2019 — up from approximately 2 per cent during the same period in 2018.
With the rebates, and improvements in EV infrastructure across Canada, the government is making its way towards its sales target of having ZEVs make up 10 per cent of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2025.
