Québec is heading towards a complete ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles starting in 2035.
The tabling of a draft regulation on this topic was announced by the Ministry of Environment, Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks; it was published on the provincial government’s website in July. The regulation targets new ICE vehicles from model year 2034 and earlier. Based on the draft, these models cannot be sold or leased in the province as of Jan. 1, 2035.
“For vehicles from the 2035 model year and later, it will be prohibited to sell or lease them in Québec, whether new or used,” read the update on the provincial government’s website. “These bans would apply to all industry players, including physical or online merchants, as well as to citizens.”
The government also plans to conduct a market maturity assessment around 2030, which they said would allow for potential adjustments to ensure a smoother transition. They also noted that Québec is still investing in charging infrastructure and workforce training for the maintenance of electric vehicles.
However, the government also previously announced that it will phase out its provincial-level EV rebates, which could lower consumer incentive to purchase such vehicles. Pricing, infrastructure, and consumer lack of education around certain aspects of EVs remain barriers to more wide-scale adoption.
“The draft regulation is subject to public consultation for a period of 45 days. Persons wishing to submit comments are invited to do so in writing by August 25, 2024. Following this period, the draft regulation will be reviewed and republished, in its final form, with a view to coming into force by December 31, 2024.”
More information is available on the provincial government website.
