Automotive associations in Canada on Oct. 10 revealed just how concerned British Columbians are with the provincial government’s regulation requiring 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2035.
Their news release highlights key data from a survey conducted by Leger for the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, and Global Automakers of Canada. The survey found that half of B.C. residents oppose the plan to require 90% ZEV sales by 2030 and 100% sales by 2035.
“The drastic B.C. electric vehicle mandate is not supported by the public or common sense,” said Huw Williams, national spokesperson for CADA, in a statement. “The risk of forcing the 100 per cent transitions to ZEVs too fast and too soon is that consumers will simply hang on to old, higher emitting vehicles, while costs and affordability will spiral out of control.”
Four-in-10 respondents would not consider a ZEV for their next vehicle purchase, as they are worried about cost and lack of charging infrastructure and vehicle ranges. For the latter issue on charging, two-thirds of respondents do not think this area is up to speed to support ZEV sales regulation targets.
Furthermore, seven-in-10 were not aware that OEMs may not be able to provide them with a gasoline-powered vehicle until enough ZEVs are sold — due to the penalty they would face.
“Whether it is moving to (ZEVs) or transitioning other elements of society away from fossil fuels, 57 per cent of British Columbians are concerned about the availability, reliability, and cost of electricity according to the survey results,” said David Adams, President and CEO of the Global Automakers of Canada, in a statement.
He added that such concerns resulted in only 20 per cent of those same respondents willing to strongly consider an electric vehicle for their next auto purchase. “These results are disconcerting.”
The online survey included 1,002 B.C. residents and was completed between Sept. 27-29, 2024.
