File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Leading the way in zero-emission vehicles

Nov 1, 2023 | 10:30 AM

THESE DAYS, more and more people in B.C. are choosing electric for their next vehicle. In addition to improving air quality and supporting a healthier planet for everyone, zero-emission vehicles cost dramatically less over time to operate and maintain.

B.C. has long been a leader in zero-emission vehicles, and we were the first place in the world to put an electric vehicle sales target into law. And it has been working. We’ve consistently exceeded our annual sales targets, and now we are accelerating these targets to provide better access and choice for buyers and reduce wait times.

By 2026, 26 per cent of new light duty vehicle sales in B.C. will be zero-emission vehicles. By 2030, that number will be 90 per cent and by 2035 it will be 100 per cent.

These new targets will help ensure that B.C. gets the supply of new zero-emission vehicles we need, helping to reduce wait times and increase access. This in turn will also mean more used vehicles available on the market, at lower prices.

We are making it more affordable for people to buy zero-emission vehicles with the Go Electric program, which provides rebates for purchasing vehicles and chargers. There are even rebates to install chargers at workplaces and stratas.

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B.C. already has one of the largest public EV charging networks in Canada, with more than 4,800 charging stations, and more are on the way. We’ve increased our charging network by over 500 per cent since 2016. We are specifically working to fill in geographic gaps in the network, so that people can get wherever they need to go. Making it more convenient to drive and charge these vehicles will make them a more appealing option to British Columbians.

Reducing our emissions and protecting our environment is a shared goal. Helping more people transition to zero-emission vehicles, sooner, is one way we are planning for a cleaner, greener future.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.