The federal government of Canada has announced plans to phase out new vehicles solely powered by gas by 2035 as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This mandate, which aims to only allow the sale of zero-emission vehicles like electric vehicles (EVs) after 2035, has raised questions in Alberta about its practicality and the province's ability to transition to electric vehicles. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault unveiled the plans on Tuesday, emphasizing the need to accelerate the adoption of EVs and reduce reliance on traditional gas-powered vehicles. While some experts believe the mandate is realistic and achievable nationwide, others express concerns about the challenges associated with the transition. William York, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta (EVAA), believes that the transition to EVs can happen more quickly than anticipated, citing the rapid pace of technological advancements in the automotive industry.
However, there are significant hurdles to overcome, particularly in terms of infrastructure. Brian Kingston, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer’s Association, highlights the gap between the current number of public charging stations and the target set by the government. According to Kingston, there are only 25,000 public chargers available, while the government aims to have 442,000 by 2035. Achieving this target would require the construction of 35,000 public chargers annually from now until 2035. The auto industry acknowledges the need for more EV support facilities, such as charging stations, but emphasizes the substantial effort and investment required to meet the government's ambitious goals. Overall, while the federal government's plans to phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035 represent a significant step towards reducing emissions and promoting EV adoption, there are challenges ahead that will require coordinated efforts from government, industry, and other stakeholders to address.
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