The federal Liberal government of Canada has outlined a plan to transition away from traditional gas-powered vehicles, aiming for all new sales of passenger cars, SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks to be hybrids, electric, or hydrogen-powered by 2035. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault emphasized a progressive shift towards facilitating the purchase of electric vehicles, intending for 100% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2035. However, existing gas-powered vehicles can still be used beyond this date; the restriction applies only to new purchases.
The plan excludes emergency vehicles, farm equipment, and specific hybrid vehicles with an electric range of at least 80 kilometers. Addressing concerns about the electrical grid's capacity, experts believe it can support the transition with necessary adjustments. A 2020 report commissioned by Natural Resources Canada indicated a potential 22.6% increase in power demand by 2050 due to electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for grid expansion and improvement.
While the federal government acknowledged the need for over $400 billion to achieve a net-zero grid by 2035, critics fear this could raise costs and impact reliability. Nevertheless, proponents argue that individual electric vehicle usage is manageable and can contribute to more predictable grid preparations.
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