Alberta's government is calling a recent federal decision to phase out gas-fuelled cars and trucks as 'bizarrely impossible'.

According to the federal government's announcement yesterday, the new Electric Vehicle Availability Standard mandates that both auto manufacturers and importers must meet annual zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulated sales targets within the coming years, starting in 2026. 2026 will be the model year with a requirement that at least 20 percent of new light-duty vehicles offered for sale in that year be ZEVs.

"The requirements increase annually to 60 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035," the federal government stated. "Given that the average age of a vehicle is 15 years, putting in place a 100 percent ZEV sales target by 2035 will help end the use of polluting light-duty vehicles by 2050."

The regulations apply to all companies that manufacture new passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks in Canada, or import those vehicles into Canada to sell them to the first retail purchaser. Manufacturers and importers have the option to exclude emergency vehicles. All companies have the same targets.

And while the regulations will be phased in over the next 12 years, new light-duty gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles will still be available after 2026.

"Gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles can still be driven after 2035 and can be bought or sold as used vehicles."

However, in a written statement, Premier Smith lambasted the federal government and underlined that it should be more willing to work with the province on a, 'consumer-based market approach that is achievable and doesn’t hurt people.'

"Alberta’s government supports reducing emissions from the transportation sector and supporting Albertans who wish to drive lower-emissions vehicles. However, these efforts must be led by and support consumers and businesses, and the federal government has no legal or moral authority to tell Albertans what vehicles they can and cannot buy," Premier Smith stated.

She also underlined that the province has already purchased and is working with municipalities and industry to explore the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles in its provincial transportation fleet and evaluating options to increase hydrogen fuelling stations across Alberta.

"We’re funding pilots that are testing long-range hydrogen trucks for industry and buses in major cities. We’re working with the same partners to improve access to EV charging stations."

However, the federal government claims that to entice consumers to purchase ZEVs the government will be investing $2 billion into the Incentive for Zero Emissions Vehicle Program (iZEV).

"This program offers consumers up to $5,000 in new electric vehicle purchase incentives. The iZEV program combined with available provincial/territorial incentives brings the purchase price of some new ZEVs within the purchase price range of comparable gas and diesel vehicles."

However, Alberta's Premier believes that the announcement will only result in a shortage of gas-fueled vehicles in the next several years.

"... As millions of consumers in need of combustion engine vehicles, especially those living in smaller municipalities that commute long distances, will be unable to power or afford an EV but also won’t be able to find an appropriate vehicle to drive in their circumstances," Premier Smith said. "...The federal government should focus on helping provinces develop infrastructure and advance technologies that are more suitable to Canada’s long distances and cold weather."

The concern of ZEVs working in cold weather is something the federal government touched on in its announcement stating that electric cars can indeed be driven in very cold weather, citing that countries like Norway have many ZEVs on the roads.

"As ZEV technology improves, so does their cold-weather performance, and this regulation will help ensure Canadians have access to the latest affordable and technologically advanced vehicles that are coming to the market. In the meantime, PHEVs can be a good fit for some vehicle owners looking for a ZEV. These vehicles will help bridge the gap while infrastructure for ZEVs continues to be improved in rural and northern regions."

Currently, there are over 25,000 public EV chargers in Canada. The federal government said that it has allocated over $1.2 billion to support the deployment of more charging stations across the country.

"As of this month, the Government had committed funds for the installation of over 43,000 chargers across the country, with more than 10,000 built and another 30,000 to be built, more than doubling the existing number of public charging stations. Federal funding is being complemented by the work of provinces, territories, municipalities, and the private sector to continue the momentum to build Canada's network."

Premier Smith however in her response cited that Alberta's electrical grid is not capable of handling the demand for electricity that may be placed on the system with a transition to ZEVs

"... The federal government has not provided remotely enough financial assistance to assist provincial grids to meet this mandated electricity demand," she said. 

However, in its announcement, the federal government said that there would be credits to be had for investments in charging infrastructure.

"Credits generated through investments in fast-charging infrastructure can be traded, but cannot be used after model year 2030. Companies may generate one credit for each $20,000 invested in new fast-charging infrastructure projects that meet certain conditions."

Some of these conditions include:

  • Projects must install new DC fast-charging stations.
  • All stations must have a rated power of at least 150 kW.
  • Stations must be operable for at least five years after installation.
  • All stations must be available to any ZEV with a compatible charging port (or compatible adapter).
  • Stations must be opened between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2027.

Recently, the Alberta Motor Association announced that it had completed its Phase I rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at centres across the province.

"Level 2 “Juice Bars,” available to members and non-members alike, are now available in Grande Prairie, Camrose, Edmonton (South, Kingsway and Manning), Sherwood Park, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, and Calgary (Crowfoot)," the AMA stated in October. 

According to the AMA, these projects were partially funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program and the SouthGrow Electric Vehicle Charging Program, administered by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre.

An interactive online map by ATCO shows that within the city of Airdrie, there are nine charging stations for electric vehicles, with one station being dubbed as a 'high power station' which allows for super-charging.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM

In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. You can scan the QR code to download it.b

qr