The David Suzuki Foundation welcomes the passing of B.C.’s legislation on zero-emission cars and trucks as an important step to make it easier for British Columbians to go electric. The act is a critical contribution to decreasing carbon pollution from the transportation sector, which accounts for about 40 per cent of B.C.’s carbon emissions.
“New laws like this are a critical solution to the climate crisis,” David Suzuki Foundation science and policy director Ian Bruce said. “Making electric vehicles more accessible to British Columbians, along with support for biking and walking and better public transit, is one of the most effective steps we can take.”
Momentum for electric vehicles is growing. B.C.’s law comes hot on the heels of the federal government’s announcement at the Clean Energy Ministerial that Canada is the first country to sign on to the Drive to Zero Pledge, an international initiative aimed at increasing the number of zero- and low-emission vehicles in the medium- and heavy-duty transportation sector.
ZEV numbers are growing and represented more than six per cent of new passenger vehicle sales in B.C. in the first quarter of 2019. Reducing personal vehicle emissions is one of the most important ways to reduce overall emissions from this heavily emitting sector.
Electric cars perform better, are more energy efficient, create less air and carbon pollution and are cheaper to operate than gasoline-powered vehicles. Reducing personal vehicle emissions is one of the most important ways to reduce overall emissions from the transportation sector.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Theresa Beer: tbeer@davidsuzuki.org, 778-874-3396