Slowing sales raise questions about B.C.’s electric vehicle mandate

Under B.C. law, 26 per cent of new vehicle sales must be electric vehicles by 2026, but industry analysts say that is increasingly unrealistic.

The British Columbia government is facing renewed questions about whether its aggressive electric vehicle (EV) sales mandates can be achieved.

Under current B.C. law, 26 per cent of new light-duty vehicles sold in B.C. must be zero-emission by 2026, a figure climbing to 90 per cent in 2030 and 100 per cent in 2035.

B.C. has, to date, been a Canadian leader in EV adoption, with 24 per cent of new vehicle shoppers snapping one up in 2024.

But that momentum has run into trouble. Both Ottawa and B.C. phased out their EV subsidies earlier this year, and the auto industry says sales dropped quickly afterward.

“The first quarter, we were pushing 19 per cent in adoption rate. In April, it was down to 15 per cent … in May it’s about flat with 15 per cent again, so the math is just not there to achieve the 26 per cent in 2026,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the New Car Dealers’ Association of B.C.

“The 2030 number is virtually impossible.”

Powering British Columbia’s roads under a fully electric scenario is another concern.

Barry Penner, chair of the Energy Futures Institute, said his group modelled the electricity needs B.C. would face if it did meet its 100 per cent adoption target by 2035.