Will Canada's new auto strategy put as many EVs on the road as Carney says?

Despite widespread approval from provinces and auto manufacturers, Prime Minister Mark Carney's auto plan might not accelerate the transition to electric vehicles as fast as he says. 

On Thursday, Carney ended Canada's electric vehicle mandate, resumed purchase incentives and said higher standards for fuel efficiency were coming. Ontario and Alberta's premiers said they were both "pleased" and car manufacturers said the move provided "welcome policy stability."

Carney says his government expects EVs to hit 75 per cent of new car purchases in 2035 without a sales mandate.

Some climate change experts not only doubt this — but say the new strategy undermines Canada's climate goals.

"This policy is giving in way too much," said Simon Donner, a climate scientist and University of British Columbia professor, in an interview with CBC Radio's The House.

Transportation is one of the most polluting sectors in the country, behind oil and gas production. Canada won't reach its climate targets, and especially net-zero emission targets, if most drivers don't switch to low- or no-emission vehicles, those experts say.

For decades, greenhouse gas emissions from cars, SUVs and trucks have been on the rise. 

One policy aimed at reducing those emissions was the consumer carbon tax.

On his first day in office, Carney eliminated that tax — which he said had become too divisive. It wouldn't be the last Trudeau-era policy he'd slash.

Since then, Carney weakened a commitment to implement an oil and gas emissions cap and abandoned Trudeau's promise to plant two billion trees. He also agreed to greenlight a possible Alberta-backed bitumen pipeline to British Columbia's coast.

The prime minister was asked Thursday if he still considered himself a leader on climate change.

"Absolutely. I consider Canada a leader on climate change and on focusing on climate change results and solutions," Carney said.

The NDP found those comments hard to stomach. 

"I think the facts completely belie that," interim NDP Leader Don Davies said. "He's eliminated the carbon tax, he eliminated the EV targets … he's weakened environmental standards in Alberta and he's promoting a bitumen pipeline to the West Coast.