Canada to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and light trucks from 2035

OTTAWA, June 29 (Reuters) – Canada will ban the sale of new fuel-powered cars and light trucks from 2035 with the goal of achieving net zero emissions nationwide by 2050, the government said on Tuesday by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Only zero-emission cars and trucks can be sold from 2035, according to a statement, adding that a mix of investments and regulations will help the industry transition to that goal. The government has also said it will set interim targets for 2025 and 2030.

“We are committed to aligning Canada’s zero-emission vehicle sales targets with those of North America’s most ambitious jurisdictions,” Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in the statement.

Britain announced last year that it would ban gasoline vehicles from 2030, while the United States has yet to set a date. California, America’s largest auto market, announced last year that it would switch to electric vehicles starting in 2035, and the Canadian province of Quebec has set the same target. L8N2I41CT

British Columbia is phasing out gasoline-powered cars and trucks, and a total ban will come into effect in 2040.

“We will work with the United States to harmonize energy efficiency regulations and we are investing in consumer discounts, charging stations, tax breaks for businesses and industry transition costs,” said added Wilkinson.

Trudeau, 49, has pledged to put Canada, the second largest country in the world in terms of land mass, on a net zero emission path by 2050. Shifting transportation away from fossil fuels is critical to achieving this goal. goal.

Canadians broadly support the fight against climate change, and Trudeau is expected to call an election in September to get rid of his reliance on opposition support in a minority parliament.

“Canada cannot meet its greenhouse gas targets if emissions from cars, SUVs and pickup trucks, which are currently growing, are not reduced,” said Keith Brooks, Group Director of Programs. Defense Environmental Defense, which welcomed this decision.

Brooks said only 3.5% of vehicles currently sold in Canada are electric and the government needs to do more to support the zero-emission vehicle market.

Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Richard Chang

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.