Canada expects to announce this week that all new cars will have to be zero emissions by 2035, a senior government source said, as Ottawa is set to unveil new regulations in the latest example of countries around the world pushing for electrification.
Is this feasible? Will the gov’t take on the cost of building and maintaining sufficient charging stations? Will the price of new EV cars become more affordable? How will the auto industry feel (i.e., lobby) about EVs being the only new cars they can sell? Will auto-associated industries (like repair garages) transition smoothly from ICE to electric vehicles? I imagine the secondary market for ICE cars will explode around 2035. After seeing what’s happened with the much much easier to implement carbon tax, I’m skeptical of this highly ambitious plan working. Increasing rebates for EV bikes seems like a better place to start. There might be more of this “sounds great but how’s it going to happen?” legislation to come as Trudeau tries to hold onto leadership of the Liberal party. I think protecting the environment is really important. Perhaps too important to leave to politicians versus scientists
The scientists who constantly publish papers saying we’re all going to die if we don’t do something drastic immediately? You think they’re going to have a problem with this?
I obviously don’t think climate scientists will have a problem with the intent behind this, nor do I.
My only concern is investing (money, time, attention) in initiatives that don’t have a good chance to succeed. Implementation scientists and policy experts would also be involved under what I was proposing. Others in this post seem to think this plan is more likely to succeed than me - and I’m not an expert, so maybe I’m wrong - and I hope I am
The problem is that the correct way to do this that lets the economy itself find the most efficient and effective way to eliminate emissions? That’s carbon pricing. No need for the government to pick winners and losers, just make everybody pay for the emissions and then businesses and individuals will invest in green solutions because nobody likes wasting money.
And despite that being the economics-oriented market-based, scientific, conservative solution, the “Conservatives” freaking hate it.
And they can destroy it with the stroke of a pen.
So the Liberals need to find solutions that are sticky. Things that can’t be destroyed with a pen. Things like charging infrastructure, and insulation, and green power. Things made of concrete and wires.
Interesting points!
Yes
Sure it is feasible - they have 11 years to build it…
Gas stations are built all the time, and they get the pumps updated and changed all the time. Now everyone in the business is on notice to factor this into their plan. With gas sales dropping off over time that changes how/when you update equipment plenty of money to make today, but you invest less for the future knowing that if your gas pump breaks after 2030 you are likely to just scrap it. The market for the other things gas stations sell still exists (cigarettes have been clearly dieing for decades - something they have experience in managing) Some will install EV chargers - something they now have more confidence in doing.
Auto manufactures already is aware of this, laws just encourage them to work on plans, and 11 years is plenty of time - almost all vehicles get major design changes more often than that.
Some mechanics will hang on to “buggy whips”, but most will see and adjust when forced. Those that can’t - they need to get out of the industry - the world has too many ludites holding us back already.
The secondary market for ICEs will explode for a bit, but by 2040 people will start feeling pain from the lack of gas pumps. Then the only people interested in an ICE will be those who really can’t get by with an EV, by 2045 they will be special ordering fuel at high costs.
You raise some excellent points! And thank you for your thoughtful response!
I hope industry will be as forward-thinking as you believe they will be, even if we have a federal Conservative majority 2 years from now.
IF you see my post elsewhere I laid out a simple trick the liberals can use to ensure the conservative response won’t change much…
11 years is a long time for some things, and too late for other things. It’s a bold statement about a goal line I expect to shift by constant small movements by this party as reality doesn’t match their enthusiasm, and broad leaps by another party when they get a chance.
This is pure wishful thinking. ICE cars will outlast BEVs. It’s the fuel, not the powertrain, that is the problem. BEVs are one of the least effective ways of tackling this problem.
I’m on board for this legislation but I also think these are all very valid points.