Skip to main content

ZEV standard: automakers to provide more hybrid and EVs, Quebec

The government of Quebec has approved its Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Standard to allow the province to regulate automakers and ensure sustained growth in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road for meeting needs of its citizenry. It is part of a continuum of solutions to improve air quality as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will come into effect in early 2018.
December 22, 2017 Read time: 3 mins
The government of Quebec has approved its Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Standard to allow the province to regulate automakers and ensure sustained growth in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road for meeting needs of its citizenry. It is part of a continuum of solutions to improve air quality as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will come into effect in early 2018.

 
Automakers covered by the standard will earn credits through the sale of ZEV or low-emission vehicles to residents. Credits will be awarded in proportion to efficiency in zero-emission mode. The percentage of mandatory credits will be calculated by the total number of new vehicles sold or leased in the province and manufacturers will start earning credits with model year 2018.
 
Major automakers who sell or lease more than 20,000 vehicles in Quebec annually, will need to earn a specified percentage of credits based exclusively on ZEV models, starting in 2020. Manufacturers that do not achieve their target will be required to purchase credits from other automakers that have excess credits available or pay a fee to the government. Income will be paid to the Green Fund and used to support climate change projects.
 
These regulations also permit vehicles that have been upgraded by car makers and licensed for the first time in Quebec to qualify for credits. This measure was included to make it possible for low-income households to choose ZEVs.
 
The ZEV standard is consistent with the targets set out in the Transportation Electrification Action Plan 2015–2020 and the 2013–2020 Climate Change Action Plan. It adds to a series of government measures, including a rebate on the purchase price of EVs, funding for charging stations, the development of an extended network of charging stations in all regions of the province and other ZEV benefits such as the free use of toll bridges.

Quebec's government has created a committee to monitor the evolution of the dossier; led by the Corporation des concessionnaires automobile du Québec and the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques. Its representatives will rely on the Coalition zéro émission Québec and Steven Guilbeault, cofounder and senior director of Équiterre.
 
Isabelle Melançon, minister of sustainable development, environment and the Fight against Climate Change, said: "The current vehicle offering does not meet growing consumer demand. Many Québécois want to drive clean vehicles but face a dearth of cars on the market and/or discouragingly lengthy waiting times. We need to release these limitations on consumer choice, and that is the intent of the ZEV.”

More information about the ZEV standard is available %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external here false http://http//www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changementsclimatiques/vze/index-en.htm false false%>.

Related Content

  • ITS International 2013 Readership Survey
    March 13, 2013
    The ITS International 2013 Readership Survey is now out! You may have received an invitation earlier in the week to complete the 2013 Readership Survey. The Readership Survey was sent exclusively to our registered subscribers asking them to comment on all aspects of ITS International; print, eNewsletter and website. This is a great opportunity for you to give input directly to the editorial team and help shape the future of the magazine.
  • Call for entries for 2013 best of ITS awards
    October 19, 2012
    The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) will recognise member organisations that have produced the most innovative products and services in the intelligent transportation systems industry during the 2013 Best of ITS Awards at the 23rd Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville Tennessee. ITS America Members, including private sector companies, research institutions and public agencies can submit entries for the highly competitive program until 25 January 2013. ITS America will award wi
  • HyperloopTT appoints engineering firm to build commercial system in Abu Dhabi
    October 29, 2018
    Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has appointed engineering firm Dar Al-Handasah to begin construction of a Hyperloop system in Abu Dhabi in the third quarter of 2019. The project also includes a Hyperloop commercial track and an centre for logistics which it calls XO Square. In April, HyperloopTT unveiled an XO square centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The facility houses the company’s logistic research division, a fabrication lab and what the company refers to as ‘an ecosystem’ of global companies, s
  • New EU wide rules on drone safety and privacy
    December 1, 2017
    Drone operators and drones will need to comply with EU basic requirements on safety, security and personal data protection, following new regulations agreed by European Parliament and Council negotiators. The rules for the civil use of drones aim to bring a uniform level of safety and help boost the sector by providing greater clarity to manufacturers and operators. EU countries will need to ensure that operators of drones that can cause significant harm such as crashing into people, or present risks to