FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Data Debunks “Impossible” EV Targets: B.C.

Reversing course could cause families to miss out on $34,000 in fuel savings.

VICTORIA, B.C. (March 23, 2026) – The Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council (CCIC) is calling on the Government of British Columbia to stay the course on its Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEVA). In correspondence with government, CCIC has highlighted new data suggesting that ambitious targets are not only achievable for industry, but essential for lowering the cost of living and exposure to fuel price volatility for British Columbia families. 

The CCIC is advocating for the province to maintain ambitious sales targets of 65% ZEV sales by 2030 and 90% by 2035.

The “Unmeetable” Myth vs. Reality

While some critics claim ZEV compliance is impossible, real-world experience tells a different story. In Quebec, which uses a similar framework, reports show a massive surplus of nearly 735,000 credits available for future use from the 2018-2024 model year periods.

“The data do not support claims that BC or Quebec have set the bar too high or that they are creating unmeetable compliance obligations,” says Travis Allan, President and CEO of the CCIC.

 

CCIC included reference to comments by Daniel Breton, President and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada (EMC), who found that this credit availability represents a “massive excess of the required amounts”.

Saving B.C. Families from “Pump Pain”

With fuel prices remaining volatile, the CCIC emphasizes that EVs are the ultimate tool for household affordability.

“For transportation affordability and predictability of fuel costs, attracting more new and used EVs to B.C. is a critical policy to support B.C. families that drive,” says Allan.

 

CCIC included reference to a report and comments by Joanna Kyriazis, Director of Policy at Clean Energy Canada (CEC), which found that “a typical EV driver in B.C. saves around $2,600 to $3,400 per year compared to a driver of an equivalent gas vehicle, or up to $34,000 over a decade”. Kyriazis further noted that while a Toyota RAV4 can cost over $100 to fill in Metro Vancouver, a similar Chevrolet Equinox costs just $11 to fully charge.

Flexibility for Industry

The CCIC points out that ZEVA already provides automakers with multiple flexible pathways to earn credits, ensuring the transition is manageable for industry while benefiting consumers.

“BC has responded to industry concerns with important flexibility measures, which means that any target is actually the high watermark. Most automakers will be using flexibility measures so that their actual target is significantly lower, meaning it is premature to assume they can’t meet a reasonable target without further data” says Allan.

 These flexibility measures include

● Expanded eligibility for ZEV credits from Plug-in Hybrids;

● Relaxed range requirements for plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles;

● New Initiative Agreement pathways to enable automakers to earn credits for reducing the cost to purchase a ZEV, through measures such as offering MSRP discounts or 0% or

low-interest financing. Additionally, automakers can earn credits through investments in

charging infrastructure;

● Home charging station credits; and

● Public charging station investment credits.

Clear targets unlock investment

BC has a lot to lose, including jobs and business:

• ZEVA is a major reason why BC added more public charging ports in 2025 than any other province (according to the recently released Paren State of the Industry report). 
• EV adoption is also encouraging landlords to add tens of thousands of new residential charging ports to allow BC renters to access the cost savings of driving an EV.
• BC’s EV charging boom has driven thousands of jobs in British Columbia, including construction workers, electricians, engineers, and planners.
• BC is home to an entire ecosystem of companies focused on making the province EV-ready

CCIC released analysis earlier in March explaining how charging investments are directly related to ambition on EV sales targets. “Everything turns on the level of ambition,” said Allan.

CCIC’s analysis found that:

• A 35% target could lead to no or very limited justification for new public fast charging ports in BC.
• A 65% target, by contrast, will support substantial new investment.
• New investment in charging, and the resultant electrical, civil and related investments (which can easily total 50% of the capital cost of new stations) lead to good jobs in BC.

About the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council (CCIC)

The CCIC represents the EV charging infrastructure industry, working to accelerate the deployment of charging solutions and support the transition to a zero-emission future.

Media Contact: Travis Allan President and CEO