The Act: Zero-Emission Vehicles Act. SBC. 2019 Ch 29.

The Act: Zero-Emission Vehicles Act. SBC. 2019 Ch 29. (ZEV Act)

When was the Act created:

The Province of British Columbia passed the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEV Act) on May 30, 2019.

What does the Act do:

The ZEV act requires automakers to produce light-duty zero emissions vehicles with certain sales targets as follows: 10% by 2023, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. This staggered approach will help B.C. reach its greenhouse gas reduction targets goals. With this legislation, B.C. has joined other jurisdictions, including Quebec, California and nine other U.S. States to be the first jurisdictions in the world to legislate 100% ZEV targets. (B.C. Public Service, 2023)

How it works:

The ZEV regulations are set in phases with annual targets and other compliance requirements. The regulations were created by conducting public engagement and consultation with stakeholders, including; auto industry, local governments, environmental non-governmental organizations.

How it is reported:

There is a ZEV Act reporting tool which was developed by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation- which regulates parties to input their compliance with the ZEV Act and Regulation.

The goal of the Act:

By 2040, there will be no sale of light duty motor vehicles that are not a ZEV in B.C. See the Prohibition below.

Prohibition in 2040 and subsequent years

Article 9: “On or after January 1, 2040, a person must not make a consumer sale of a light-duty motor vehicle that is not a zero-emission vehicle.”

The incentives of the enactments allow:

The offsetting credits and debits Issuance of credits for consumer sales Issuance of credits for initiative agreements Issuance of credits for purchase agreements Transfer of credits for suppliers, between suppliers

The impacts we can expect:

The impact will be that by 2040 there will be no more supply of light duty motorized vehicles to B.C. As manufacturers reduce their production by 100% in 2040, we expect that only EV vehicles will be for sale in the light duty category.

How will this affect me?

Having lived and worked in B.C, and with plans to return, this will affect me in the following ways;

Increase in charging stations across the province Increase in availability of ZEV in B.C. Perhaps tax incentives/subsidies for purchase from the consumer and increase municipal and provincial incentives Healthier air quality Greater demand and use on the B.C. electrical grid and renewable energy Higher cost of per unit energy and higher peak loads Increase changing behavior and preference toward ZEV by all in B.C. More mechanics will know how to repair ZEV and recycling of batteries will be available.

Will this enactment allow B.C. to successfully achieve its goals.?

For the following reasons, I believe this enactment will help B.C. to achieve its intended targets and goals;

Based on the staggered and phased approach, I believe this enactment will achieve its goals, it will allow car manufactures to reach these targets. With the compliance, reporting requirements and audits, I believe this will keep manufacturers on track and ensure that penalties will be in place if targets are not met. With the issuance of credits to the manufactures and suppliers I think this will incentivize the industry to reach the goals of the enactment. With the public consultation which has been conducted, I believe this will aid the long term goals and purpose of the ZEV Act as everyone has come together to create this new set of laws and contributed to the purpose and overall goal.

References B.C. Public Service. (2023). Zero-Emission Vehicles Act - Province of British Columbia. Gov.bc.ca. Retrieved November 21, 2023, from https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/clean-transportation-policies-programs/zero-emission-vehicles-act