End zero-emission vehicle mandate
Petitioners ask Canada to permanently drop the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate. The government responds that the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard aims to cut emissions, supports a transition, removed the 2026 target and is under review.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would prevent limits on gas and hybrid vehicle sales that petitioners say would raise prices for new and used cars.
- It addresses petitioners’ concerns that the national electricity grid lacks capacity for large‑scale EV charging until upgrades occur.
- It rejects the 2035 sales mandate petitioners call unrealistic, preserving consumer choice and a slower transition.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Removing the mandate would slow emissions reductions the government attributes to the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard and could hinder progress toward net‑zero by 2050.
- The government has already removed the 2026 target and launched a review; further repeal may be premature while adjustments are considered.
- Officials say most charging can occur off‑peak at homes and projected EV electricity demand increases are modest, so grid impacts are manageable with planning.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Whereas: The Liberal Government's policy to ban the sale of all new, internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 is completely unrealistic; Whereas: Restricting the number of gas-powered and hybrid cars that can be sold in the years leading up to 2035 will only serve to drive up the price of new and used cars available to Canadians; Whereas: The country's electricity grid lacks the capacity to support the charging of electric vehicles in significant numbers. Therefore: we, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to permanently drop its Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate.
Government response
Response by the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Signed by The Honourable Julie Dabrusin The purpose of the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger automobiles and light trucks and increase choice for Canadian consumers. It is part of a suite of federal measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and support zero-emission vehicle adoption. The standard currently sets increasing sales targets for new light-duty vehicles and culminates in 2035. The gradual transition to zero-emission vehicles is key to helping Canada achieve net-zero in 2050. The majority of charging is expected to be done during off-peak hours for the majority of consumers who invest in at-home charging equipment. This is likely to be encouraged by utilities continuing to price electricity lower for off-peak periods in order to smooth out demands on the grid. By 2050, zero-emission vehicles electricity demand is projected to increase from 5.2% of overall electricity demand in Canada to 9.5% of overall electricity demand. This represents an increase in overall demand of 4.3% by 2050. This is a small increase relative to overall expected growth in electricity demand in Canada which, by some estimates, is expected to double by 2050. While the transition to zero-emission vehicles is important for Canadian auto sector competitiveness and emissions reductions, there is significant short-term economic uncertainty in the sector. In response, on September 5, 2025, the Government of Canada announced the removal of the 2026 target and announced a review of the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard to ensure it reduces emissions, remains effective, and does not place undue burden on automakers. As part of this review, a 60-day consultation was also held. The Government will announce next steps in due course.