The Liberal Party of Canada, headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has inched closer to banning all sales of gas-powered cars by 2035 by proposing regulations requiring automotive dealers to ensure selling more electric vehicles (EVs) each year.
Under the proposal, 20 percent of new vehicles to be sold across the nation would have to be EVs by 2026, with that number increasing incrementally to 100 percent by 2035. Manufacturers or importers who don't meet the sales targets could face penalties under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act through a phased-in approach.
The move was spearheaded by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, who claimed that EVs would actually "make life more affordable for families across the country." This is despite a common observation that EVs cost more than their traditional gas-powered counterparts.
"Electric vehicles not only help keep our air clean, but they can also help families save money on monthly bills, too," the Government of Canada wrote in a press release, citing the growing desire by Canadians to lower their environmental footprint.
Meanwhile, Cara Clairman, president and CEO of Plug'n Drive, a non-profit organization that encourages EV use, said the toughest part of promoting the change from gas-powered vehicles is availability.
"Long waiting lists are definitely discouraging consumers that are ready to make the switch," she said. "And if we all agree that we're in a climate emergency, we need to help consumers make the switch as soon as possible."
Brian Kingston, president and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, said the federal government should first build out the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles before regulating sales. "The vehicles are coming, but we need a supercharged effort to help marketing, and actually make that purchase and make it easy, convenient, and accessible," he said.
According to reports, investments have been made to install 50,000 more EV charging stations in communities from coast to coast to coast to keep up with the forecasted increase in EV sales.
Scammed: Canadians shocked to realize EVs are more expensive to maintain
Canadians are finding out that maintaining EVs are actually more expensive. Some EV owners were shocked to learn that battery replacements for their cars, especially older models, come with an unreasonably hefty price tag of $20,000. (Related: Maintaining an electric vehicle has become far TOO EXPENSIVE for Canadians.)
Phyllis Lau, who owns a 2018 KIA Soul all-electric vehicle, was told that a battery replacement would cost $23,000 after labor and taxes. KIA reportedly agreed to foot half the bill, even though the EV was outside the warranty period.
"I don't understand why they make the battery so expensive when you have to change it," Lau told CTV News Toronto.
When Lau purchased the electric SUV, it came with a warranty for the battery that covers 160,000 kilometers (99,419 miles) or eight years, whichever comes first. Unfortunately, the family vehicle clocked in more than 170,000 kilometers (105,633 miles) when its battery gave up.
A YouTuber with 1.4 million followers conducted an experiment with his brand new 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup. In a video on his Hoovie's Garage channel, Tyler Hoover tested the towing capability of his EV and called the result a "complete and total disaster."
Hoover charged up his Lightning to 200 miles (almost all of its 230-mile range) and set out for a trip to his mechanic 32 miles away to pick up a 1930 Ford Model A and tow it home. As soon as Hoover set out pulling an empty trailer, the Lightning's range started "dropping like a stone." In the end, the 64-mile journey sucked up 150 miles of range from the Lightning's battery.
Visit RoboCars.news for more news related to electric vehicles.
Watch the video below that talks about California's ban on gas-powered cars by 2035.
This video is from the ZGolden Report channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
States are emulating California's "clean air" mandate by BANNING gas-powered vehicles.
Study: Overnight charging of EVs destabilizes America's power grid.
Consumer Reports poll: Gas-powered cars more reliable than EVs.
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