Government of Canada working to raise awareness of zero-emission vehicles

Press release

To achieve our climate goals and maintain good air quality in Canada, it is essential to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. That’s why our government is making sure Canadians can confidently buy and drive zero-emission electric vehicles across the country.

 

 

February 11, 2022 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada

As part of a virtual event held withEco-West Canada and the Alberta Motor Transport Association, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin, today announced on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, the funding accumulated $4,646,577 to 22 organizations across Canada in support of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) awareness projects. These projects will educate Canadians about the green options available to them when choosing their next vehicle.

Here is the list of projects:

  • $300,000 toEcp-West Canada Winnipeg, Manitoba for delivering a series of webinars and workshops aimed at increasing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Prairies;
  • $300 000 at Alberta Motor Transport Association Rocky View (Alberta) for the first public demonstration project of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles in Canada;
  • $300 000 at City of Toronto Rocky View (Alberta) for the first public demonstration project of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles in Canada;
  • $50,000 toBow Valley Biosphere Institute Institute de Bow Valley Canmore, Alberta to develop and deliver a webinar series on various ZEV topics;
  • $71,560 to Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. Blacks Harbor (New Brunswick) to raise awareness of EVs and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the region and businesses;
  • $100,000 at the Community Energy Association Vancouver, British Columbia to fill a gap in current ZEV awareness initiatives in Indigenous communities by drawing on their values and priorities to guide ZEV awareness activities;
  • $101,775 per University McMaster of Hamilton, Ontario to develop educational tools and promote best practices to support the adoption of ZEV fleets for transit;
  • 128 448 $ à Upcycle Green Technology – Auto Shop Inc. to promote ZEV adoption in Atlantic Canada through digital media and engagement sessions;
  • $147,810 to Three Nations Energy GP Inc. in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta to promote the benefits of riding an EV and encourage the purchase of electric trucks and vans from residents of Fort Chipewyan;
  • $150,000 to Volta Research Toronto, Ontario to educate current and potential EV owners about the opportunities and benefits of V2G technology and help promote the adoption of ZEVs;
  • $157,412 to EcoSchools Canada from Toronto, Ontario to raise awareness of ZEVs and low-carbon carpooling among young drivers across the country by creating new tools and resources;
  • $187,500 to Wyse Meter Solutions Inc. Concord, Ontario to demonstrate the use of EV technology and available infrastructure deployment options for owners and residents;
  • $224,000 at Capital Regional District of Victoria, British Columbia to raise awareness of the benefits of owning an EV or e-bike in the capital region of southern Vancouver Island through the establishment of a mobile demonstration unit for ZEVs ;
  • $224,000 at Capital Regional District of Victoria, British Columbia to raise awareness of the benefits of owning an EV or e-bike in the capital region of southern Vancouver Island through the establishment of a mobile demonstration unit for ZEVs ;
  • $225,970 at the Green Learning Canada Foundation of Drayton Valley (Alberta) to enable 65 young Albertans to develop an educational pilot program promoting the electrification of transportation;
  • $225,970 at the Green Learning Canada Foundation of Drayton Valley (Alberta) to enable 65 young Albertans to develop an educational pilot program promoting the electrification of transportation;
  • $250,000 at the Ville d’Edmonton (Alberta) to promote the benefits of ZEVs and charging infrastructure through various workshops and exhibits;
  • $291,030 at Conseil des Mohawks d’Akwesasne (Quebec) to initiate the first stage of a multi-phase project to install and promote EV charging stations;
  • $297,270 to Hydro-Québec to promote the benefits of riding an electric vehicle through various events, activities and workshops;
  • $299,902 perOrganization for Environmental Careers in Canada Calgary, Alberta to engage rural, remote and Indigenous communities across the country to educate them and provide them with resources that will increase levels of awareness, knowledge and confidence in ZEVs;
  • 300 000 $ à H2GO Canada Inc. of Toronto, Ontario to identify knowledge barriers to the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles among target audiences in the commercial truck, transit bus, and taxi/limousine segments;
  • 300 000 $ à la Quebec Road Safety Education Foundation of Laval (Quebec) to organize a major event to raise awareness and educate the public about EVs and increase their confidence in zero-emission vehicles.

Federal funds for all of these projects come from theZero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative Natural Resources Canada, which supports efforts to increase public awareness and confidence and to better inform them about ZEVs, public charging stations and refueling infrastructure.

Since 2015, Canada has made a historic $1 billion investment to make EVs more affordable and charging stations more accessible across the country. These funds make it possible to establish a pan-Canadian fast-charging network and install local charging stations near where Canadians live, work and play, in addition to helping them buy EVs by offering them rebates of up to $5,000.

These investments are another step towards achieving Canada’s target: to ensure that by 2035 all passenger vehicles sold in Canada are zero-emission vehicles. And, like any other investment in areas like clean technology or nature conservation, today’s announcement will help Canada achieve its ambitious climate change goals, carriers of a greener, healthier and more affordable future for all Canadians.

Quotes

“Through investments like the ones we announced today, we are raising awareness and educating Canadians so they can confidently choose to ride in a zero-emission vehicle. Ensuring access to zero-emission vehicles across the country is an integral part of our plan to reduce emissions and meet our international climate goals. By making these and other such investments, we are setting Canadians firmly on the path to a carbon-neutral future. »

The Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources

« For nearly 15 years, Eco-West Canada has embodied the commitment and contribution of Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership to the green economy in Western Canada. Through this investment, the federal government is capitalizing on the expertise and credibility of Eco-West Canada with municipalities and communities across the Prairies to propel their adoption of zero-emission vehicles. The spirit of this initiative fits perfectly with the investment of $222.4 million in sustainable development infrastructure provided for in our Municipal Economic Recovery Strategy. »

Ivan Normandeau
Chairman of the Board of Eco-West Canada and the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM)

«The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) thanks Natural Resources Canada for its generous support of the AMTA Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative. As part of this original project, AMTA will work closely with its valued allies to introduce the Canadian commercial transportation industry to technological innovations that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our industry will have the opportunity to explore these technologies to improve the efficiency of its operations as we work together to achieve our country’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.”

Chris Nash
President, Alberta Motor Transport Association

Transitioning to electric motors is a pillar of Toronto’s TransformTO climate action strategy and will go a long way towards achieving our goal of being a carbon neutral city by 2040. I would like to thank the federal government for supporting us in this endeavor electric vehicle awareness campaign and help us set the stage for faster adoption of these vehicles in our city. Addressing the impacts of climate change and protecting our environment takes a concerted effort, and we need the help of all governments to move forward. »

John Tory
Mayor of Toronto

Quick Facts

 

  • Transportation is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
  • Thanks to the funds invested to date in charging infrastructure in Canada, more than 25,200 new terminals will be accessible to the public in places of life, work and leisure
  • To date, more than 125,000 individuals and businesses in Canada have taken advantage of the federal government’s rebate on the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle