British Columbia partially pumping the brakes on its lofty goals for the adoption of electric vehicles (EV).
The Province announced today that the 2035 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales target of 100% has been reduced to 75%.
That means the removal of the prohibition on sales of new internal-combustion-engine vehicles that was meant to begin on Jan. 1, 2035.
Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix calls BC “a leader in EV adoption” in North America.
He says the Province is giving people “greater choice” while reducing air pollution and emissions in communities.
"We are recalibrating our ZEV targets to be consistent with the federal government's new ZEV policy and to give industry and consumers greater flexibility,” he explained.
“We will continue to support British Columbians by expanding our charging networks that will use clean, made-in-BC energy to power vehicles."
Amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act will be needed for this change and those will be made by the fall, the Province says.
“The updated regulation is expected to retain the 26% ZEV sales compliance requirement for 2026 and 2027,” a statement from the Province noted. “Compliance requirements for 2028-30 will be informed by federal plans on its fleet emission standards expected in summer 2026.”
According to the Province, 18.3% of all light-duty vehicle sales in BC were ZEVs in 2025, and 70% of people in the Lower Mainland would consider an EV as their next vehicle.
