Statement from Keith Brooks, Programs Director, Environmental Defence

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – We applaud the Biden-Harris administration’s move to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles with ambitious action on tightening vehicle emissions standards. These emissions standards will have a massive impact in the U.S., and will also help smooth Canada’s transition to 100 per cent electric cars by sending a strong signal to the North American automotive market.

This move from the U.S., which is expected to be adopted in Canada “by reference”, complements Canada’s even more ambitious zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) sales targets, which provides a pathway to 100 per cent zero emission vehicle sales by 2035. This is the better regulatory tool in the Canadian context, and ensures that Canada can meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets regardless of who is elected to the White House.

The Canadian government must now ensure that both regulations (the ZEV sales targets and vehicle emissions standards) work in harmony, such as was recently proposed in the UK, to avoid negative interactions such as double crediting.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Allen Braude, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca