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Following a tightly contested election, the re-elected British Columbia NDP government and new cabinet now has a pivotal opportunity: to harness the momentum of voter support and strengthen the province’s commitment to clean energy. Although this election highlighted certain divisions, there’s strong, widespread agreement on one crucial priority — addressing climate change and building a sustainable future. But what will it take for B.C. to turn this consensus into meaningful, lasting action?
To live up to this commitment, B.C. will need sustained and ambitious policies that not only curb carbon emissions and build a robust, green-energy infrastructure. The NDP has made commendable strides here, but their continued support is essential if B.C. hopes to lead Canada’s clean energy transformation. Now is the time for B.C. to solidify its role as a trailblazer in the fight against climate change.
One standout policy, the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, has already positioned B.C. as a leader in the transition to cleaner transportation. With a target of 100 per cent ZEV sales by 2035, B.C.’s forward-thinking policy has fuelled a wave of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, outpacing any other province. But what makes this policy stand out? It not only sets a goal; it also supports the market transition by reducing costs, providing purchase incentives, and increasing ZEV availability across the province, paving the way for widespread adoption.
But goals alone aren’t enough. Expanding EV infrastructure is critical for making ZEVs a practical choice for all British Columbians. The NDP’s promise to double public charging stations, aiming for 10,000 by 2030, demonstrates a commitment to making EVs viable for both long-distance trips and daily commutes.
With the Electric Highway project — 155 charging sites and 310 fast chargers along major routes — BC has made significant strides in ensuring EV drivers have the range and access they need. But to meet the demands of a growing EV fleet, B.C. will need sustained investment in grid capacity and renewable energy sources to keep climate targets within reach.
Affordability, however, remains a stumbling block. The average EV price in Canada soared to $73,000 in 2023, placing ownership out of reach for many. A report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that EV costs must fall by nearly a third to meet Canada’s federal sales targets. Incentives like B.C.’s CleanBC’s Go Electric rebate are an important start, but what more can be done to bring these vehicles within reach of everyday British Columbians?
What if you could transform your current car, rather than replace it? One exciting alternative for drivers is converting existing gas vehicles into EVs. B.C. innovators like Richmond-based BlueForce Energy Solutions are developing tailored EV conversion kits, allowing gas vehicles to be transformed into EVs at a fraction of the cost of a new model. This approach could help more British Columbians access clean transportation affordably, while breathing new life into their existing vehicles.
As EV ownership grows, so does the need for adaptable charging infrastructure. Electrify Canada, FLO EV and BlueForce Energy are among the few rising to meet this demand, producing versatile charging options that cater to everyone from residential owners to fleet operators.
But it’s not just private companies pushing boundaries. Advancing B.C.’s EV charging network further is the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). With $1.7 million in federal support, BCIT’s research into wireless charging and other future technologies will help create a resilient charging network for a new era of transportation.
While innovation is surging in Canada’s energy sector, this transformation can’t happen in a vacuum. Government support remains critical to keep us on course. Collaboration between policymakers and energy leaders will accelerate EV infrastructure growth, minimize cost barriers, and enhance incentives, bringing a cleaner, healthier B.C. within reach.
Together, we can shape a province that puts climate action at its heart and drives toward a sustainable tomorrow — one that our communities, environment and future generations deserve. Now is the time to drive forward, making choices today that build a zero-emission future for all.
Jayde Zhou is the executive director and vice president of BlueForce Energy.
Comments
As an EV owner who has done a bit of long distance travelling, I'd just like to commend Flo....it's always working, and perhaps if there are problems, it actually has employees who come and fix that problem ASAP. As important as increasing the fleet of EV's is.......please Canada, make the chargers here at home. Some of the US made alternatives, notably at Petro Canada stations can be down and you don't know it until you get to the station....call the number and you get some poor kid in a cubicle in LA.
Put tariffs on American made stand alones (literally, no one in the gas station knows anything about them) and opt for free trade when it comes to the vehicles. Nothing like a little good 'free market' when it comes to making the EV fleet affordable. I hear China has a good model for sale....someone needs to stand up for globalism where it matters.
I would love to see more EV conversion solutions and lower priced EVs on the market.
Trudeau placed a 100% tariff on Chinese products immediately after the US slapped theirs on. Some called it working in lockstep to protect Fortress North America. I call it a kneejerk reaction.
Europe has tariffs on Chinese EVs too, but they were wise enough to take the time to do the calculation to ensure they were fair and would protect their own manufacturing sector, but not enough to outright cancel fair competition.
Tech innovation, R&D using BC's excellent universities and private companies specializing in renewable energy and binary code, manufacturing and a network of patents are BC's ticket to getting out of its deep subservience to fossil fuels.
Many environmentalists are now laser focussed on the mining activity that supports EVs and batteries, and are unfortunately unable to see that combustion is far more dangerous. You can recycle nearly 100% of the components and materials in EVs and batteries. You cannot recycle tailpipe emissions. Mine reclamation is a big thing, as is not mining in areas with sensitive biomes. Mine regulations and punishing fines should be front and centre today, but are not. They could be given that the BC Green Party now holds a lot of sway.
Still, EVs and batteries and the existing hydro grid in BC have the power to cut its dependence on fracked gas and the byproducts of toxic bitumen sludge imported from Alberta by 100%, if that was an actual goal.
BC could be the first province to fully electrify its economy and to stop burning stuff if it really tried.
I do not know about the public chargers in BC, but I find the system pitiful in Québec and Ontario when you travel a new route, because there are all kinds of charging networks and they all require to download their own charger software. A few chargers accept payment by credit card and it should be an absolute requirement that you can pay with your card at any station, just as you pay for gasoline.
Also, I find it very wasteful that NRCan continues to offer incentives for level 2 chargers. What is needed is level 3 chargers (50kW minimum) for all roads. Last year, a condo next door got a $100,000 incentive to install 57 level 2 chargers and they still only have 8 EV's in the garage. A huge waste of Federal money.
Absolutely! I can fill up my petrol car with a credit card at any gas station and don't need any "app". It should 100% work the same way when charging an EV! Imagine having to have a membership for every brand of gas station to buy gas. Ridiculous.
The average price of EVs in BC is silly. The fact is that there are quite a few affordable models of EV out there, and I'm not even talking about the ridiculously cheap Chinese ones. They're just not being sold here. So you have these car manufacturers selling cheap EV model A, B, C in Europe, in some cases even in the US, but not in Canada. If we want cheap EVs in British Columbia we're going to have to lean on those manufacturers to bring them in and make them genuinely available.
At the federal level, I think that 100% tariff on Chinese cars is stupid. But now that it's there, it represents leverage of a sort. So for instance, Trudeau could say to Trump "I don't agree with your tariff on all our goods. But if we're not going to be able to trade with the United States, we will need to find other more reliable trading partners. I think it's time to rethink tariffs on Chinese goods." And separately, it would be worth saying to the car manufacturers "I put tariffs on Chinese automobiles to protect Canadian industry. Specifically, to protect YOU. But the objective is to get affordable EVs to Canadians. If you are going to take advantage of that lack of competition to sell only expensive EV models in Canada, I'm sure the Chinese would be happy to eat your lunches and provide what we need if I revisited that tariff."
But there are other forms of leverage. BC could still say "Make with the inexpensive models or we'll slap a tax on luxury cars" for instance.