Canada's Ban On Gas-Powered Cars Is Coming Up — Here's What You Need To Know

Canada is moving toward a more sustainable future and that means fewer gas-powered cars on the roads. The federal government recently imposed new laws that completely ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in Canada and the deadline is coming up.

The target for Canada is set for the near future when most new vehicles sold across the country will be required to be 100% electric. According to the Government of Canada, measures will be deployed progressively until it is no longer possible for Canadians to purchase a new gasoline-powered car.

So, how will this all work? Well, to build a cleaner, more prosperous economy that fights climate change in Canada, the federal government has set a mandatory target for all new light-duty cars and passenger truck sales to be zero-emissions by 2035, further pushing Canada's previous goal of 100% sales by 2040.

What You Need To Know: In December 2023, Ottawa announced that at least 20% of vehicles sold by 2026 must be "zero-emission." This target is then set to rise to 60% of all new vehicles sold by 2030, and then 100% of all new cars by 2035. This means that in roughly 10 years, there will be a total ban on the sale of gas-powered cars across Canada if all deadlines are met.

The new policy, which affects battery-electric and hydrogen-powered models too, will apply to the following categories:

• Light vehicles (sedans, compacts, midsize, etc.);
• Sport utility vehicles (SUVs);
• Light trucks (vans, pick-ups, minibuses, etc.) weighing five tonnes or less.

However, it's important to note that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced certain exceptions concerning emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines, which will not be subject to this new measure.

Important Information: With the purchase of electric cars increasing year on year, the government noted that one in eight new cars sold in Canada will be zero-emission in the last quarter of 2023.

The regulations will require that at least 20 percent of new vehicles sold in Canada will be zero emission by 2026, at least 60 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2035. These targets will help increase supply so that more Canadians who want a ZEV can buy one.

Per the federal government, the percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) to be sold by the end of each of the following years is as follows:

• 2026 — 20%
• 2027 — 23%
• 2028 — 34%
• 2029 — 43%
• 2030 — 60%
• 2031 — 74%
• 2032 — 83%
• 2033 — 94%
• 2034 — 97%
• 2035 — 100%

In addition to making sure there are more ZEVs to buy, the Trudeau government also announced the following investments to make buying and charging an electric vehicle (EV) easier for Canadians:

• Expanded EV Charging Infrastructure: Investing in more EV charging stations nationwide by 2027, totalling nearly 85,000 federally-funded chargers.
• ZEV Incentive Program: Continuing the program offering incentives towards ZEV purchases or leases.
• EV Manufacturing Investments: Making historic investments in Canadian EV manufacturing for locally made ZEVs, supporting Canadian auto workers and consumers.

What's Next: As Canadians make the switch from gas-powered cars to zero-emission vehicles, the Canadian government has outlined the benefits of driving ZEVs.

"It can cost five to ten times less to charge a battery-electric vehicle compared to fuelling up an equivalent-sized gas vehicle to travel the same distance," Transport Canada indicated.

Depending on the model you choose, a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) can cover distances ranging from 300 km to 600 km on a full battery charge. Considering that most Canadians drive considerably less than 300 km per week, a ZEV provides ample range for everyday use and even for longer trips.

Transitioning to a ZEV stands as one of the most impactful steps toward decreasing your carbon footprint. Beyond emissions reduction, ZEVs significantly diminish noise and detrimental air pollutants, resulting in superior air quality when compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.

Keep Reading: There have been other changes to driving laws and measures throughout Canada, including the cost of renewing your license. Fees have increased, but not significantly. Read about license renewal and registration fees here.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.