How British Columbia should structure its possibly-upcoming ZEV policy.

Electron Communications responded to the British Columbia (BC) provincial government's call for feedback on its Clean Growth Intentions Papers. The response is limited to the discussion on policy options for reducing GHG emissions from passenger vehicles (such as a ZEV mandate). Submissions are listed on this webpage; I also assisted with the BC Sustainable Energy Association and Plug In BC submissions.

Electron Communications' proposal suggested that the provincial government's policy be designed to reflect climate science and demographics, and strive to be cost-effective and intentional. Specific policy suggestions included:

- instead of EV rebates ramping down after 5% market share is reached, ramping down no sooner than 1 year after the introduction of the first plug-in hybrid pickup trucks. Many BC residents rely on pickups, and it would frustrate them if rebates ramped down before their type of vehicle was offered in an EV configuration; 

- that PHEVs should qualify for the same financial rebates as BEVs, as both vehicle types are likely to electrify about as many km per year;

- that any future ZEV mandate treating PHEVs and BEVs equally, in part on account of the above;

- that a possible near-term exemption for manufacturers who significantly improve fleet fuel economy (e.g. through Mazda's SkyActiv engines or Nissan's e-Power platform) because the atmosphere ultimately cares about CO2 emissions, not ZEV market share;

- *not* exempting ZEVs from provincial sales tax, as this would increase the benefit to purchasers of luxury vehicles (which is probably not the province's intent);

- creating a means for which EV owners pay their fair share of road maintenance tax, to defuse tension and reduce the risk of a future Ontario-style blowback. 

Concluding paragraph:

"It is not enough for one side (here, ZEV advocates) to 'win' if their more-numerous neighbours feel like they have 'lost', and the policy proposals above represent an attempt to maintain momentum for the ZEV transition while bringing as many British Columbians into the 'win' column as possible. To draw from the African proverb, 'if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together'."

This is the link to the full Electron Communications response.

Every statistic deserves a strong story. Electron Communications makes its clients' communications compelling, whether through marketing collateral, presentations, proposals, reports, or other formats. Bandwidth permitting, we assist with advocacy efforts as well (contact info here).