Canada banning new fossil fuel car and light truck sales from 2035

Canada will ban the sale of petrol and diesel new cars and light-duty trucks from 2035.

That will bring it nearly in line with the Climate Change Commission advice for a ban on such new sales in New Zealand around 2032, the United Kingdom’s 2030 ban and California’s move to EVs starting 2035.

Australia and the US have yet to set national targets, although some regions in both countries are proposing similar bans or electric-only sales around 2030-2035.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government made the internal combustion engine (ICE) ban announcement recently as part of its target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Reuters reports

Only zero-emissions cars and trucks can be sold from 2035, it says, adding that a mix of investments and regulations will help industry transition, while the government also says it will set interim targets for 2025 and 2030.

“We are committed to aligning Canada’s zero-emission vehicles sales targets with those of the most ambitious North American jurisdictions,” environment minister Jonathan Wilkinson says.

Canada will invest in consumer rebates, EV charging stations, tax breaks and industry transition costs, he adds.

Wilkinson explains that Canada will work with the US to harmonise fuel efficiency regulations.

About 3.5% of vehicles sold in Canada are electric.