CRAZ, Author at Calgary Region Airshed Zone

Researching Canadian Federal Policies & Alberta Provincial Policies on Electric Vehicles

Canada Federal Policies

The government of Canada has made a commitment to sustainability and a cleaner future. They have exhibited this commitment through their initiatives to transition to more sustainable forms of transportation such as electric vehicles. A significant initiative the Government of Canada has set is the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. This federal plan incorporates a $660 million zero emission vehicle (iZEV) program and a $450 million infrastructure program. The iZEV program includes an incentive program that was updated in 2022, this policy states that larger battery vehicles will receive an incentive of $5000, while those with smaller batteries will review $2500 (Eligible Vehicles, 2023). The incentive program has made purchasing electric vehicles more economically feasible and accessible to consumers, moreover the program contributes to the mandatory 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2035 (Transport Canada, 2024). Another federal policy that invests and promotes the use of electric vehicles is Clean Fuels Regulations, which was set in 2023. The regulations differ in standards and progress within each Canadian province. With the increase of electric vehicles there is an increased demand for charging stations across Canada. A portion of the infrastructure program funding will go towards building and maintaining electric vehicle charging stations across Canada, in addition a $500 million investment from the Canada Infrastructure Bank will go towards establishing more charging stations.

Alberta Provincial Policies
Alberta’s main economic drivers are huge emission contributors such as oil and gas, however Alberta has implemented a few initiatives towards sustainability.
Alberta has the least amount of policies regarding electric vehicles compared to other Canadian provinces but one way Alberta has implemented the use of cleaner fuels is the expansion of charging stations within Alberta. The Alberta Electric Vehicle Charging Network program supports the increase of electric vehicles as it expands infrastructure across the province (Government of Alberta, 2021). Moreover, the network program supports the adoption of electric vehicles as it makes it more accessible and obtainable for Albertans. This program is a part of a bigger plan, the Clean Energy Improvement Plan (CEIP) which includes financial support for electric vehicles ultimately making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible. The CEIP heavily encourages innovations in cleaner fuels as they invest and research developments for a more sustainable future. Other Canadian provinces have a more progressive adoption of electric vehicles such as British Columbia and Quebec. British Columbia has implemented the Zero Emission Vehicles Act which aims for entirely zero emission cars sales by 2040 (British Columbia Gov, 2024), and the CleanBC Go Electric plan which provides rebates for buying electric vehicles (Government of British Columbia, 2021). Quebec has implemented the Drive Electric Program which is an incentive program for up to $8000 for purchasing an electric vehicle (Government of Quebec,2021).

Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles Regarding Air Quality

Electric Vehicle Pros:
1. Source of electricity: Recharging stations will use electricity where 68% of Canada’s electricity comes from renewable energy, and 82% from non-greenhouse gas emitting sources (Government of Canada,2024). The use of renewable energy will reduce smog pollution production and greenhouse gas emissions, significantly improving urban air quality.
2. Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide: Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, therefore there will be no harmful nitrogen oxides produced. Reduction of nitrogen oxides has an overall environmental positive impact such that there are air visibility improvements in urban areas, plant protection from nitrogen nutrient imbalances, and decreased formation of Ozone (EPA,2024).
3. Reduction of Particulate Matter: Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, therefore there will be no particle matter and Sulfide production. Particle matter is very dangerous as the air pollutant can cause respiratory issues and has a high mortality risk.

4. Reduction of urban heat island: Electric vehicles can reduce urban heat island as it produces and releases less heat than vehicles powered by gas. Yale Environment says electric vehicles produce 20% less heat than gas vehicles. High temperatures form urban heat islands can create smog and ground level ozone as a result of increased chemical reaction of exhaust pollutants (Climate Atlas).

Electric Vehicle Cons:
1. Unsustainable resources: Mining and extraction for battery material such as Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese can be unsustainable as they are non
renewable resources. The mining process can be harmful to the environment as it often destroys land that is potentially covered by vegetation (Earth.Org). Deforestation is often necessary for mining sites which directly reduces the amount of CO2 taken from the atmosphere which worsens air quality. Extraction of these materials needed for electric vehicles often involves smelting ores which can produce and release pollution such as nitrite oxide and sulfur oxide.
2. Unsustainable battery production: There are a large amount of emissions that are released during the manufacturing of electric vehicles batteries. A study found that 46% of EV carbon emissions come from the production process (Internetwork for Sustainability, 2021).
Particle matter is very dangerous as the air pollutant can cause respiratory issues and has a high mortality risk.

3. Increase of Particulate Matter: Electric vehicles tend to wear down tires faster than non-electric vehicles because of the increased weight of the vehicle due to the large battery. The wear and tear of tires can cause particulate matter to be released from tires into the atmosphere, soil, waterways, and human bloodstreams. The Guardian explains that the heavier car batteries and friction between tire and road results in heavy toxic smog which is comparable to pollution caused by gas powered vehicles.
4. Electricity source: With the increased use of electric vehicles there is an increased demand for electricity and depending on the region of the source of electricity there can be increased emissions. In 2021, Canada Energy Regulator said that 85% of Alberta’s electricity is fossil fuel powered. The increased use of Alberta’s electricity for electric vehicles ultimately produces more emissions (CRE 2024).

References
Alberta Municipalities. (n.d.). Clean energy improvement program. Retrieved from
https://www.abmunis.ca/products-services/clean-energy-improvement-program#:~:text =Alberta’s%20Clean%20Energy%20Improvement%20Program,efficiency%20and%20renew able%20energy%20upgrades.
British Columbia Gov. (2024). Zero Emission Vehicle Act. Retrieved from http://www2.Gov.bc.ca
Canada Energy Regulator. (2024). Provincial Energy Profiles. Retrieved from https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energ y-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-alberta.html

Article submitted by Jillian McIntyre, Environmental Science Student, University of Calgary

Researching Canadian Federal Policies & Alberta Provincial Policies on Electric Vehicles

Author Archives: CRAZ