The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Quebec lawmakers on Wednesday okayed new zero-emission vehicle legislation that obliges automakers selling cars in the province to offer their customers a minimum number of hybrid, rechargeable and electric models. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that Quebec, the first Canadian province to pass such legislation, joins 10 American states that have similar laws designed to grow the supply and sales of plug-in electric vehicles at a time when North American consumer demand is growing for gasoline-powered SUVs and light trucks. Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel said in a statement, "We just approved one of the toughest laws in North America." Under the new law, 3.5 per cent of the total number of autos sold or leased by automakers in Quebec have to be zero-emissions vehicles starting in 2018, with that proportion to rise to 15.5 per cent in 2020, explained Emilie Simard, a spokesman for Mr. Heurtel. The sales would work through a tradable credit system, she explained. The system could be favourable to electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors, which would be able to sell its excess credits to other automakers.