The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Ottawa plans to eliminate its policy mandating that electric vehicles comprise an increasing portion of passenger-vehicle sales in a new automotive strategy to be unveiled on Thursday.
The Globe's Eric Atkins, Robert Fife and Adam Radwanski write that several sources say the plan is to replace the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, or ZEV mandate, with a return to tailpipe emissions regulations.
Sources say Ottawa will bring back EV purchase rebates for consumers and promises new investments in charging infrastructure.
The move to scrap the ZEV mandate follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's suspension of the policy last September for a 60-day review, with no updates since.
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association's Brian Kingston says the repeal will provide "immediate relief" to an industry under "extreme pressure" from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
He says, "The issue is the demand hasn't been there because the key barriers to adoption have not been adequately addressed." The new consumer incentives' details are unclear. Previous rebates, which expired last year, offered up to $5,000 for new EV purchases, regardless of the car's origin.
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