Auto groups are joining to announce a roadmap to reaching net-zero emissions targets by 2035. (Courtesy Roadto2035.ca)

Canada’s largest automobile associations will launch a roadmap of investments and policies required for the country to achieve its targets of 50-per-cent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.

Representatives from the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association and Global Automakers of Canada held a live announcement on Thursday (March 10) to discuss the opportunities and challenges in growing the popularity of ZEVs in Canada.

“Auto manufacturers are investing billions to produce electric vehicles, including right here in Canada,” said Brian Kingston, president and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA), in a statement. “Ambitious government action is required now to boost consumer incentives, build charging infrastructure, and help more Canadians make the switch to electric.”

The announcement comes amid a strong push for ZEVs and grows in popularity country-wide. The group also unveiled its website, Roadto2035.ca, to provide education and resources for Canadian consumers.

Additionally, by 2023, it is anticipated there will be over 130 ZEV models available in the Canadian market, according to CVMA stats.

Path to net-zero for the auto industry

The auto groups are aligned in that significant government action is required to achieve the target for all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks sales to be zero-emission by 2035.

“The transition to 100 per cent ZEVs sales will be a massive societal transition that will require government leadership and programs as well as a shift in societal barriers. It will require federal and provincial cooperation to avoid competing and potentially counterproductive approaches,” said Tim Reuss, president and CEO of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, in the statement.

David Adams, president & CEO of the Global Automakers of Canada, added that because the auto industry is undergoing a generational energy transformation from fossil fuels to electrified transportation, an all-hands-on-deck approach is needed to meet demand.

Among the actionable steps recommended by the auto groups will be investments in charging infrastructure, creating an EV battery supply chain and enhancing consumer incentives to make the vehicles affordable.

Auto organizations helping to net-zero targets

Before joining together to tackle this issue, each association has pledged support for initiatives that will help transform the industry.

Canadian Automobile Dealers Association is the national association representing new car and truck dealers and has more than 3,200 members who employ approximately 160,000. It has joined the government’s push for a mandate to enforce ZEV sales quotas by the end of 2022.

Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association represents Canada’s leading manufacturers like Ford, GM and Stellantis, which have over 1,300 dealerships directly tied to 136,000 jobs. Those companies report investments of approximately $6 billion thus far to build ZEVs.

Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) represents the Canadian interests of 15 leading automakers, including BMW Canada Inc., Honda Canada Inc., and Kia Canada Inc.

Automakers tied to these organizations will reportedly release more than 125 ZEV models by 2025.