Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, highlighted the Government’s plan to invest $547.5 million over four years to launch a new purchase incentive program for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles to help businesses upgrade their fleets.

“Transportation accounts for 41 percent of the polluting greenhouse gases we emit in Quebec. Helping Quebeckers make the switch to electric vehicles is absolutely essential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and building a low carbon economy. That’s why our Government is making it easier for Quebeckers and Quebec businesses to purchase medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Switching to electric vehicles is one of the most impactful things Quebeckers and Quebec businesses can do to fight climate change and build a sustainable economy. In our most recent budget, we are showing a complete strategy from the mineral development to consumer financial support, to help the supply and purchase of electric vehicles. ”
 – Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

“Motrec is a prime example of the kinds of innovation in industrial vehicles needed for the whole economy to switch to electric vehicles. We are incredibly proud of this Sherbrooke-based business that has operations spanning the globe. They are helping to put Sherbrooke, Quebec and Canada at the centre of the global switch to electric vehicles.”
– Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke

• According to the Canada Energy Regulator, as of 2018, Quebec’s average consumption of refined petroleum products was 2,682 litres per capita.

• The largest emitting sectors in Quebec are transportation at 41 percent of emissions, heavy industries at 25 percent, and buildings at 14 percent.

• The Government will launch an integrated strategy to reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV)—such as trucks and buses—with the aim of reaching 35 percent of total MHDV sales being ZEVs by 2030.

• The Government will work with provinces and territories to develop and harmonize regulations and to conduct safety testing for long-haul zero-emission trucks.

• To help decarbonize vehicles already on the road, Budget 2022 proposes to provide $199.6 million over five years, starting in 2022–23, to expand the Green Freight Assessment Program, which will be renamed the Green Freight Program. This will support assessments and retrofits of more vehicles and a greater diversity of fleet and vehicle types.

• The Government will also support municipal transit agencies and school boards in transitioning their bus fleets to zero-emission technology by supporting the planning, purchase and deployment of at least 5,000 zero-emission buses, and the associated infrastructure.

Associated links

• Budget 2022: A plan to grow our economy and make life more affordable
• Budget 2022: Reducing emissions on the road
• Incentives for purchasing zero-emission vehicles

Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
Kaitlin.Power@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
media@ec.gc.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Twitter page

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Facebook page