Clean transportation

Whether it’s getting the kids to school or getting goods to market, transportation is a big part of daily life.  B.C. is taking action through the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 to accelerate the move to lower-carbon transportation and prepare our transportation networks for climate impacts.

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Find rebates and programs

Electric bike and van at a charging station.

Transportation in 2030

As part of B.C.’s 2030 commitment to reduce province-wide emissions by 40% from 2007 levels, the Province has set a 2030 target to reduce transportation emissions by about a third. The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 maps out the most promising routes to reach this target and sets our course to fulfill our net-zero commitments by 2050.

Here are some ways we might get around differently in 2030 based on the Roadmap to 2030:

  • Zero-emission vehicles make up 90% of all new car and truck sales in B.C., and a greater percentage of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales
  • About 30% of trips take place by walking, cycling or using public transit instead of personal vehicles

How we’re making vehicles and fuels cleaner

B.C. is moving towards a future where passenger vehicles create zero emissions and commercial transportation is significantly cleaner.

Zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) standards and rebates

  • As part of the Roadmap to 2030, B.C. will require 26% of all new, light-duty vehicles sold to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2026, rising to 90% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. Targets will be developed for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
  • B.C. already has the highest uptake of ZEVs in North America, with more than 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales as of June 2021
  • The CleanBC Go Electric light-duty vehicle rebate program provides point-of-purchase rebates on ZEVs to B.C. residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and local governments
  • The Emotive program raises public awareness of ZEVs in B.C. by partnering with communities and local organizations

Heavy-duty vehicles and fleet

  • B.C. will establish ZEV-first purchase policies for public-sector fleets as part of the Roadmap to 2030, with ZEVs accounting for 100% light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027
  • The CleanBC Go Electric Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive (SUVI) program supports the adoption of many different types of ZEVs. This includes rebates for motorcycles, low-speed utility trucks, electric cargo bicycles, a variety of medium and heavy-duty trucks and more
  • The CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots program supports commercial ZEV adoption for B.C.-based businesses, non-profits and Indigenous and local governments
  • The CleanBC Go Electric Fleets program  supports B.C.-registered companies, Indigenous and local governments and public sector organizations transitioning their light-duty fleets to ZEVs.
  • CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program provides funding to support companies operating in the ZEV sector in B.C., to create jobs, increase exports and attract international investment
  • StrongerBC, the Province’s economic recovery plan, committed $30 million to the Commercial Vehicle Innovation Challenge
  • The Clean BC Heavy-Duty Vehicle Efficiency Program provides fuel management and fleet efficiency training for businesses and incentives for the installation of qualifying fuel-saving equipment
  • FortisBC offers incentives for switching to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), which reduces the emissions produced by mining and heavy-duty transport trucks, marine vessels or locomotives

Charging and refueling infrastructure

Cleaner fuels

  • Under the Roadmap to 2030, B.C. will strengthen the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, requiring fuel suppliers to make continuous reductions in their products’ carbon intensity
  • The Province is working with producers to double the commitment to develop production capacity for made-in-B.C. renewable fuels to 1.3 billion litres per year by 2030

How we're making it easier to get around without a car

Active transportation refers to walking, cycling and other forms of people-powered travel. Through CleanBC, the province is working with communities to make it easier to get around safely without the use of a car.

Active transportation

  • B.C. aims to double the percentage of trips taken by active transportation by 2030
  • The Roadmap to 2030 targets a 25% reduction in kilometres driven by personal vehicles compared to 2020, with 30% of trips taking place by walking, cycling or on public transit by 2030
  • Move. Commute. Connect. is B.C.’s plan to improve walking, cycling and other active networks and ensure they are safe, accessible and convenient for people of all ages and abilities
  • The B.C. government offers active transportation infrastructure and planning grants to Indigenous and local governments to support active transportation improvements
  • Budget 2021 exempts electric bicycles from provincial sales tax, making active transportation options more affordable for people
  • As part of the CleanBC Go Electric program, Scrap-It offers rebates for the purchase of a new electric bike or BC Transit pass for people who scrap their old vehicles
  • Budget 2021 includes $18 million towards active transportation infrastructure. StrongerBC also included more than $16 million in funding for active transportation projects

Transit and ferries

  • BC Ferries, BC Transit and TransLink have all begun adding electric options to their fleets, with additional battery-electric busses and hybrid-electric ferries coming into service in 2022  
  • B.C. is funding SkyTrain cars, buses and other improvements through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, in partnership with federal and local governments
  • All BC Transit and TransLink transit services are now free of charge for children aged 12 and under
  • Together with the federal government, the Province provided more than $1 billion for TransLink, BC Transit and BC Ferries through the Safe Restart Agreement to support safe, reliable and affordable public transportation
  • CleanBC commits to fully electrifying B.C.’s inland ferry fleet by 2040
  • BC Ferries is adding hybrid-electric vessels to its fleet by 2022. Two ferries are already in operation

Transportation infrastructure

  • The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure requires future impacts of climate change be considered when designing infrastructure such as roads and bridges
  • StrongerBC includes an additional $20 million to make roads and highway systems more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as flooding

Find rebates and programs

For individuals and businesses

  • The CleanBC Go Electric program offers:
    • Rebates for zero-emission passenger vehicles like cars and trucks
    • Rebates for specialty and commercial vehicles
    • Funding for public and private fleets
    • Funding for personal and public charging stations and hydrogen fuelling stations 
    • Skills training
    • Research funding

  • The Scrap-It Program provides several types of rebates for scrapping your old vehicle, including new and used electric vehicles, electric bikes, transit passes and car share membership

  • CleanBC Heavy-Duty Vehicle Efficiency Program
    provides fuel management and fleet efficiency training for businesses and incentives for installing qualifying fuel-saving equipment

For communities

  • The CleanBC Go Electric program has rebates and funding for zero-emission vehicles, charging stations, hydrogen fuelling stations, skills training, zero-emission vehicle awareness, and research and development.

Grant programs (check for intake dates):

Read our plans and reports