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 CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 to accelerate the move to lower-carbon transportation and prepare our transportation networks for climate impacts.
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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 set 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
- B.C. has one of the largest public charging and refueling networks in Canada, which is supported by the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric Public Charger program and the CleanBC Go Electric Hydrogen Fuelling Infrastructure program
- As part of the Roadmap to 2030, the province has set a target of 10,000 public EV charging stations by 2030
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The Province, in partnership with BC Hydro and FortisBC, is providing rebates for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers for homes and workplaces across B.C.
- The CleanBC Communities Fund provides provincial and federal funding for community projects that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, including public charging infrastructure for ZEVs
- B.C. will develop “right to charge” legislation, allowing more people to install EV chargers in condos and apartments, as part of the Roadmap to 2030
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.
Walking, bicycling and other active networks
- 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
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
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
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
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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):
- B.C. Community Climate Funding Guide
a one-stop resource for climate funding source - CleanBC Communities Fund
cost sharing for clean energy and energy efficiency infrastructure - B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program
funding for municipalities, regional districts and Islands Trust - Active Transportation Network Planning Grant (delivered by UBCM) funding to local governments with populations under 25,000 to incorporate active transportation into land use and strategic plans
Read our plans and reports
- 2021 CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (PDF)
- 2018 CleanBC plan (PDF)
- See B.C.'s current progress in the 2021 Climate Change Accountability Report
- Sign up for CleanBC news and announcements