Trucking association calls for zero emission vehicle mandate for commercial transportation

The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) is asking the provincial government to legislate a zero emission vehicle sales mandate for the commercial road transportation sector.

The BCTA said in a release that medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles are responsible for around 50 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions produced on the province’s roads.

The BCTA’s Sustainability Committee is advocating for outreach and incentives for carriers to adopt fuel efficiency technology and regulation to support the use of more zero-emission technologies.

One of the measures recommended by the BCTA is a provincewide zero emission vehicle sales mandate for the commercial road transportation. It’s suggested that all medium-duty vehicles sold in B.C. be zero or low emission by 2050, and all new heavy-duty vehicles be zero or low-emission by 2060.

“As the availability of heavy-duty zero emission vehicles continues to grow we need to address the challenges affecting uptake if we want to decarbonize our sector and do our part to build a cleaner, stronger economy for B.C.” said Dave Earle, BCTA President and CEO.

“It is essential that more action is taken to support the transition, and we hope our recommendation will facilitate the discussion that is urgently needed. We look forward to working with all levels of government to identify solutions that will accelerate the adoption of green vehicles to our industry.”