VANCOUVER, May 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada's climate plan is working for our planet, and it is working for Canadians. Zero emission vehicles play a key role in the clean economy of tomorrow. As Canadians continue to make greener choices, our government is delivering more options for them to drive where they need to go while reducing pollution.
Joe Peschisolido, Member of Parliament for Steveston–Richmond East, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced funding for two retail hydrogen refuelling stations in the Lower Mainland. Natural Resources Canada is providing $2 million to HTEC (Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation) through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative (EVAFIDI).
The funding is part of Canada's $182.5-million investment to develop a coast-to-coast fast-charging network for electric vehicles and to establish natural gas stations along key freight corridors and hydrogen stations in metropolitan centres. This investment will also ensure Canada–U.S. alignment of standards for low-carbon vehicles and refuelling infrastructure.
The Government of British Columbia also contributed $1 million through its Clean Energy Vehicle Program as part of the province's CleanBC plan to reduce pollution and meet its climate targets. CleanBC puts the province on a path to ensure that all new light-duty cars and trucks are zero-emission vehicles by the year 2040.
Through Canada's national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that cleaner transportation options are a necessity for Canada's low-carbon future. The Government of Canada continues to support green infrastructure projects that will create good jobs, advance Canada's green future and help us reach our domestic and international climate targets.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada has set ambitious targets for sales of zero-emission vehicles: 10 percent of light-duty vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025, 30 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040.
- The Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative is part of Canada's $180+ billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, our government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- Budget 2019 proposes an additional $130 million to support the installation of electric vehicle chargers where Canadians live, work and play. It will also support electrification of mass transit, last mile delivery and fleet infrastructure projects.
Quote
"Our government continues to provide Canadians — including British Columbians — with cleaner travel and shipping options. We are making strategic investments to make it easier and more affordable for Canadians to choose zero-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles to reduce costs, improve air quality and cut pollution."
Joe Peschisolido, Member of Parliament for Steveston–Richmond East
"Our CleanBC plan is making clean transportation more convenient, available and affordable for British Columbians. By investing in clean energy infrastructure, we are making it easier for British Columbians to choose a zero-emission vehicle as their next purchase. Today's announcement moves B.C. further forward towards building our hydrogen fuelling station network, putting this province on a path that powers our future with clean, renewable energy."
Bowinn Ma, Member of Legislative Assembly for North Vancouver–Lonsdale
"We couldn't lead the rollout of Canada's first network of retail hydrogen refuelling stations without strong partners in the federal and provincial governments. This investment in Canadian clean energy infrastructure supports the initial rollout of fuel cell electric vehicles in British Columbia while helping Canada meet its clean air and carbon emission reduction targets."
Colin Armstrong, CEO, HTEC
Related Links
- EVAFIDI Successful Applicants
- Electric Charging and Alternative Fuelling Stations Locator
- Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100; Alexandre Deslongchamps, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-292-6837, [email protected]
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