Zero-Emission Vehicles Act

In 2019, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in the world to legislate a 100 percent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from B.C.’s transportation sector.

On May 30, 2019, the Zero-Emission Vehicle Act (ZEV Act) was passed requiring automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of ZEV sales in the province.

 The ZEV Act is intended to:

• Increase the number of ZEVs available in the province
• Support the affordability of ZEVs and
• Ensure provincial greenhouse gas reduction targets are met

In November 2023, as part of the commitments within the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (PDF 9.4 MB), the ZEV Act’s provincial ZEV sales targets were accelerated reaching:

• 26% of light-duty and Class 2B (*) vehicle sales by 2026
• 90% by 2030 and
• 100% by 2035

(*) New vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less are part of this sales requirement.

ZEV Regulation

The ZEV Regulation outlines how B.C. will make the switch to 100 percent light-duty ZEVs by 2035. While the ZEV Act provides the overarching framework for the ZEV standard in the province, some of the more technical components are prescribed by the ZEV Regulation including phased-in annual targets and compliance requirements.

As the Province works to transition to ZEVs, regular technical reviews of the ZEV Act and ZEV Regulation are undertaken based on current market trends and engagement with interested parties to ensure we are achieving our intended outcomes. 

For more information about B.C.'s ZEV Act and Regulation, please see the B.C. Zero-Emission Vehicles Act & Regulation Guidance Document (PDF 470 KB). For more information about recent changes to the ZEV Act and Regulation see Version 2 of the B.C. Zero-Emission Vehicles Act & Regulation Guidance Document (494.3 KB). These changes primarily take effect October 1, 2024. 

ZEV Act Compliance and Enforcement

Each year, automakers are required to demonstrate compliance with the ZEV Act and Regulation for the vehicles they sell in B.C. through the Zero Emission Vehicles Reporting System.

If interested, a compliance summary is provided in the Provinces annual ZEV update.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles

As part of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 commitments, the Province is working to develop medium- and heavy-duty vehicle requirements, including ZEV sales targets, which align with California and other leading jurisdictions.

In May 2023, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation shared a consultation paper (PDF 567 KB) with interested parties to provide feedback on a range of proposed policies for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. This consultation opportunity has now closed, and feedback is being considered.

Updates on the status of this initiative will be provided here once available.

British Columbia ZEV Advisory Council

The British Columbia ZEV Advisory Council (ZEV Council) provides strategic advice on how to meet B.C.’s ZEV goals with the primary objectives of:

• supporting the transition to ZEVs
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• increasing economic opportunities
• improving community health and resilience

The ZEV Council also acknowledges the following five-pillar approach as important and complementary strategies to increase the overall energy efficiency of the transportation system:

1. Reduce Distance Travelled
2. Increase Mode Shift
3. Improve Vehicle Efficiency
4. Adopt ZEVs
5. Use Clean Fuels

The Council includes members from First Nations, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry, academia, infrastructure providers and local governments.