WWF-Canada announced the launch of Transportation rEVolution, a program aimed at reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation by encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
A recent Environics study commissioned by WWF-Canada showed that while Canadians overwhelmingly support EVs (73 per cent support government actions to promote electric cars), they are unclear on the environmental value of EVs. The research found that just 26 per cent of Canadians strongly agree that vehicle emissions in Canada are a major source of climate change, and 36 per cent of Canadians are unsure about the impact of an EV on reducing a household’s GHG emissions. WWF’s Transportation rEVevolution will work to provide accurate and useful information to help Canadians make informed decisions about their transportation choices.
Based on modeling completed in WWF’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential of Electric Vehicles: 2025 Outlook Report (www.wwf.ca/ghgreduction), WWF has set the ambitious target of 600,000 EVs – accounting for 10 per cent of vehicle sales – on Canada’s roads by 2020. To achieve this goal, WWF will work with governments, businesses and individuals to:
-- highlight environmental benefits of EVs
-- support improved access to EVs and EV infrastructure
-- achieve competitive pricing with conventional vehicles
-- expand travel freedom for EV users with infrastructure and travel
partnership options
-- provide Canadians with positive EV information and experiences
Electric vehicles are part of a suite of sustainable transportation options necessary to reduce GHG emissions, including improved public transportation and urban design, as well as a shift to increased walking and cycling.
Quotes
‘Emissions from transportation are one of the biggest contributors to climate change, in Canada and around the world. Switching from gas-powered to electric vehicles is a critical part of building a sustainable transportation future. WWF will work with businesses, governments and other organizations to help ensure electric vehicles are an affordable and effective alternative for all Canadians.’
– Josh Laughren, Director, Climate and Energy Program, WWF-Canada
‘At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, we are actively working to reduce our GHG emissions and are firm believers that travel and sustainability can go hand and hand. We would like to commend WWF-Canada on their forward-thinking electric vehicle campaign, and will show our support through the installation of EV charging stations at our celebrated collection of luxury hotels across Canada.’
– Sarah Dayboll, Director, Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
‘Greenhouse gases are one of the leading environmental stresses. This was abundantly clear a couple months ago when Arctic sea ice shrunk to the smallest area since record-keeping began. We at Electric Mobility Canada champion the notion that electric vehicles are a viable and important solution for reducing greenhouse gases. WWF’s support of sustainable transportation is a great step towards a more climate-friendly future.’
– Chris Hill, President and CEO, Electric Mobility Canada
‘As the first car sharing company in Canada to introduce 100% electric vehicles, we know that there is a great opportunity to transform transportation and reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions by using carsharing, electric vehicles and green energy. AutoShare welcomes WWF’s campaign and looks forward to new initiatives to support electric mobility.’
– Kevin McLaughlin, President and Founder of AutoShare
‘With the largest carsharing fleet of electric vehicles in Canada, we are already providing access to personal electric mobility across the province of Quebec. Nevertheless, we feel that a great deal more needs to be done in order to make electric mobility truly accessible to everyone and to help them realize that it is not necessary to own a car to take advantage of its benefits. It is for these reasons that we look forward to working with WWF as they raise awareness about the importance of electric vehicles as a solution to climate change.’
– Marco Viviani, Development and Public Relations Director.
Facts
-- Road transportation accounts for 19 per cent of Canada's GHG emissions,
according to the 2010 national GHG inventory report issued by
Environment Canada. Emissions from this sector have increased by 39 per
cent since 1990, second only to GHG emissions growth from the Canadian
oil sands industry.
-- According to the 'GHGenius model' of Natural Resource Canada and with
today's electricity generation infrastructure, EVs in Canada have the
potential to reduce life cycle GHG emissions per vehicle per kilometre
travelled by more than 60 per cent over conventional gasoline vehicles.
The Environics study found that:
-- 73 per cent of Canadians would support government actions to encourage
changing to electric vehicles through individual incentives; 65 per cent
through corporate incentives.
-- 62 per cent of Canadians agree that knowing a company uses EVs in their
fleet would make them feel more positively about that company.
-- 59 per cent of Canadians would be interested in renting an EV if the
opportunity arose.
-- 47 per cent of Canadians have no experience with EVs; just four per cent
say they have driven one, while seven per cent have ridden in an EV.
-- Close to 6 in 10 Canadians do not use any sustainable transportation
methods on a regular basis.
For more information about WWF’s Transportation rEVolution program, please visit: http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/global_warming/transportation/.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential of Electric Vehicles: 2025 Outlook Report: http://awsassets.wwf.ca/downloads/wwf_ev_report_2012.pdf.
Road Transportation Emissions Reduction Strategies: http://awsassets.wwf.ca/downloads/road_transportation_emissions_reduction_strategies___2012.pdf.
