Electrifying car-sharing could spark green tipping point

Needless to say, bold action is required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, as well as the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. As federal policy-makers deliberate how to tackle both challenges, via a green economic recovery plan, they’ll need to look “under the hood” of Canada’s vehicles to drive down our country’s emissions.

Attempts to reduce transportation-related emissions have proven to be especially vexing, given that passenger (“light-duty”) vehicle trips account for approximately 30% of a city’s total carbon footprint – and cities account for approximately 70% of national emissions. Canadian consumers’ penchant for larger/heavy (less fuel-efficient) vehicles isn’t helping: SUVs and pickup trucks account for 70% of new vehicle sales in Canada