The City of Toronto’s proposed Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy, a first for the City, will be considered on January 9 by members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. The strategy identifies a range of actions to support the adoption of electric vehicles in Toronto and the achievement of a key goal in the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy to have 100 per cent of transportation use zero-carbon energy by 2050. Vehicles generate more than one-third of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto.
With a focus on the electrification of passenger vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks and SUVs, the proposed strategy identifies 10 actions and four key objectives: increase charging availability, address cost and convenience barriers, increase public awareness and education, and create opportunities that will benefit the local economy. Passenger vehicles generate 79 per cent of transportation emissions.
The strategy was informed by municipal best practices and developed with extensive consultation with residents and more than 100 stakeholders including: automakers and manufacturers, EV charging infrastructure suppliers, EV technology companies, other municipalities and levels of government, non-governmental organizations, oil and gas companies, electricity system operators, building owners, property managers and developers, educators, and business groups.
This is one of several City initiatives underway to support sustainable transportation, including transportation and land use policies, programs and infrastructure that promote walking, cycling and public transit.
Subject to the actions of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, City Council will consider the item at its meeting of January 29. The agenda item is available at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2020.IE11.17
More information about the strategy and the City’s electric vehicle initiatives is available at: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmentally-friendly-city-initiatives/reports-plans-policies-research/electric-vehicles/
Quotes
“The electrification of transportation is key to our TransformTO climate action strategy and our goal to have 100 per cent of transportation powered by zero-carbon energy by 2050. Vehicles are the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto and we must act now to ensure that Toronto is well positioned to meet our TransformTO transportation goals.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The City’s Electric Vehicle Strategy is an important step to help Toronto residents and businesses transition to zero-carbon vehicles and a low-carbon city. Toronto must remain a leader in creating an environment that is ready for new technologies and the benefits that derive from them.”
– Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 6 York Centre), Chair of the City’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee
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