Quebec passes bill that bans gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035
The ban, which is part of the province's plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, will take place in two phases.
The Quebec government has officially adopted a bill that will ban the sale of certain gas-powered vehicles by 2035 as part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The implementation will occur in two phases.
Starting January 31, 2034, advertisements for selling light combustion vehicles of the 2035 model year or later will be prohibited. This includes new and used vehicles, along with hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Following that, beginning December 31, 2035, selling and leasing new light combustion vehicles of the 2034 model year and earlier will also be banned.
Exceptions and Specifics
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, combustion engines may still be sold to replace defective engines in vehicles already operational in Quebec. Exemptions apply to emergency service vehicles, rental vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, off-road vehicles like snowmobiles and ATVs, and heavy vehicles. Light combustion vehicles already registered in the province can continue to be driven and resold.
Push for Stricter Measures
The political party Québec Solidaire (QS) had proposed an earlier ban on light gas-powered vehicles by 2030 to further cut GHG emissions. However, Environment Minister Benoit Charette explained in 2021 that such a timeline posed risks, as there might not be enough new electric vehicles available to meet demand in Quebec by then.
Future Adjustments and Goals
The ministry indicated that further adjustments might be recommended following market trend studies in 2026 and 2030. The provincial government has set an ambitious goal of having two million electric vehicles on Quebec’s roads by 2030. By the third quarter of 2024, nearly 33% of newly registered light vehicles in Quebec were electric.
Challenges Ahead
Despite this progress, Quebec recorded a peak in gas-powered vehicle sales in 2023. Automotive industry experts caution that the real challenge for the province will come in 2027 when financial incentives for electric vehicle purchases are set to end. These subsidies will begin to phase out starting in 2025.
