The suspension for February and March of the provincial Roulez vert program, which helps with the purchase of a new electric vehicle, is worrying. Experts question how the Electrification and Climate Change Fund (FECC), which finances this program, is managed.
Posted at 10:54 a.m.
The president of the sectoral organization Electric Mobility Canada Daniel Breton wonders why there is a lack of liquidity for Roulez vert, given that the FECC is swimming in surpluses. Last April, this fund which, according to Quebec, is “entirely dedicated” to financing programs like Roulez vert, ÉcoCamionnage and Réno-Climat, posted a surplus of 1.7 billion.
“This raises a question: how is this fund managed, which should only be used to finance these programs, while Quebec is on the verge of missing its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target? »
At the office of Minister Benoit Charette, we put things into perspective. “This fund is used for a range of programs according to five major economic sectors. Their funding is distributed pro rata. It cannot only be used to help the solo car,” says Mélina Jalbert, press secretary to the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. “We continue to help with school buses, public charging infrastructure, public transportation…”
Regarding greenhouse gas emissions, Minister Charette should also provide an update in the coming days. Quebec has committed to reducing the province’s GHG emissions by 37.5% below their 1990 level, by 2030 at the latest.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Quebec Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette
After a drop in GHG emissions in 2020, following the slowdown in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, provincial emissions increased in 2021, then in 2022.
The Minister of the Environment suggests that Quebec could be back below the 2019 emissions level. “We are still on track to reach our target [de 2030] “, we assure the minister’s office. “It’s very encouraging. »
Little impact for Roulez vert
Auto sales are cyclical. Very few are sold during the winter. The temporary suspension of the Roulez vert program could have only a very small impact on the electric shift in Quebec’s automobile fleet and on the more general reduction of the province’s GHG emissions.
“It will temporarily reduce sales of electric vehicles. It will decrease by February and in March, it will start again when Quebec publishes its next budget,” estimates Daniel Breton. “Federal aid will continue at least until the next federal election. »
On the other hand, it seems that Quebec will also stop providing financial assistance for the purchase and installation of residential charging stations. This assistance can reach $600 for an individual, and up to half of the expenses, for a maximum of $5,000 per terminal or connector, for terminals installed in multi-unit buildings.
“That is unacceptable,” adds Mr. Breton. “Especially for aid to multi-residential buildings, which is essential. »
At the office of Minister Benoit Charette, we procrastinate. “We are aiming for a relaunch in March with the budget,” indicates his press secretary. This temporary suspension of the program occurs at the end of the fiscal year for the provincial government. It’s also the time of year when the fewest new vehicles are sold.
32,000 new vehicles were sold last February, compared to an average of around 40,000 vehicles per month for the rest of the year, according to Statistics Canada.
The impact of this pause will therefore perhaps not be so great, says Daniel Breton, especially since Quebec is almost two years ahead of its targets for electrification of light transport, he adds. Almost a third of new vehicles sold in the province in the second quarter of 2024 were electrified. This is a proportion that Quebec hoped to reach in 2026.
