April 30, 2024 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New report says EV meeting targets would require two more Site C dams worth of electricity

Vancouver, BC — A new report published by the Energy Futures Institute (EFI) raises serious concerns about British Columbia’s ability to meet its ambitious zero-emission (ZEV) sales mandate. The report, which analyzed the feasibility and impact of the Provincial Government’s accelerated ZEV plan, raises important concerns about possible consequences of this policy.

A Road Too Far: Assessing British Columbia’s Power Needs and its Electric Vehicle Sales Mandate, a report prepared by professor and researcher Jerome Gessaroli examines the feasibility of the province’s ambitious mandate to increase ZEV sales to 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, given the requirement for a very large buildout of an electric vehicle (EV) supporting infrastructure and additional supplies of electricity.

“While these mandates aim to achieve an admirable goal – a reduction in GHG emissions – concerns persist surrounding the feasibility of accelerated widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption,” said Gessaroli. “High vehicle prices, an insufficient charging network, power and distribution limitations all present substantial challenges for accelerated widespread adoption.”

The report found that British Columbia is home to an insufficient number of vehicle charging stations to support province-wide ZEV adoption and identified that an accelerated mandate to require new EV sales would further strain BC’s electricity system. While the province is targeting 10,000 public chargers by 2030, estimates outlined in the report suggest that upwards of 40,000 public chargers could be needed by 2030 and upwards of 90,000 public chargers could be needed by 2040. The legislated sales targets for EVs are anticipated to require approximately 2,700 GWh of added electricity by 2030. By 2040, this requirement will grow to 9,700 GWh which is roughly equivalent to the output of two Site C dams.

“The scale of this infrastructure challenge cannot be overstated," continued Gessaroli. "To meet charging demands of mandated new EV adoption, more than fifteen public chargers will need to be installed daily from now until 2030.”

The report concluded with recommendations for the Provincial Government to either rescind its existing EV sales mandate or adjust its approach to focus more on aligning sales with emissions standards rather than vehicle sales.

"As we look to the future of EVs in our province, it’s important to approach matters from a practical and objective point of view,” said EFI Chair Barry Penner. “The additional amount of additional infrastructure required, including more electricity generation and large investments in enhanced transmission and distribution lines, is a formidable challenge. Looking to alternative models, such as those used by the U.S. federal government, can provide valuable lessons in flexibility and market responsiveness. We need to tailor a strategy that fits British Columbia’s unique needs and capacities."

Key Findings of the Report:

• British Columbia’s existing public charging infrastructure and electricity supply fall short of meeting the projected demand from an increased number of electric vehicles.
• Meeting the 2030 minimum new vehicle sales targets will require approximately 2,700 GWh of added electricity, about half the annual production of the still-unfinished Site C dam. By 2040, this requirement will grow to 9,700 GWh or equivalent to two Site C dams.
• EV adoption in British Columbia faces significant challenges in terms of high vehicle costs, insufficient charging stations, and electrical distribution upgrades needed to support the charging requirements.
• Recommendations include reconsidering the regulated targets for ZEV sales and aligning more closely with emissions-based models like those adopted by the U.S. federal government.
  

* Note: The opinions and views of the report author are his own and are not necessarily those of the British Columbia Institute of Technology. 

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Media Contact:
Taylor Verrall
taylor@resourceworks.com
250-508-3067

Jerome Gessaroli

Jerome Gessaroli is a senior fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute. He writes on economic and environmental matters, from a market-based principles perspective. Jerome teaches full-time at the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s School of Business, courses in corporate finance, security analysis, and advanced finance. He was also a visiting lecturer at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business, teaching their undergraduate and executive MBA programs.

Jerome is the lead Canadian co-author of 4 editions of the finance textbook, Financial Management Theory and Practice. He holds a BA in Political Science and an MBA from the Sauder School of Business, both from the University of British Columbia. Prior to teaching, he worked in the securities industry. Jerome also has international business experience, having worked for one of Canada’s largest industrial R&D companies developing overseas business opportunities in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India.

Energy Futures Institute

The Energy Futures Institute is a Resource Works-led project that will bring a fresh perspective to discussions surrounding the future of energy in British Columbia.

Energy Futures will explore some of the greatest challenges facing British Columbia’s energy security, affordability and independence, answering the big questions on how we meet BC’s growing energy demand while protecting our environment, not just today but for the coming decades and century ahead.