A hand on an EV charger plugged into a car.

Electric Vehicles

Transportation accounts for nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions in Nova Scotia. It is critical to adopt new technology and work toward electrifying all light duty (cars) and heavy duty (large trucks, buses) vehicles in our province. 
 

Electric Vehicle Policy

Electric Vehicle Policy

The EAC works to advance electric vehicle adoption in Nova Scotia. We seek to enable those that cannot use transit, active transportation, or car-share to drive electric instead of gas-powered vehicles. 

The focus of our work is on ensuring that policy measures, such as the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate proposed by the Government of Canada, are implemented in Nova Scotia. This policy will force car manufacturers to comply with mandatory electric vehicle sales targets. Under this mandate no one is forced to buy an electric vehicle, but it does make them a viable option. 

This provides potential access to anyone who needs to drive an electric vehicle. We have conducted a webinar highlighting electric vehicle adoption in Nova Scotia that is available to watch below. 

Ensuring ZEV Adoption in Nova Scotia

A recent EAC report commissioned by Dunsky Energy + Climate Partners has revealed an alarming possibility: without regulations driving the regional distribution of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) beyond provinces with provincial ZEV supply regulations, Nova Scotia and other provinces could fall significantly short of the federal ZEV adoption targets. This could also impact the overall effectiveness of federal regulations in achieving a net greenhouse gas (GHG) benefit. 

Read the report

The report emphasizes the need for regulated ZEV sales targets. Such targets would send a clear signal to manufacturers, encouraging them to increase the supply of electric vehicles in Canada. This, in turn, would create a positive cycle of supply and adoption, ultimately fostering market certainty for the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

To ensure that all Canadians, regardless of their province or territory, can benefit from this cycle of supply, adoption, and infrastructure deployment, it is essential for the Government of Canada to facilitate supply equity across the country. To address nationwide supply shortages and wait times, strong federal regulation is necessary. By implementing an opt-in mechanism within forthcoming regulations, regional inequities can be effectively addressed, mitigating the risk of non-compliance in provinces without ZEV mandates.

Nova Scotia Electric Vehicle Adoption Webinar

Dunsky Energy Consulting on behalf of the EAC presents the Electric Vehicle Adoption Study 2020-2030 Report for Nova Scotia. This whitepaper examines the potential for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Nova Scotia and assesses the likely impact of provincial policy options on market adoption of EVs. Read the full report here. 

Specifically, throughout this webinar we will discuss:

  • The current EV landscape in Nova Scotia, including ongoing initiatives, key barriers to adoption and other relevant information 

  • Key provincial policy levers that can alleviate barriers and accelerate EV adoption 

  • Likely EV adoption trajectories in the province under different provincial policy options. The webinar was recorded on July 24, 2020. For more information, please contact Thomas Arnason McNeil, Climate Policy Coordinator, Sustainable Transportation with the Ecology Action Centre, at thomas.arnasonmcneil@ecologyaction.ca 

Electric School Buses

Electric School Buses

The EAC is engaged in a project to promote the adoption of electric school buses in Nova Scotia. Funded by the Trottier and Echo foundations, the goal of our advocacy is to replace as many Nova Scotia diesel-powered school buses with electric.

Our goal is to:   

  • Mobilize and support stakeholders who wish to advance school bus electrification 

  • Develop strategies and recommendations to accelerate the electrification of school buses across Nova Scotia 

  • Be a public voice in favour of accelerating the uptake of electric school buses  

  • Promote the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and experiences in school bus electrification specific to each province   
     

Energy Storage & EV Charging

Learn about the role energy storage and EV charging can play in combatting climate change. This presentation from October 2022 was presented by Dr. Jeff Dahn, a professor at the Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science and the Department of Chemistry at Dalhousie University and a globally recognized pioneer in the development of the lithium-ion battery.

Advancing EV Adoption in N.S. Survey

To view this survey in your browser, click here.