Mr. Chair, members of the committee, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
My name is Sébastien Côté. I am pleased to be here today as chairman of the Association des véhicules électriques du Québec, or AVEC.
For 12 years, AVEC has been a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and promote electromobility in Quebec—whether through training, education or representation—thanks to the expertise of our employees and volunteers. Our vision is both simple and ambitious. We want to be the gold standard for information and education on electromobility in Quebec for Quebec consumers.
Our role is to give consumers objective information on electric vehicles, demystify the technology and the real costs of use, assist future buyers through experienced volunteers and support the transition by offering objective advice and using practices based on real user experience and reliable data. It's important to note that AVEC isn't an activist organization but a consumer organization dedicated to consumers.
That said, why is it important to maintain the electric vehicle availability standard? AVEC is based on two important principles: accessibility and affordability. I will make my case in four points.
First, electric vehicles have to become a real buying option for households. According to Statistics Canada, zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, accounted for 13.8% of all new vehicle sales in the country in 2024. In the second quarter of 2025, that percentage dropped to 9.2%. According to the same source, as at June of this year, only 7.9% of vehicles sold were ZEVs. In other words, the Canadian market is slowing down.
Why is that?
First, it's slowing down because supply is no longer as strong as it is elsewhere in the world. Without ZEV standards, Canada becomes a non-priority market for manufacturers, which means fewer models, slower deliveries and higher prices. A clear standard makes it possible to force the industry to offer the same vehicles here as in Europe or California. Canada has to remain in that group to ensure a modern and competitive market for Canadians. When manufacturers are forced to deliver vehicles, prices drop, and there are more choices, so the consumer comes out ahead. It's a win for consumers.
Second, electric vehicles are economically beneficial for consumers when the full life cycle is taken into account. For example, the total cost of owning a 2022 electric Kona was about $50,000 over eight years, compared with about $60,000 for the gas version. Those $10,000 in savings are due to significantly lower energy costs. For their part, Quebec consumers benefit from low-cost hydroelectricity and make substantial savings as a result. Driving 100 km in an electric car costs $2 to $3 if you charge the battery at home, while it costs $10 to $15 for a gas-powered car.
Third, Canada has to catch up with, or at least not fall further behind, countries that are doing well. Quebec is often compared to Norway. This is not a pipe dream. In that cold Nordic country with a number of rural regions, sales for new all-electric vehicles are now over 80%, whereas in Canada, the sales are peaking at 14% in 2025. What are the differences between Canada and Norway? Norway has implemented a clear policy, strict regulations and a stable vision. What's the outcome? There are more models, and those models cost less and are available more quickly. Without a standard, Canada would become a country where the industry liquidates its heat engine models while it sells its electric models en masse elsewhere.
Fourth, the ZEV standard enables an orderly transition that protects the economy, the workforce and charging infrastructure. If there isn't a predictable framework, then services, manufacturing and private investments in charging slow down, which directly harms consumers; small or medium-sized businesses, or SMEs; and workers. The standard sends a clear signal of stability to the industry. Charging companies can plan their activities; electricians can be trained; manufacturers can invest; SMEs can innovate; and municipalities and condominiums can gradually adapt. Conversely, a market without a standard becomes chaotic and experiences alternating surpluses and shortages, inconsistent investments and infrastructure that moves in fits and starts. A poorly managed transition comes at a high cost, while a planned transition like the one enabled by the ZEV standard reduces risks and maximizes economic benefits.
In closing, AVEC's mission is simple. We help Canadians understand and choose the electric vehicles that meet their needs. The ZEV standard is not a constraint; it ensures access to affordable models that are available here, not just elsewhere.