By including PHEVs, the proposed regulation, which is open for public consultation until Aug. 25, would be the strictest 2035 ICE sales ban in Canada

The Quebec government unveiled a draft regulation in the Gazette Officielle du Québec last week that spells out the conditions of its policy to prohibit the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles starting in 2035.

Quebec first announced its intention to ban new ICE vehicle sales by 2035 in 2020. However, only now is it bringing forward the actual regulation that, when enacted, will be the basis of the law.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the proposed rule, which is open for public consultation until Aug. 25, is that the ban on the sale of all new combustion-powered light-duty road vehicles will include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) as well as conventional ICE vehicles.

If enacted, this would make the Quebec 2035 ban stricter than either the current federal 2035 zero-emission vehicle standard or B.C.’s 2035 provincial mandate, both of which will allow continued sales of PHEVs beyond 2035.

Only true ZEVs to be permitted

A statement posted by Quebec’s ministry of the environment, the fight against climate change, wildlife and parks outlining the proposed ban describes the limitations as follows:

“The regulation would apply to any vehicle propelled by a main or auxiliary engine which burns a fuel that emits pollutants during propulsion, such as gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, propane or hydrogen (in the case of an internal combustion engine). The regulation would only authorize zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), meaning fully electric vehicles or vehicles powered by a hydrogen fuel cell or any other zero-emission propulsion technology developed by 2035.”

In reply to an email from Electric Autonomy, a ministry spokesperson confirmed that the ban includes PHEVs.

“The proposed regulation, if enacted as prepublished last week, includes the prohibition of the plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) on the same timeline as the fossil-fuel powered vehicles,” the spokesperson wrote.

A clear message

The timing of the draft regulation’s publication — coming at the same time as some are questioning the strength of EV demand and with the looming prospect of federal elections in both the U.S. and Canada — resonates with Daniel Breton, president and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada.

“It sends a clear message that whatever happens with whatever regulation in the U.S. or the rest of Canada, the government of Quebec is still dedicated to making sure that we switch to electric vehicles by 2035,” says Breton in an interview with Electric Autonomy. “To me, that’s the most important message.”

When it comes to the sale of used vehicles, the proposed regulation is more nuanced. In 2035 and beyond, sales of used ICE vehicles of model year 2035 or any subsequent model year will be banned. However, older model year used ICE vehicles will still be eligible for resale in the province.

“Combustion vehicles of model year 2034 and previous model years already registered in Quebec before 2035 will be able to continue to circulate and be resold,” explains the ministry spokesperson. “A used vehicle of model year 2034 or previous years could also be imported.”

The sale of internal combustion engines on their own would also be prohibited, according to the ministry’s announcement, except to repair a combustion engine vehicle that is already on the road in Quebec.

As well, the ministry states, these bans would apply to everyone — physical dealerships, online dealers, as well as the general public.

For anyone interested in learning more, the ministry is hosting a webinar to explain the proposed regulation on Friday, July 19.