Alberta Lags Behind in Electric Vehicle Ownership: Statistics Canada Data

Are Albertans Falling Behind in the Electric Vehicle Revolution?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future of transportation, but it seems that Alberta households are lagging behind when it comes to embracing this new technology. According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, only three percent of households in Alberta owned an electric or hybrid vehicle in 2021, compared to the national average of five percent. This puts Alberta in the lower tier when it comes to EV ownership in Canada.

Gordon Dewis, a data analyst with the environment accounts and statistics division, explains that the low numbers in Alberta are not surprising given that EV technology is still relatively new. He emphasizes that it’s too early to draw any conclusions from just one cycle of data collection.

However, there is some hope on the horizon. Motor vehicle registration data from March shows that EV and hybrid vehicle registrations are on the rise in Alberta. Rajko Pavic, an EV expert with GoElectric Vehicle Corporation, notes that hybrid vehicles, in particular, are seeing a surge in popularity. Within the last four years, there has been a 58 percent growth in EV sales in the province.

Despite this growth, Alberta still lags behind provinces like British Columbia and Quebec when it comes to EV adoption. Both B.C. and Quebec offer provincial rebates for purchasing an EV, while Alberta relies on the federal government’s Incentive for Zero Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program. Andrew Bell, director of the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta, suggests that the lack of provincial incentives in Alberta could be a contributing factor to the lower adoption rates.

Another challenge facing Alberta is the lack of public charging infrastructure. According to Natural Resources Canada, Alberta has significantly fewer EV charging ports compared to provinces like B.C. and Quebec. Sarah McBain, a senior analyst with the Pembina Institute, emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to charging stations, especially for those living in multi-unit residential buildings.

As Alberta looks to increase its EV adoption rates, it will be crucial to address these challenges and provide incentives for residents to make the switch to electric vehicles. With the federal government’s goal of phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, it’s essential for Alberta to catch up and embrace the electric vehicle revolution. Stay tuned for updates on EV adoption rates in Alberta as more data becomes available in the coming years.