Commercial Motor Vehicles

British Columbia Expands Weight Allowance for Low-Carbon Commercial Motor Vehicles

The government of British Columbia (BC) has expanded weight allowances for low-carbon commercial vehicles. The new allowance aims to offset the loss of payload capacity that commercial operators experience with greener vehicles. Low-carbon options weigh more than standard diesel trucks due to the size of their battery packs and hydrogen tanks. This rule change will provide another incentive to encourage operators to “go green” with their fleets and help decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the commercial trucking sector.

“We’re the only province or territory to offer a weight allowance incentive that empowers trucking companies to make investments in clean technology upgrades, knowing with confidence that it will be a sound investment for them,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming. “Promoting the adoption of green technology is not only central to our commitment to fighting climate change, but is essential to positioning the province for a strong economic recovery.”

Under the new rules, British Columbia is offering a 1,500 kg allowance to electrically powered, full-sized commercial motor vehicles and a 1,000 kg allowance to hydrogen-powered vehicles. To further support broad adoption, the government will make increases to maximum gross combination vehicle weight — up to 65,000 kg and 64,500 kg respectively. This is consistent with allowances already made for liquified natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled trucks and buses.

This move supports the province’s CleanBC goal of ensuring an ever-greater portion of vehicles on British Columbia’s roads are powered by electricity, hydrogen and renewables.

“By working with the trucking industry, we’re accelerating the transition to a cleaner economy by making it easier for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles to get on the roads,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman. “Through CleanBC, we’re working to reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gases and local air pollution, decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, and ensure a cleaner, stronger future for everyone.”

Currently, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles are responsible for about 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions from British Columbia’s road transportation sector. They also transport nearly 92% of all consumer goods (by weight) in the province.

“Compared to low- and zero-carbon passenger vehicles, clean technology for heavy-duty vehicles is still in early development,” said Dave Earle, president and CEO of BC Trucking Association. “These weight allowances make low-emission options more affordable for the trucking companies and drivers serving communities across British Columbia.”

To track how many electric and hydrogenpowered vehicles use the extra weight allowance, initial allowances for these vehicles will be available through letters of authorization. Following a 90-day notice period, CNG, LNG and LNG/diesel bi-fueled vehicles will also be required to obtain letters of authorization.

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet British Columbia’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy for everyone.

For more information about British Columbia’s climate action plan, visit www.cleanbc.gov.bc.ca. For more information about commercial vehicle safety and enforcement in Canada, visit www.cvse.ca. Also, to learn about the Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Programs, visit www2.gov.bc.ca and search “Go Electric

Commercial Vehicle Programs.” n

QUICK FACTS

• British Columbia’s 2021 budget includes $94 million for the CleanBC Go Electric

Program, which provides financial rebates for zero-emission vehicles, charging stations and funding to support the commercialization of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. • StrongerBC, the province’s economic recovery plan, provided $31 million for the Go Electric Specialty-Use Vehicle

Incentive (SUVI) program to double the maximum rebates for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles available for

British Columbia’s businesses, local and regional governments, public sector organizations and non-profit organizations. • Under the SUVI program, companies purchasing eligible vehicles will have access to rebates of up to 33% of the purchase price, with a maximum rebate for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles of up to $100,000 per vehicle. • Organizations in British Columbia can also access $11 million in support for piloting unique or large deployments of medium- and heavy-duty or very large electric vehicles, such as domestic air, marine or rail transportation, through the Commercial Vehicle Pilot program.

Eligible applicants can compete to receive up to one-third of total costs in rebates for vehicles and charging or refueling infrastructure.