Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a combined investment of over $450,000 to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and Electric Autonomy Canada for separate zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) awareness projects. According to the Government of Canada, federal funding for these projects is provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative, which “supports projects that increase awareness, knowledge and public confidence in ZEVs, public charging, and refueling infrastructure.”
As part of the country’s initiative to reduce emissions, the ZEV Awareness Initiative is designed to help Canadians know more about the clean options available to them when choosing a new vehicle.
Of the approximately $450,000 investment, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) will receive $285,000 to develop an interactive Buyer’s Guide. The Buyer’s Guide will be designed to foster consumer confidence in EV purchases by providing information about the most critical elements of EV ownership. “CAA has been supporting the transition to more fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles for more than a decade,” Ian Jack, vice-president, public affairs of CAA, stated. “With support from NRCan, CAA is looking forward to creating an EV Buyer’s Guide to help Canadians ready to take the step to electric vehicles.”
Electric Autonomy Canada will receive the remaining $176,375 to “develop and launch an awareness initiative for light-and medium-duty fleets on the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs).
The platform will provide the tools and education necessary to help prepare for the transition to fleet electrification,” the Government announced. “With the support of the Government of Canada, we’re excited to be launching Canada’s number-one knowledge platform to advance the electrification of fleets,” Nino Di Cara, founder and president of Electric Autonomy Canada stated.
“We’ll be working directly with our industry and research partners to develop learning modules, real-world case studies, best practices and videos that act as a resource to inform, educate and empower fleet owners and operators to successfully transition to zero-emission vehicles,” Di Cara added.
With transportation accounting for 25 percent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions, a move to ZEVs will help the country achieve its climate targets.
