Views of BC’s New-Vehicle Zero-Emission Sales Mandate
Vancouver, BC September 21, 2026 – A new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of the Energy Futures Institute shows Survey respondents were shown the following information and then asked whether they support or oppose two measures under the new-vehicle zero-emission sales mandate.
B.C. legislation requires automakers to meet minimum percentages of new light-duty vehicle sales that qualify as zero-emission vehicles. Manufacturers who do not achieve the required percentage of new car sales may face a $20,000 penalty for each vehicle that exceeds the percentage of non-electric (i.e. internal combustion) vehicles allowed.
Regular non-plug-in hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius Hybrid or Honda Civic Hybrid, which are typically less expensive to purchase than fully-electric vehicles, do not count toward the required percentage. The target is 26% for the 2026 model year and 75% for the 2035 model year; a revised interim target for 2030 has not yet been announced.
If B.C.'s new-vehicle zero-emission sales mandate remains in place, British Columbians say they support both of the following measures:
Seven-in-ten (70%) say they support allowing regular hybrid vehicles to count toward the EV sales percentage (24% strongly, 46% somewhat). Only 14% oppose this measure (4% strongly, 10% somewhat) and 16% are undecided.
Two-thirds (67%) say they support reinstating provincial government rebates for consumers who purchase qualifying electric vehicles (28% strongly, 39% somewhat). Two-in-ten (20%) oppose this measure (9% strongly, 11% somewhat) and 13% are undecided.
About the Study
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted September 8 to 14, 2026 on behalf of the Energy Futures Institute. For this survey, a sample of 800 adult British Columbians were surveyed online with sample sourced through the Ipsos panel. Data was weighted by BC region, age, gender and education, in accordance with Census proportions. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±4.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Kyle Braid
SVP, Ipsos Public Affairs
+1 604 788-2417
[email protected]
About Ipsos
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