The Decibel Carney shifts gears on EV and climate policies
24 snips
Feb 10, 2026 
Adam Radwanski, policy columnist at The Globe and Mail who covers energy, climate and federal decisions, breaks down why the zero-emissions vehicle mandate was scrapped. He explains how auto credits worked and why demand and charging gaps mattered. He outlines the replacement measures like rebates and price caps, and contrasts the shift from strict rules to softer targets and incentives.
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What The ZEV Mandate Actually Required
- The zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate would have required automakers to steadily increase EV sales to 100% by 2035.
- It used a credit-trading system to let companies that exceeded targets sell credits to others.
Mandate Balanced EV Supply Across Provinces
- The mandate aimed to correct automakers' tendency to concentrate EV supply in receptive provinces like B.C. and Quebec.
- Federal policy was meant to balance supply and push manufacturers to market EVs across Canada.
Auto Industry Pressure Sank The Mandate
- Industry pressure claimed insufficient Canadian demand and weak charging infrastructure to meet the mandate.
- A deal allowing 49,000 Chinese-made EVs amplified industry concerns about subsidizing imports under the credit system.