Media Contacts

Jimmy Smith

Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Premier
jimmy.smith@gov.bc.ca

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Media Relations
250 208-6183

Backgrounders

What people are saying about investments to decarbonize B.C.'s commercial vehicle sector

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy –

“Many B.C. businesses are showing leadership in emissions reduction and accelerating the transition to cleaner technologies by replacing emissions-heavy gas-powered commercial vehicles with zero-emission vehicles in their day-to-day operations and across the shipbuilding industry. Through the CleanBC Roadmap, our government is helping businesses make the switch by providing targeted financial supports to help drive innovation and adoption, and lower costs to industry.”

Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure –

“Decreasing trucking industry emissions and encouraging more efficient goods movement are crucial parts of our CleanBC commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation by a third by 2030. Our upcoming Clean Transportation Action Plan will build strong and resilient infrastructure that supports safe travel and goods movement that goes hand in hand with a net-zero future for all British Columbians.”

Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation –

“Innovation is how we propel our province and our economy forward, as we work to create a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem that makes a real difference in the day-to-day lives of British Columbians. With the introduction of the 2022 ZEVs, this important investment in new charging and hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure across the province is a crucial step forward for the continued growth of B.C.’s innovative ZEV sector.” 

Derek Ollmann, president, Seaspan Marine Transportation –

“At Seaspan Ferries, we are proud to be considered a national leader in decarbonizing marine transportation and our investment in next generation battery-electric terminal tractors is an example of these efforts, made possible with support through CleanBC and the Port of Vancouver. Seaspan is also a Canadian leader in the use of battery and liquefied natural gas hybrid-powered ferries, and we are increasing our use of renewable fuels across our fleets by using biodiesel and renewable natural gas to minimize our fleets' greenhouse gas emissions.”

Dave Earle, president and CEO, BC Trucking Association (BCTA) –

“BCTA welcomes the government’s commitment to develop charging infrastructure at truck-only rest stops and create opportunities to adopt new technology as we work to decarbonize the commercial transportation sector.”

Merran Smith, chief innovation officer, Clean Energy Canada –

“Transportation, one of the biggest sources of climate pollution in B.C., is starting to go electric, and heavy-duty trucks are the next wave of this transformation. Leading companies are increasingly purchasing clean trucks and vans to help meet their climate and pollution goals, and to save on fuel and maintenance costs. We applaud the B.C. government for taking this important step to support companies, like Seaspan and others who are investing in increased zero-emission vehicle adoption.”

Commercial Vehicles Pilots program project list
Updated April 28, 2023

To date, the Province has contributed funding to 20 projects through the Commercial Vehicles Pilots (CVP) program:

Round 1

Seaspan Ferries Corporation

  • two battery electric vehicle (BEV) Class 8 yard tractors
  • two direct-current fast chargers (DCFC) (60 kilowatts, kW) 

Provincial funding: $172,076 from CVP and $125,000 from Low-Emission Technology Initiative Pilot Program with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Canadian National Railway

  • two BEV Class 8 drayage trucks

Provincial funding: $343,145

City of Vancouver

  • two BEV Class 7 aerial lift trucks
  • one BEV Class 8 refuse truck
  • one DCFC (power to be determined)
  • two Level 2 chargers

Provincial funding: $857,040

City of Victoria

  • one BEV fire engine
  • one portable 25kW charger

Provincial funding: $577,252

7 Generation Capital Corp. with Second Closet Incorporated

  • six DCFC

Provincial funding: $173,976

DP World

  • one fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) rubber-tired gantry

Provincial funding: $510,679

Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC)

  • four FCEV yard trucks

Provincial funding: $2,535,933

Gat Leedm Logistic Ltd. and Port of Prince Rupert

  • three BEV Class 8 trucks
  • two charging stations

Provincial funding: $914,323

Round 2

Kruger Energy

  • four BEV Class 8 trucks
  • four DCFC  

Provincial funding: $1,049,126

Canadian National Railway

  • one plug-in hybrid locomotive
  • two charging points

Provincial funding: $3,230,533

Seaforth Environmental Limited

  • one electric tugboat
  • two charging stations

Provincial funding: $747,835

Teck Resources

  • two BEV coach buses 
  • one charging station

Provincial funding: $954,583

Diversified Transportation

  • ten BEV school buses
  • ten charging stations

Provincial funding: $1,126,384

Golder Spruce Nurseries

  • one BEV wheel loader
  • one charger

Provincial funding: $147,024

Seaspan Ferries

  • retrofits and replacement of batteries on two roll-on/roll-off hybrid ferries
  • install shore power and three charging stations

Provincial funding: $2,723,982

Rowing British Columbia

  • six electric outboard motors
  • three charging stations

Provincial funding: $90,098

Whiskey Jack Transportation and Technologies (#1)

  • three BEVs, including two shuttle buses and one Class 8 truck
  • three charging stations

Provincial funding: $429,753

Whiskey Jack Transportation and Technologies (#2)

  • three BEVs, including one Class 5 bus and two Class 6 trucks
  • three charging stations

Provincial funding: $419,861

West Fraser Mills

  • four BEV forklifts
  • three charging stations

Provincial funding: $250,702

City of Vernon

  • conversion of two ice resurfacers to BEV
  • two charging stations

Provincial funding: $37,665