​Langley Chamber Calls for Province to Waive 2026 EV Sales Mandate
​Langley Chamber Calls for Province to Waive 2026 EV Sales Mandate
The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is urging the provincial government to take immediate action on BC’s 2026 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales target of 26%, as set out in the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, and taking effect now as 2026 model year vehicles being to arrive in local dealerships. In a letter to Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix, the Langley Chamber makes the case that market realities on the ground and a changing national context mean BC's approach requires greater flexibility for industry.
Why We’re Speaking UpOver the past year, the Langley Chamber has been closely engaged with our members and the broader automotive sector. Local dealers and industry voices across BC have consistently raised concerns that the 2026 mandate is moving faster than the market can realistically support. Consumer demand has not yet caught up, supply chain issues persist, and the broader economic climate remains uncertain. Without adjustments to the mandate, businesses risk financial penalties, while consumers could face higher costs and fewer choices.
Advocacy from Langley
Recognizing these challenges early, the Langley Chamber authored a policy resolution in 2024 that was adopted by the BC Chamber of Commerce as a formal provincial position. That resolution called for, among other things, a review of ZEV sales targets to ensure they reflect industry realities and consumer demand, and urged government to consult closely with the automotive sector before enforcing the planned sales targets. Since then, we engaged with the Ministry directly and through the BC Chamber of Commerce.
A Changing Economic and National Context
Last week, the federal government also acknowledged the difficulty of meeting near-term EV sales targets. Prime Minister Carney recently announced that the federal “electric vehicle availability standard” will not be implemented in 2026. This pause reinforces what we have heard from our members: ambitious environmental goals must be balanced with practical, achievable, and economically sustainable strategies.
Our Call to the Province
The Langley Chamber has now written directly to BC’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Hon. Adrian Dix, calling on the provincial government to:
- Waive implementation of the 2026 ZEV sales target; and
- Immediately begin consultation with dealers, manufacturers, and consumers on revised targets and strategies that can succeed over the long term.
Read our Letter:
