Canada effectively bans ICE vehicle sales from 2035

The Canadian government advanced the date for the country to only sell fully-electric light-duty vehicles to 2035 (from the previous target of 2040) and the mandatory target may require automakers to switch to producing only EVs. The new ruling — effectively a ban on ICE vehicles — comes as an addition to the federal government’s $600 million budget to subsidise every new EV sold, and the government sees the step as critical to meeting its climate targets. Canadian automakers, however, have questioned the lack of details on how the industry is expected to meet the target, especially in light of the fact that EVs only accounted for 3-4% of all auto sales in the country at present. 

Gujarat releases EV policy to boost sales

The Indian state of Gujarat released its EV policy to boost sales figures throughout the state, and aims to have at least 200,000 EVs plying on the roads by 2025. These will include 70,000 electric three-wheelers and 20,000 electric cars, and the policy mandates that every housing association must furnish a no-objection certificate to allow the installation of charging stations. The state government will also provide a per kW subsidy of Rs10,000, that over the four years of the policy period is expected to cost the government up to Rs8.7 billion ($117 million). 

According to the policy, 528 charging stations will also be set up across the state under the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, and the addition of 200,000 new EVs is expected to eventually curtail 600,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2025. 

India will launch institution to specifically fund EV manufacturers and businesses

The Indian Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways announced that the central government would specifically set up an institution to finance EV businesses across India. The announcement was meant to reflect the government’s high priority in promoting e-mobility solutions in the country and would include incentives for EV manufacturers — the details of which are still awaited — and that solar energy would also soon be employed to charge the vehicles’ battery packs. 

Mercedes-Benz unveils trucks as quiet as air conditioners 

Mercedes-Benz Trucks unveiled its eActros line of ultra-quiet electric trucks that reportedly have an operational sound footprint of a mere 60dB — the same as a running air conditioner. This would make the trucks suitable for night deliveries, presumably within European city limits, that have strict noise restrictions after certain hours. The trucks will also be capable of hauling 40 tonnes of payload and travel for up to 400km on a single charge on their mammoth 420kWh battery packs. Mercedes says the eActros line will go into production in the second half of 2021. 

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