Three respective associations representing Canada’s new-car dealers, Big 3 automakers and international automakers are banding together to end vehicle emissions by 2035.

Last week, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association and Global Automakers of Canada announced the launch of the “Road to 2035,” an initiative designed to educate Canadians on what will it take for the nation to reach those aforementioned zero-emission vehicle (or ZEV) sales targets.

The initiative details what investments and policies are needed in Canada to reach 50% ZEV market share by 2030 and 100% ZEV by 2035.

The associations say that by next year, there will be more than 130 ZEV models in Canada. But further work is needed, they say, particularly by the government.

“A central message of the new campaign is to make clear that for Canada to achieve the target for all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks sales to be zero-emission by 2035, more ambitious government action is required to:

— enhance consumer incentives

— invest in charging infrastructure

— build consumer education

— create an electric vehicle battery supply chain,” the associations said in a news release.

The campaign was set to have a live broadcast event last week titled “The Road to 100% Zero-emission Vehicles by 2035,” which was one of several educational events scheduled for the spring.

“The transition to 100 percent ZEVs sales will be a massive societal transition that will require government leadership and programs as well as a shift in societal barriers,” CADA president and chief executive officer Tim Reuss said in a news release.

“It will require federal/provincial cooperation to avoid competing and potentially counterproductive approaches,” Reuss said.

CVMA president and CEO Brian Kingston said: “Auto manufacturers are investing billions to produce electric vehicles, including right here in Canada. Ambitious government action is required now to boost consumer incentives, build charging infrastructure, and help more Canadians make the switch to electric."

Global Automakers of Canada president and CEO David Adams added: “The automotive industry is undergoing a generational energy transformation from fossil fuels to electrified transportation. This transformation will rely not only on industry, but also on governments and especially Canadians making the choice to purchase zero emission vehicles.”

More information is available on the Road to 2035 website.