Canada Killed the Electric Car

There are two electric car manufacturers in Canada – and the government has killed them both. Both were killed by a change to a key Transport Canada regulation that limited their speed to 40 km/h, and thus the ability to drive them on city streets. The British Columbia (BC) company has been sold to a company in Pakistan, and the Ontario company that manufactured the cars in Quebec recently had to quit for the same reason. Zenn’s cars “had been hailed as a mini-revolution in the industry.”

Is this the Avro Arrow all over again? Canada comes up with world-leading technology, and our government caves to corporate pressure to kill off what could be an entry for Canada into the new green economy of the future?

The story of the car manufacturers is carried on CBC. Rick Mercer, popular Canadian satirist, profiled the Zenn and lampooned the federal government – the Ministers of Transport and Environment never visited the factory. “The three-door hatchback, made in St-Jérôme, Que., can reach a speed of 40 kilometres an hour and has a range of up to 80 kilometres.” They sold for ~$12,000.

The companies shut down because the government won’t let them sell in Canada – even though they can sell in the United States, which has the same standards. And they’re selling in other countries, and the cars have won awards, and the cars cost thousands less than fossil fuel burning cars. The government is preventing Canadians from being able to buy Canadian designed and manufactured cars – that are less expensive and much better for the environment.

No wonder Mr. Harper says Canada can’t meet Kyoto – he’s doing what he can to sabotage our chances, and to keep us forever subservient to foreign corporations.