Decarbonize Transportation

Support residents switching to electric vehicles and alternatives for cleaner air and better connected communities.

Decarbonize Transportation
Contents

Table of Contents

The Rationale

Why this, why now?

In 2021, vehicle transportation was responsible for 7.2% of Alberta’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To minimize these emissions, many municipalities in Alberta and jurisdictions around the world are supporting the transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) from traditional gas and diesel or internal combustion vehicles (ICE).

EVs play a crucial role in achieving a net-zero future and offer both economic and environmental advantages to municipalities and residents. Like ICE vehicles, emissions are generated during the production and transportation of EVs, including by manufacturing the battery and vehicle and through electricity production to charge EVs. However, no emissions are produced during EV operation, and plug-in hybrid EVs only emit when operating in fuel mode. Even though Alberta’s electricity is primarily fossil fuel-derived, driving an EV still produces fewer emissions than driving an ICE vehicle. As Alberta’s grid incorporates more renewables, the GHGs from EV charging will reduce over time.

Source: Visual Capitalist

EVs are an important and necessary part of the transition to net zero and provide benefits like quieter streets, improved air quality, cost savings over time, and the potential for bi-directional charging. However, local actions to decarbonize transportation should still prioritize smart land use planning that enables shorter trips, encourages active transportation, and supports public transit.

This is because simply replacing ICE cars with EVs does not build resilience or create connected, vibrant communities. Expanding EV and Autonomous Vehicle may, for example, increase Vehicle Kilometers Travelled (VKT) and lead to heavier congestion. Municipalities also have fewer levers to reduce the up-front cost of EVs, which, at present, preclude low-income residents from purchasing them. To maximize the benefits of EVs, municipalities should adopt an integrated approach to transportation decarbonization that is aligned with active transportation and transit priorities.

Vision: What does success look like?

Alberta’s municipalities have comprehensive zero-emission transportation networks that seamlessly connect communities and regions. All transportation infrastructure is designed with climate projections and equity criteria, prioritizing safety, accessibility, and resilience in a changing climate. Residents have access to widespread EV charging infrastructure and a variety of safe, convenient, and affordable active transportation and public transit options, promoting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

The Reality

Where are we today?

Who Is Responsible?

As of March 2023, there were 9,338 EVs and 43,630 Hybrid vehicles on the road in Alberta (of 3,607,449 total vehicles). The Alberta Electric Systems Operator (AESO) is forecasting EV adoption to increase exponentially, projecting that by 2043 there will be 2.8 million EVs (including buses, heady-medium-light-duty trucks, and light-duty cars).

Hydrogen is an emerging technology to replace fossil fuels as a carbon-free energy source.  In 2021, Alberta released their Hydrogen Roadmap, a pathway to building a provincial hydrogen economy, including integrating clean hydrogen at scale into the province’s energy system for use in transportation. For example, the City of Edmonton is the first city in Canada to run both hydrogen fuel-cell electric and battery-electric buses and has the first hydrogen maintenance facility in the region.

In 2022, grey hydrogen production in Alberta was estimated to be 2.0 million tons, and blue hydrogen at 0.5 million tons. Grey hydrogen is created from natural gas through steam methane reforming. It is important to note that the CO2 emissions created from grey hydrogen production are not captured and are emitted into the atmosphere. Clean hydrogen options such as blue and green hydrogen can capture/store and generate no CO2 emissions, respectively.

Federal Legislation, Programs, and Funding

The Government of Canada has committed to a mandatory 100% zero emission vehicle sales target by 2035 for all new light-duty vehicles. The commitment is part of the federal 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and has interim targets of at least 20% by 2026 and at least 60% by 2030.

Through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, the Government is investing $680 million to deploy EV chargers in various streams; in public places, on-streets, in workplaces, Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs), and for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicle fleets. The Government also provides purchase and lease incentives for new ZEVs and offers tax deductions for businesses. The Zero Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program provides $660M in incentives and encourages the adoption of ZEVs.

The Federal government has developed also a hydrogen strategy to support Canada’s ambitions of reaching net-zero emissions and becoming a frontrunner in clean and sustainable fuel technologies by 2050. The immediate need for hydrogen will be shaped by the readiness of various market applications, including heavy-duty trucks, power generation, industrial feedstock, and providing heat for industrial facilities.

Provincial Legislation, Programs, and Funding

At present, the Government of Alberta has not considered EV charging infrastructure needs for residential or commercial buildings in current legislation or regulations. Municipalities are responsible for making the addition of charging infrastructure easier in existing buildings and mandatory in new developments. There are several cities with strategies to support the uptake of EVs and EV infrastructure. For example, the City of Calgary defines EV charging stations in their land use bylaws and clarifies that signage must be provided to indicate where parking spaces are equipped with EV charging.

Alberta’s 2021 Hydrogen Roadmap aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy. The Roadmap identifies seven policy areas to mobilize hydrogen ambition. For example, building new market demand, enabling CCUS infrastructure, ensuring regulatory efficiency, codes, and standards to drive safety, and building alliances including government-to-government relationships.

The Response

What needs to happen?

It is essential to have relevant data before embarking on the local actions below. This data is a starting point for decision making and will help inform the actions that are relevant to your community.

We recommend acquiring the following data independently or with a consultant for a deeper look: 

  • Emissions Data: Use the Climate Action Explorer to understand emissions sources by sector and type and explore how the Big Moves can reduce emissions.
  • Climate Data: Use tools like Climate Data to identify historical data and future climate projections for decision making. Go further and identify the risks and vulnerabilities of future climate projections on your community.
  • Socio-Economic and Demographic Data: Understand how your community interacts with the Big Move to make equitable decisions and optimize co-benefits. Identify opportunities to engage with the community early on and often.

We recommend that municipalities work towards a Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy. A ZEV Strategy should be informed by an assessment of the community’s current and future demand and include targets for the total number and type of stations needed. It should also include incremental goals over the near, medium, and long-term to ensure continued investment as demand increases and technology evolves. Where appropriate, a ZEV Strategy can consider the local opportunity of hydrogen fuel cell cars, buses, trucks, and other medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

REFERENCE

The Local Actions

The following local actions have been identified in response to the information above, as well as best practice research, current available data related to waste in Alberta, and criteria such as how the actions reduce emissions and risk, support equity, their feasibility, and cost. These local actions may be designed and/or implemented on their own, or in combination with other community strategies and programs and are recommended for local governments to more toward low carbon resilience as efficiently as possible.

Local Action #1: Advance EV readiness in newly constructed buildings

There are no federal or provincial policies to mandate EV-ready building code regulations, meaning municipalities need to develop bylaws and policies. Currently, BC has the most local legislation to support EV infrastructure, providing example bylaws from municipalities of different sizes and geographic locations. The following interventions can be customized where necessary for the community’s context and reflect best practice research to advance EV-readiness in new buildings in Alberta.

Smart Timelines: Create communications materials for the building community and the public to increase understanding of the benefits of incorporating EV infrastructure alongside construction and renovations. As homeowners and builders evaluate how up-front costs mitigate costly future retrofits, there may be more demand for EV-ready activities in new buildings.

Build EV Literacy: Deliver engagement activities for the local building and business community to emphasize the expected growth of electrified transportation and the long-term value enhancement of building developments that include EV charging provisions.

Developer Incentives: Offer developers who comply with EV readiness requirements incentives such as expedited permitting or reduced permitting fees.

Electrified parking stalls: Leverage local parking and zoning bylaws and require a certain percentage of parking spaces at new buildings to be EV-ready. This also helps support utility distribution system planning around EVs.

EV-Ready Infrastructure: Consider EV-Ready requirements that ensure infrastructure can handle significant branch circuit load-sharing, such as 4-share per 40 A or 50 A circuit. This enables apartment and condo tenants to bypass the challenge of determining which unit pays for shared branch circuits. Details on recommendations for proposed EV-readiness requirements can be found in the City of Edmonton case study.

Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate between developers and local governments or private organizations to build joint initiatives that offer funding or resources for EV infrastructure projects.

Partner with ENGOs: Partner will the ENGO community to support EV programming. Municipalities and community partners can collaborate to access grants for EV outreach and education like Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Awareness Initiative (this program is currently closed but is expected to open annually).

LOCAL ACTION #1
Electric Vehicle Home and Worksplace Charging Study

The Electric Vehicle Home and Workplace Charging Study assessed the opportunities to accelerate the deployment of EV charging in Edmonton and Calgary. The study acknowledges the role access to home and workplace charging plays in increasing EV adoption and observes that proper management of EV charging can turn the electrification of transportation into a grid asset, rather than a liability.  Recommendations include:

  • Amend parking and zoning bylaws to require more EV ready parking spaces in newly constructed buildings.
  • Require the procurement of a permit prior to the installation of EV charging stations and setting targets for permit approval turnaround times.
  • Provide financial support for the deployment of EV charging stations.
  • Pursue comprehensive education and outreach strategies to increase awareness of EV benefits.
  • Install publicly accessible clusters of charging stations as Community Charging Hubs.
  • Develop users guides to help building owners navigate installation processes.
EV Charging Bylaws

In 2020, the City of Leduc developed a 10-year Greenhouse Gas Reduction Action Plan, for projects that produce cost savings and reduce GHGs. A noteworthy action item scheduled for 2023 is the introduction of bylaws for EV charging stations in new developments like multi-family dwellings, mixed-use buildings, and parking facilities following a certain ratio of level 2 charging stations. The policy could also require a specific ratio of level two chargers in all new city developments.

Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles

In the 2023-2026 Climate Implementation Plan, the City of Calgary outlines changing policy and bylaw to require all new residential buildings to be EV-ready and commercial buildings to be 10 per cent EV-ready with 90 per cent conduit/partial readiness. Currently, the City of Calgary defines EV charging stations in their land-use bylaws and clarifies that signage must be provided to indicate public parking spaces equipped with EV charging. However, the bylaws do not appear to clarify whether EV charging spaces count toward minimum parking requirements for various land uses or whether the city enforces EV-only parking for these spaces.

Upgrading Minimum Standards for EV Readiness

The City of Medicine Hat approved changing the existing 100-amp minimum service to 200-amp minimum services for all new developments. Construction of 200-amp residential lots can save individual residential property owners additional upgrade costs. Providing higher amperage services for all properties supports electrification choices for homeowners.

EV Charging Requirements

In September 2022, the City of Kamloops revised a zoning bylaw to mandate EV charging requirements in all new residential developments. Starting from January 1, 2023, all new residential buildings that are built in Kamloops must have at least one parking space per unit to support Level 2 EV charging. If the building is more than three storeys high, the developers must complete an EV-capable plan that ensures the electrical capacity of the building is sufficient to accommodate EV charging before constructing it.

Local Action #2: Expand local and regional EV charging infrastructure

Charging concerns are among the top barriers to EV adoption. Local barriers related to increasing home and work charging include limited electrical capacity, lack of parking, cost allocation challenges in MURBS, a lack of standard process, and a failure to obtain permits in Single Family Homes. Residents and building owners may also face cost barriers, particularly if an upgrade to a transformer is needed. For regional travel, EV drivers are limited by slow charging speeds, high cost, charger inaccessibility, and charging variance. The following interventions can be customized where necessary for the local and regional context and reflect best practice and research to support local and regional EV charging infrastructure in Alberta.

Of note, certain Albertan municipalities are working through the advocacy process to request that Clean Energy Improvement Programs (CEIP) legislation be updated to allow EV charging financing. At present, using CEIP to install EV charging stations is not considered eligible as CEIP upgrades must reduce on-site energy usage and EV chargers increase usage.

Community Outreach and Engagement: ⁠Inform the public about where they can charge their vehicles locally and regionally and use visuals like interactive maps. Educate the community about Federal incentives for EV purchases.

Charging Performance Requirements: Charging requirements vary significantly based on factors such as daily driving distance, temperature extremes, available charging time, and charging efficiencies. Educating the public about the minimum charging performance required, especially in MURBs, can help build support for EVs.

Lead by Example: Incorporate EVs into municipal fleets, update relevant bylaws and regulations to support EV adoption, and leverage purchasing power to drive EV market growth. Deploy publicly accessible Level 2 charging stations on municipal properties locally and regionally. The SouthGrow Electric Vehicle Charging Program provides funding for municipalities.

Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy: Ensure your municipal ZEV Strategy includes goals, targets, and timelines to demonstrate your commitment to decarbonizing transportation.

Educate about Incentives: Communicate opportunities for businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to access financial support to install public or fleet EV charging stations via the SouthGrow Electric Vehicle Charging Program.

Incentives for Private Businesses: Provide financial incentives like grants for private businesses that install EV charging infrastructure in strategic regional locations. Offer reduced permitting fees or fast-track approval processes for businesses implementing publicly accessible EV charging.

Public and Workplace Charging: Implement EV charging station incentive programs to promote charging station growth in various market segments, including public and workplace charging.

Discounts and Priorities: Provide free or discounted parking for EVs during specific times or offer priority parking spaces for EVs.

E-Mobility Network Strategy: Adopt an E-Mobility Network Strategy to ensure continued investments in EV charging over the short and long term. 

New Investments in Infrastructure: This may include:

  • Installing Level 2 public charging stations to demonstrate leadership and increase visibility of ZEVs within your community and provide workplace charging to residents. 
  • Exploring the feasibility of a DC Fast Charger to advance tourism and economic development objectives and provide quick on-the-go charging to residents. 

Zoning Regulations: Update zoning regulations to encourage charging in both public and private facilities.

Regulations for Workplace Charging: Implement regulations that require or encourage employers to provide workplace charging facilities.

Utility Partnerships: Explore utility partnerships to reduce the cost burden of deploying charging infrastructure and install charging in strategic locations. For example, ATCO in partnership with FLO (EV Charging Network), Canadian Tire, and Natural Resources Canada completed the first public charging corridor in Alberta along Highway 2, with a station in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary. ATCO’s next EV charging project is in southern Alberta, installing 20 new fast chargers across the FLO network to connect with B.C. and the U.S.

Regional Collaboration: Collaborate with neighbouring municipalities and regional authorities to develop connected EV charging networks.

Tourism: Work with tourism industries to install EV chargers at popular tourist destinations, provide EV-friendly accommodations, and offer rental services. These partnerships can help support a regional EV network.

Car Sharing: Coordinate with senior governments and other local governments to promote vehicle-share programmes, offering free parking spaces for car-sharing services (in both private and public institutions), and pursuing funding for infrastructure to support the electrification of the car-share fleet (e.g., charging stations). To promote further EV car sharing, local governments can update bylaws and create agreements to allow car-share vehicles to end trips and have stopovers at prime parking locations, as is done in the City of Edmonton.

LOCAL ACTION #2
Lowering Barriers for Moderate-Income Families

The City of Burlington, Vermont, owns and operates its electric utility. The city offers customers a $1,200 rebate on the purchase or lease of a new zero-emissions vehicle and an additional $600 for moderate-income customers.

SAUVéR Car Sharing System

With small populations and limited resources, small municipalities need innovative solutions to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use. In 2016, Société d’innovation en environnement (SIE) and YHC Environnement partnered on a successful pilot project with several Quebec municipalities: Plessisville, Nicolet, Bromont, Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Rivière-du-Loup, and Sainte-Julienne. The project introduced electric vehicle-sharing to optimize underutilized municipal fleets. Studies showed that a large portion of vehicles in these municipalities, especially Plessisville, was used less than 3.5 hours a day and for trips under 40 kilometers. The pilot involved adding 1-2 electric vehicles to each municipality’s fleet (10 vehicles in total), accessible to employees, residents, and partners. Specialized software tracked usage patterns and trip data, while 10 charging stations were set up across the municipalities. By 2019, the project had reduced the combined fleet emissions by 59.5 tonnes of CO2e, while also positively impacting attitudes towards electric vehicles and car-sharing. This successful model can be a reference for other local governments.

Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Network

Peaks to Prairies is a community-driven initiative supporting EV travel to and within Southern Alberta. Community Energy Association facilitated the project from ideation through to project managing a broad outreach and education campaign and the installation of 20 fast charging/Level 2 stations throughout the region. In addition, Peaks to Prairies supports the renewable energy sector in the region by powering 19 of the 20 stations with 100% renewable energy through renewable energy certificates sourced from southern Alberta projects (solar, wind or hydro). Through a competitive RFP process, ATCO became the long-term owner and operator of the equipment, and Quebec-based FLO the network operator.

EVenture Northwest Alberta Network

EVenture Northwest AB is a community-driven, collaborative program seeking to build a Level 3 (DC Fast Charger) EV charging network across west/central Alberta. It is a multi-year initiative supported by an Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from nine different local governments across the region. The project, facilitated by the Community Energy Association, will create a Level 3 EV charging station network, and provide connectivity across the region, to neighbouring regions such as B.C. and major urban centres including Edmonton and Calgary. 

 

Local Action #3: Expand electric and hydrogen bus fleet and charging infrastructure

It is estimated that an e-bus emits approximately 38 to 44% less CO2 emissions than its diesel counterpart based on current electricity generation in Alberta. E-bus emissions are likely to continue to decrease as the carbon intensity of Alberta’s electricity grid declines, while the cost of diesel is expected to grow. Hydrogen buses offer similar benefits – they are quieter than diesel buses, efficient, produce no exhaust-pipe emissions, and have a range of up to 480 km. The following interventions can be customized where necessary for the local and regional context and reflect best practice and research for expanding electric bus fleet and charging infrastructure in Alberta.

Employee Training Programs: Develop training programs for transit agency staff to ensure they are equipped to operate and maintain electric and hydrogen buses.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Edmonton’s Electric Bus Feasibility Study noted that a large majority of customers expressed a preference for clean, quiet, e-buses and almost two-thirds of respondents indicated they were willing to pay a premium to ride them. While concerns of reliability are front and center, the same study found that battery e-bus reliability was at an acceptable level for bus operations and maintenance, with e-buses being at least as reliable as diesel buses. Use information like this to launch public awareness campaigns and address any misconceptions to build public support for the transition.

Pilot Programs: Launch pilot programs to test the feasibility and performance of electric and hydrogen buses in specific routes or areas before scaling up the fleet. Use the results to gather data and make informed decisions about expanding the electric and hydrogen bus fleet.

Funding and Grants: Seek federal and provincial grants, as well as private sector partnerships, to secure funding for the procurement of electric and hydrogen buses and charging infrastructure. For example, Emissions Reductions Albera provided $4.6 million to Strathcona County and the City of Edmonton to purchase and test two hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Long-Term Electric/Hydrogen Bus Strategy: Considerations include:

  • Setting a goal from which to procure electric and hydrogen buses (e.g., from 2025).
  • Feasibility studies of technology and financing options (e.g., consider vehicle range, route prioritization, total cost of ownership, procurement model, product availability, etc.).
  • A pilot program with staggered introduction of buses and infrastructure upgrades (e.g., consider bus reliability, effective range, driver feedback, charging time, passenger response, develop internal familiarity and knowledge, etc.). 
  • Evaluation of electricity grid capacity to e-bus routes and infrastructure upgrades accordingly.
  • Continued performance analysis.

Focus on High-Priority Routes: Prioritize high-ridership routes for the introduction of electric and hydrogen buses to maximize environmental impact and increase visibility. Consider updating routes that pass through environmentally sensitive areas or low-income communities with a high demand for sustainable transportation options.

Zoning and Land Use Planning: Update zoning regulations to accommodate the installation of charging infrastructure at transit facilities. Plan for sufficient space and electrical capacity in transit depots to support the charging needs of electric buses.

Public-Private Partnerships: Explore public-private partnerships to finance and operate regional electric and hydrogen bus fleets. Engage with private sector partners to invest in charging infrastructure and maintenance. For example, On It Regional Transit has commuter buses connecting Cochrane and Okotoks to Downtown Calgary and Banff and Canmore.

Engage with Manufacturers: Engage with electric and hydrogen bus manufacturers to explore options, negotiate favorable terms, and stay informed about advancements in technology.

LOCAL ACTION #3
Electric Bus Fleet

Through the federal government’s Zero Emission Transit Fund, the City of Regina is set to receive $26.1 million to purchase 26 new electric buses and upgrade infrastructure. The project is expected to cost $52 million, and the city will contribute the remaining $26 million. Since the buses do not run 24 hours a day, the 340km range will work well. The city expects to receive its first electric bus in 2025 and transition the entire 123 bus fleet by 2039. The charging will be done completely at the garages, which will be updated between 2023 and 2025 including installing bus chargers, backup generators and other necessary equipment.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses

The Alberta Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit (AZEHT) project, funded by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), introduces two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) in collaboration with municipalities in Alberta. These buses are set to operate in Edmonton and Strathcona County in 2023. The project aims to demonstrate FCEB technology under Alberta’s varied climate conditions, with an initial hydrogen supply from Suncor Energy. It not only provides hands-on experience but also supports a transition to a hydrogen economy, promoting emission reductions, economic growth, and job creation. This collaboration has achieved several milestones, including the operation of Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and the establishment of hydrogen infrastructure in Alberta.

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