Electrification Challenges: 4 Things To Know If You’re in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Training
Canada is among many countries seeking to implement widespread electrification in the transportation sector. For example, we’re aiming for a 12-megatonne reduction in carbon emissions from vehicles by 2030. In addition, since EVs still represent a small portion of vehicle sales despite significant growth in recent years, Canada is striving towards a 10% EV share in sales by 2025.
These goals may be attainable, but there are challenges ahead for policymakers and industry leaders alike. As a future automotive professional, particularly if you wish to specialize in hybrid and electric vehicles, you may be wondering what the future of electrification looks like, what challenges stand in the way, and how Canada is facing them. Keep reading to find out!
1. Consistent Policies Are Needed for Widespread Electrification
As far as we’ve come with carbon emission reduction, widespread EV adoption will require policy interventions across provinces and across sectors with clear targets. Successful implementation of electrification policies will be targeted, including stronger carbon pricing signals and involving large-scale integration across demand and supply. At the moment, this isn’t what carbon emissions reduction policies look like in Canada, and there may be a reason for this.
2. Each Region Requires Its Own Unique Low-Carbon Solutions
Each province is subject to its own decision-making bodies, and with time, different regions within Canada will have their own energy systems. This brings up another challenge in accommodating the widespread adoption of EVs. As you’ll learn in greater detail as a hybrid and electric vehicle mechanic, though successful electrification in Canada will require unified, consistent policies, another challenge for implementation will be to address each Province’s unique challenges. Some provinces like British Columbia are far ahead of provinces like Saskatchewan in terms of reducing their transportation carbon emissions.
3. More Infrastructural Support Is Needed for Widespread Adoption
Range anxiety is a major hindrance for car buyers considering hybrid vehicles and EVs. That being said, when you understand energy storage systems after hybrid and electrical mechanic training, you’ll find that there have been many advancements in terms of increasing the driving range of EVs thanks to innovative systems like fuel cells. These render EVs far more efficient and convenient, requiring less charging time for more driving range.
However, when public charging is required, many are still concerned that there aren’t enough stations to support the number of EVs that the Canadian government wants to see on the road. Cities like Vancouver are quickly implementing policies to make charging stations more available, but of course, more rural areas and smaller municipalities will likely implement those changes at a slower pace.
4. Prices Remain Higher for EVs, But You May Notice a Gradual Change After Automotive School
Though operation costs for hybrids and electric vehicles are actually lower than gasoline-powered vehicles, retail prices for EVs remain higher, keeping many drivers away. Change in this area is on the horizon, with more market competition emerging. While any drastic change within an industry, like widespread electrification, comes with its challenges, innovation and common goals make it inevitable. If you’re interested in learning more about the hybrid and electric vehicle market, learn the basics in our introductory course at ATC Montreal.
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