As the calendar flips to July, a long-awaited federal policy will kick in aimed at cutting the amount of pollution from cars and trucks, while trying to keep pump prices affordable.
In short, no significant tax increases for the next two years. After that, we see increases from 2025 onwards up to:
Environment and Climate Change Canada estimates a price increase at the pumps by 2030 of anywhere between six and 13 cents per litre for gasoline. That’s on top of the 37 cents the carbon tax could add to a litre of gasoline by 2030, as well as all of the other federal and provincial (and some municipal) taxes charged on the purchase of gasoline and diesel.
This is all fine, and helps push biofuels while we transition over to electric from gasoline. Though, whenever I bring this up someone always has to say something to the effect of “what about the farmers?” I grew up on a farm; I sympathize. That said, even John Deere is electrifying their tractors, and battery capacities will keep going up.
Also, when you drive past a farm and you see those huuuuuge tanks up on stilts? Those are filled with fuel. They also happen to be why a large portion of farmers own a shotgun. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a lot of farmers who would embrace electric equipment just to get rid of those.
That said, even John Deere is electrifying their tractors, and battery capacities will keep going up.
It’s important to remember, that while pushing into electric is good, we cannot electrify our way out of this mess. There are not enough resources on the planet to make electric vehicles for everyone and every situation. Things like lithium are limited in abundance.
I’m not bagging on the electrify movement, just pointing out a very serious limit to this solution.
