On the recent Clean & Prosperous Institute Study Mission to Québec, we were impressed with the climate commitment demonstrated by everyone we met. Already Québec has the lowest per capita carbon emissions in Canada – half the national average. And they are motivated to bring their emissions down further, guided by nine principles that could just as easily apply to our ambitions in Washington state.
- Electrification and the fight against climate change are major levers for economic development and the creation of wealth.
- Electrification and the fight against climate change must maximize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across Québec while taking advantage of the flexibility offered by the carbon market.
- Electrification and the fight against climate change are grounded on the efficient use of energy and resources.
- Everyone is responsible for electrification and the fight against climate change.
- Electrification and the fight against climate change must be implemented with a positive approach that highlights the gains to be made and generates the motivation we need to get there.
- Electrification and the fight against climate change objectives will need to be integrated into government orientations, policies and strategies.
- For both electrification and the fight against climate change, the government intends to act pragmatically, rigorously, and effectively, using a science-based approach and prioritizing the results to be achieved while accounting for the future climate and the realities of the various areas that fall under the scope of this project.
- The government’s vision of electrification and the fight against climate change is not limited to Québec. The Plan must ensure that Québec contributes beyond its borders.
- Electrification and the fight against climate change must ensure a just transition for society as a whole and factor in the specific realities of each of Québec’s regions.
Like Washington, transportation in Québec is the number one contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Like Washington, leaders in Québec recognize that zero-emission trucks are a smart climate investment.
Their 2030 Plan for a Green Economy plans to invest 42% of its budget in the transportation sector, and includes setting a standard for heavy-duty vehicles. The 2030 Plan encourages Québec municipalities and businesses to buy fully electric, Québec-made trucks and buses. Toward that end, the government uses the E-FLEET fleet electrification optimization model from Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors.
As of 2025, all new buses that are acquired by public transit companies and covered by government financial assistance will be electric. The government intends for electric buses to account for 55% of all city buses in Québec by 2030.
Specific initiatives will also be put in place to accelerate the acquisition of electric school buses. The government intends for electric buses to account for 65% of all school buses in Québec by 2030.
Jeff Turner, Dunsky’s Director of Clean Mobility, briefed the delegation in Montréal, highlighting the long-standing support of the provincial government for accelerating EV adoption, including purchase incentives for Medium- and Heavy-duty Vehicles: up to $200k (Federal) + up to $175k (Québec) per vehicle.
Harold Coté, Director General in the Office of Climate & Energy Transition, said “The transport sector is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions, so electrifying it is critical. Electrification also serves as an opportunity for Québec to develop a dynamic and innovative industrial ecosystem around electric vehicles, batteries, and recharging infrastructures to emerge as a leader in the field.”
The Clean & Prosperous Institute delegation got a first-hand look at that dynamic and innovative industrial ecosystem, beginning with a stop at Canada’s largest trucking expo, ExpoCam. There we saw battery-electric semi trucks from Volvo and Kenworth.
On the outskirts of Montréal we toured Volvo’s Novabus assembly plant, where 1,229 electric buses will be built thanks to government funding that will allow ten public transportation organizations to begin the conversion of their bus fleets to become 100% electric.
Like Québec, Washington can support development of its dynamic and innovative industrial ecosystem while reaping the benefits of decarbonization. Electric trucks are manufactured in Renton by Kenworth, while dozens of other Washington manufacturers are part of the EV supply chain.
Kenworth and Volvo were members of the Clean & Prosperous Washington 2022-2023 Medium/Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Working Group that helped secure a $120 million appropriation for MHD ZEV incentives during the 2023 legislative session. Clean & Prosperous Washington is now convening the 2023-2024 MHD ZEV Working Group, to work toward the design of purchase and infrastructure incentives, advise the state’s EV Council on the Transportation Electrification Strategy, and help implement MHD incentives.
Another lesson from Québec is the power of partnerships — in particular the partnership between power provider Hydro-Quebec and the Provincial government of Québec. Together they have made installation of EV charging infrastructure a priority, leading to the installation of over 1,400 curbside Level 2 chargers.
Here in Washington, power provider Seattle City Light has partnered with King County to implement the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan, toward the goal of 100% electric bus and light duty vehicle fleets by 2035. According to Climate Cabinet, Seattle City Light helps King County with comprehensive project modeling, technical expertise, and charging station design.
Because The road ahead for clean trucks is the fastest route to a clean economy, both Québec and Washington are paving the way with investments in incentives and infrastructure. Driving those investments are leaders from the Clean & Prosperous Institute Study Mission delegation who made constructive connections with their counterparts in Québec.
