B.C. is considering a mandate for electric vehicles — a provincial requirement that zero-emission vehicles make up a certain percentage of auto sales, such as 10 per cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. New gasoline and diesel cars could be phased out by 2040. If the proposal goes ahead, automakers would report on their sales in 2019 and meet specific targets for sales by 2020.

The government is asking for public input on a series of intention papers that include ideas like banning the sale of gas and diesel cars by 2040, using more electric buses or even ferries, and labelling homes for their energy efficiency.