VICTORIA, B.C.: In a letter to BC Premier David Eby, Conservative Leader John Rustad is calling on Premier David Eby to work with the Official Opposition to fully repeal British Columbia’s electric vehicle mandates and restore consumer choice.

In the letter, Rustad urges the Premier to stop forcing British Columbians into expensive mandates that no longer have evidence, are unaffordable, or reflect public demand. The letter notes that EV sales have stalled, supply chains have tightened, costs remain high, rural and northern infrastructure is inadequate, and the NDP’s approach has become disconnected from the needs of working families.

“For years, your government misled the public that EV targets of 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035 were realistic, despite soaring costs, incomplete charging infrastructure and families struggling to buy expensive and inconvenient electric vehicles during an unprecedented affordability crisis.

Rustad’s letter calls on the Premier to act immediately and confirms that the Conservative Caucus is prepared to move fast.

“Conservatives are ready to pass legislation in a single day to scrap all provincial EV targets, mandates and all associated requirements to restore full consumer choice for British Columbians.”

Rustad says the government’s recent retreat from its 2035 electric vehicle mandate proves the policy has collapsed under its own weight. But he adds that partial adjustments do not fix the problem or reverse the affordability pressures created by the NDP’s push toward mandated adoption.

The letter stresses that forcing a single technology path on consumers is irresponsible, and that transportation policy must reflect affordability, geography, climate, and market conditions across the province.

“British Columbians do not need another costly, top-down NDP experiment. They need choice. They need affordability. And they need a government that respects the realities of rural, northern, and working families,” Rustad said.

Rustad has asked the Premier to respond and confirm whether he will support immediate repeal.

“We can fix this right now. The only question is whether the Premier will work with us or keep doubling down on a mandate that has already failed,” said Rustad.

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You can read John Rustad’s letter to Premier Eby here.

Media Contact:
Ryan Painter
Communications
Ryan.Painter@leg.bc.ca