Amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Standard

Two regulations governing the zero-emission vehicle standard (ZEV standard) are being revised. They will be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec on June 23, 2026, and will be subject to a 30-day public consultation ending on July 23, 2026.

However, the administrative versions of the draft regulations are already available for consultation, and any interested person may already submit their comments.

The comments received will be taken into account in preparing the final version of the regulations, which will then be submitted to the government for approval, in accordance with the parliamentary calendar.

The proposed amendments mainly concern the following parameters:

• The number of credits granted according to technology types and the years covered;
•  The annual increase in credit requirements;
• The 2035 target, including the credit requirements and the types of eligible vehicles.

 Proposed parameters

The main proposed amendments are as follows:

Non-plug-in hybrid vehicles would be eligible for credits, for a limited time.

The credit value for plug-in hybrid vehicles would increase according to the vehicle’s electric range. The value for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) would remain at one credit.

Starting with the 2025 model year, ZEV credits would be valid at all times. Credits for hybrids (plug-in and non-plug-in) would have an expiry date, which would encourage the transition to all-electric vehicles. 

The increase in credit requirements would be more gradual over time.

Reference documents:

Draft Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting the application of the Act to increase the number of zero-emission motor vehicles in Québec in order to reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions (application regulation) – available June 23

• Administrative version
• Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) (in French)

Draft Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting the limit on the number of credits that may be used by a motor vehicle manufacturer and the confidentiality of some information (ministerial regulation) – available June 23

• Administrative version

To take part in the public consultation

Any person interested in submitting comments on these draft regulations is asked to send them in writing before July 23, 2026.

By email: consultations_normevze@environnement.gouv.qc.ca 

By mail:
Direction de l’expertise en décarbonation et efficacité énergétique 
Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs 
675 boulevard René-Lévesque Est, 3rd floor, Box 31
Québec, Québec G1R 5V7

The comments received will be taken into account in preparing the final version of the regulation.