Drives down direct emissions: Accounting for 17% nationally, but up to almost a third of emissions in provinces without oil and gas sectors. Canada can’t hit its targets without EVs and heat pumps.
Reduces fossil fuel demand: Private vehicles were responsible for more than 25% of global oil use in 2023, and an uptake in electric vehicles in China is already reducing global oil demand growth
Spurs technology development: For every EV, heat pump, rooftop solar panel, or battery built, sold, and deployed, we drive down the cost of the next one.
Grows clean investment: In advanced economies with strong policies, households have accounted for nearly 60% of clean energy investment growth since 2016.
Creates a network effect: Each adopter increases the likelihood that their neighbours will also adopt a technology, and there is some evidence that one technology can be a gateway to others.
Expands our electricity resources: Electro-technologies that produce, store, or manage power—like rooftop solar, home batteries, and EVs—can be managed collectively by utilities as a single “virtual power plant” to help reduce costs and the build-out required to meet electricity demand