Équiterre sounds the alarm: Canada is suffering from "road obesity". Vehicles are taller, wider, longer and heavier. An observation incompatible with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and electrify transport.
The appeal of light trucks - a category that includes sport utility vehicles (SUVs), crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) and pickup trucks and vans - is no longer in doubt. Consumers appreciate their versatility, the sense of security they provide and the prestige associated with them. The result? Sales are exploding: 81% of new vehicle sales between January and September 2021 were light trucks. Some automotive writers are even predicting the eventual demise of the more traditional car. Talk to sedan enthusiasts...
This phenomenon is likely to hinder the achievement of climate targets. It is analyzed from every angle in Équiterre's new report entitled Comprendre la hausse des camions légers au Canada afin de renverser la tendance. Andréanne Brazeau, mobility analyst at Équiterre, sums it up for us, live from the international climate conference in Glasgow (COP26).
Light trucks, which require more natural resources to manufacture and more energy to operate than cars, are certainly a drag on government efforts to combat climate change. But to what extent?
"Since light truck sales are increasing at the expense of more fuel-efficient vehicles, GHG emissions linked to this segment are increasing de facto," explains the expert. These emissions rose by 161% in Quebec between 1990 and 2018. And in 2020, 44.8% of these emissions were attributable to transport in the province, making it all the more important to consider the rapid decarbonization of this industry!
The popularity of light trucks is also slowing down governments' electrification efforts.
"For every electric vehicle sold in Quebec in 2019, about 11 light trucks found takers" - Andréanne Brazeau, mobility analyst at Équiterrehttps://ocmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/andreanne-03-scaled.jpg
It makes you wonder whether the success of the electrification of transport is conditional on reducing the supply of large vehicles...
Équiterre therefore shares a series of recommendations aimed at governments. "Ambitious public policies are needed to guide mobility choices," says Andréanne Brazeau with conviction.
Consumers can use their environmental values to their advantage when making a purchase. According to Andréanne Brazeau, consumers need to analyze their needs carefully before deciding to buy a new car. "Would a smaller vehicle do? Could I also consider an electric vehicle? Here are three tips to help you make an informed choice.
1. Putting the influence of advertising into perspective
The influence of advertising on the choice of a new vehicle is significant. Advertising campaigns feature SUVs dominating the environment, perched high on a magnificent mountain... A marketing practice designed to make large vehicles more attractive. And to think that, quite often, the base price without financing and fuel consumption are not even mentioned!
2. Avoid impulse buying
Before you visit a sales representative, remember that dealers have a financial interest in the increased sales of oversized gasoline-powered vehicles. Not only is the profit margin higher at this time, but customer loyalty is also a given. Electric vehicles require fewer service visits to the garage than gasoline-powered vehicles.
3. Keep to budget
According to Équiterre's study, the additional cost of purchasing a light truck compared to a standard car would be $10,000 on average. And that's not counting the additional cost of fuel and insurance! So, to combine a healthy planet with a balanced budget, opt for a little sobriety.
Is it possible to choose a car that meets your needs, without necessarily depriving yourself of a pickup for a weekend of renovations or fishing? "A number of Quebec cities now offer their residents an electric car-sharing van," she points out. In this model, the vehicle is used by the city during working hours. On the other hand, it is available to residents during certain evening and weekend hours, for a low hourly rate.
Could this idea catch on and inspire new cities? "Looking ahead to 2050, do we really want to see ever-larger vehicles threatening our living environments and contributing further to traffic congestion? It's time to act," concludes Andréanne Brazeau.
