Transportation

Transportation is consistently the largest source of emissions in the Yukon. We have several initiatives in place to:

increase the uptake of zero emission vehicles;
increase the use of public and active transportation;
travel more efficiently and;
reduce the carbon intensity of fossil fuels.

The Yukon Climate Risk Assessment found that building the resilience of the Yukon’s transportation infrastructure is a priority. Interruptions and damage to the Yukon’s roads and highways can affect all facets of Yukoners’ lives, including:

transportation of food;
connections among communities;
operation of businesses and;
travel for essential services such as healthcare.

These charts show our progress in:

reducing our transportation emissions; and
ensuring transportation infrastructure is resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Electric vehicles

If we switch from gas or diesel to electric or other zero-emissions vehicles, we'll reduce emissions and improve air quality. We’re aiming to add 4,800 zero-emissions vehicles to Yukon by 2030. To increase zero-emission vehicle purchases, we’re:

offering a rebate for zero-emissions vehicles;
offering rebates for electric-vehicle chargers; and
installing public fast-charging stations across the territory.

This graph shows the increase in zero-emissions vehicles on our roads.

Flo fast charger with Haa Shagóon Hídi in Carcross in the background

Fast-charging stations

We’re investing in fast electric-vehicle charging stations to support Yukoners to purchase and use electric vehicles. There are now charging stations located in every road accessible community in the Yukon. Explore the Yukon's current fast charging stations.

Climate resilient transportation infrastructure

Extreme weather and precipitation threaten our transportation infrastructure. We're taking steps to ensure our transportation infrastructure is resilient to climate change impacts. Specifically, we are studying the impacts of permafrost thaw, fire and floods and identifying actions to address risks. This graphs describes progress made in mapping transportation corridors at risk of permafrost thaw.

There are currently 28 actions that support transportation initiatives. To learn more about these actions and where we’ve made progress, scroll through the tabs below.

Complete

Action T3: Provide a rebate to Yukon businesses and individuals who purchase eligible zero emission vehicles beginning in 2020.
Action T5: Provide rebates to support the installation of smart electric vehicle charging stations at residential, commercial and institutional buildings in collaboration with Yukon’s public utilities beginning in 2020.
Action T6: Require new residential buildings to be built with the electrical infrastructure to support Level 2 electric vehicle charging beginning on April 1, 2021.
Action T11: Provide rebates to encourage the purchase of electric bicycles for personal and business commuting beginning in 2020.
Action T15: Begin a pilot project in 2021 to test the use of short-haul medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles for commercial and institutional applications within Yukon.
Action T16: Starting in 2022 and continuing on an annual basis, ensure that YG staff have efficient driving training to reduce emissions from ongoing operations. Revised
Action T17: Expand the Government of Yukon’s video and teleconferencing systems and require employees to consider these options when requesting permission for work travel by 2022.
Action T18: Implement new policies to enable Government of Yukon employees in suitable positions to work from home for the longer term by 2022.
Action T22: Incorporate fuel efficiency into purchasing decisions for Government of Yukon fleet vehicles beginning in 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs.
Action T26: Establish a geohazard mapping program for major transportation corridors by 2022, and continue to monitor prioritized sections to enable geohazard prediction and support maintenance planning. Revised

In progress

Action T1: Work with local vehicle dealerships and manufacturers to establish a system by 2024 to ensure zero emission vehicles are 10 per cent of light duty vehicle sales by 2025 and 60 per cent by 2030. Revised
Action T2: Continue the electrification of the Government of Yukon's vehicle fleet and by 2025 develop vehicle lifecycle management practices that incorporate emissions or greenhouse gas emissions reductions into vehicle replacement decision-making. Revised
Action T4: Continue to install fast-charging stations across Yukon to make it possible to travel between all road-accessible Yukon communities by 2027 and work with neighbouring governments and organizations to explore options to connect Yukon with BC.
Action T7: Draft legislation by 2024 that will enable private businesses and Yukon’s public utilities to sell electricity for the purpose of electric vehicle charging.
Action T9: Require all diesel fuel sold in Yukon for transportation to align with the percentage of biodiesel and renewable diesel by volume in leading Canadian jurisdictions beginning in 2025.
Action T10: Require all gasoline sold in Yukon for transportation to align with the percentage of ethanol by volume in leading Canadian jurisdictions beginning in 2025.
Action T13: Develop Yukon-specific design guidance and a plan for active transportation facilities by 2024 to guide investments in active transportation infrastructure into corridors near communities.
Action T14: Update the Government of Yukon’s heavy-duty vehicle fleet by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs.
Action T19: Change how and where Government of Yukon employees work by 2024 through creating healthier and more sustainable office spaces that reflect the reality of increasingly digital, flexible and collaborative work. Revised
Action T20: Develop and implement a system by 2023 to coordinate carpooling for Government of Yukon staff travelling by vehicle for work within the Yukon.
Action T21: Develop and implement guidelines for Government of Yukon’s fleet by 2023 to ensure appropriate vehicles are used for the task at hand, including prioritizing zero-emission vehicles and other low-carbon transportation options
Action T23: Expand virtual health care services by 2023 with a focus on equitable access in order to improve access to healthcare while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Revised
Action T24: Continue to operate the Yukon Rideshare program to make carpooling and other shared travel easier.
Action T25: Complete a climate change vulnerability study of the road transportation network by 2023 to inform the prioritization of improvements to existing infrastructure being impacted by climate change.
Action T27: Analyze flood risk along critical transportation corridors at risk of flooding by 2023.

Ongoing

Action T8: Continue to run public education events and campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles and how they function in cold climates.
Action T12: Continue to support municipalities and First Nations to make investments in public and active transportation infrastructure.
Action T24: Continue to operate the Yukon Rideshare program to make carpooling and other shared travel easier.
Action T28: Continue to conduct climate risk assessments of all major transportation infrastructure projects above $10 million, such as through the federal Climate Lens assessment.

New in 2023

Action T30: By 2025 review the electric vehicle regulatory regime and create a regulatory roadmap for Yukon zero emissions vehicle legislation.
Action T31: Initiate a set of pilot projects by 2025 to test the use of renewable fuels for transportation, electricity generation, and heating in private and Government of Yukon assets.
Action T35: By 2025, develop a 20-year transportation network plan that incorporates emissions reductions and resilience in planning for future changes in transportation demand
Action T34: By 2025, undertake a climate adaptation study to understand the risks imposed on the Yukon's aviation infrastructure, operations, and maintenance from climate change.

Back to Our Clean Future actions

See what you can do with transportation

What you can do

Menu