The federal government’s decision to increase plug-in hybrid eligibility under the zero-emission-vehicles mandate has left some automakers short on time to get product in the pipeline that could help them meet the targets.
“For us to be able to meet consumer demands, a plug-in hybrid has a place in our lineup, so yes, we definitely would have reviewed and made different decisions,” Ricciuto said at the recent launch of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe in Sechelt, about 160 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. Ricciuto said the company’s decision to drop the PHEV for the 2024 model points to the need for better communication with the federal government on managing the ZEV journey to 2035, especially given the three-year timeframe for developing new vehicles.