Sarah McBainSenior Analyst

Sarah is a senior analyst with the transportation program and is based in the Vancouver office. She has a Master of Resource and Environmental Management (Planning) and a Bachelor of Sustainable Business from Simon Fraser University.  As a graduate student, Sarah was a member of the Sustainable Transportation Research Team (START) and she helped Pembina complete our All Hands on Deck report. Sarah also studied at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University in Sweden.

Sarah is coming to us from the International Energy Agency as a consultant in the Energy Technology Policy Division, where she led research for the IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2022 and other energy technology papers such as the Global Fuel Economy Initiative and Tracking Clean Energy Progress. 

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys mountain biking, hiking and camping.

Contact Sarah McBain

cell: 604-561-6515 • email: sarahmc@pembina.org

Sarah McBain's Recent Publications

Canada’s Pathway to Net-Zero for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses The drive to clean transportation in 2040

Publication Nov. 1, 2023- By Carolyn Kim, Adam Thorn, Chandan Bhardwaj, Sarah McBain

The Pembina Institute’s ZeroX2040 strategy provides guidance on how Canada can get on track to transition the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector to zero-emission vehicles and offers actionable policy recommendations that will enable the federal government to achieve its climate goals.

Integrating equity is critical to achieving a low-carbon transportation system Climate action in the heavy-duty vehicle industry will need to adopt a diversity, equity and inclusivity lens to be successful

Blog Aug. 10, 2023- By Sarah McBain

Women, visible minorities and Indigenous peoples continue to be severely underrepresented in the heavy-duty vehicle industry, which is also one of the biggest emitters of carbon pollution in the country. To successfully switch to a low-carbon transportation system, outreach initiatives will need to integrate equity solutions to ensure broad uptake of zero-emission vehicles is possible for all communities.

British Columbia’s Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero- Emission Vehicles 2023 Consultation Paper Pembina Institute comments and recommendations

Publication Aug. 8, 2023- By Chandan Bhardwaj, Sarah McBain, Adam Thorn

The Pembina Institute supports the B.C. government’s intent to legislate requirements that will advance the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. However, the key features of the proposed policy do not make sufficient allowance for the variability in market readiness to transition to zero-emission among trucks and buses, nor does it adequately address the need for more charging and refuelling infrastructure.

Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness & Education Towards inclusive and equitable outcomes in a decarbonized MHDV sector

Publication June 16, 2023- By Sarah McBain

Transitioning the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) is central to driving down transportation emissions and reaching Canada’s climate target. This report offers insights into how equity, diversity and inclusion can be incorporated into ZEV awareness and education projects. The report also identifies opportunities for ZEV awareness and education outreach within underrepresented and underserved groups in this sector.

Recommendations for a national sales mandate for zero-emission light-duty vehicles Submission to Environment and Climate Change Canada

Publication March 22, 2023- By Adam Thorn, Sarah McBain

Unless the federal government enacts climate policies intended to speed up the transition from fossil fuels to electricity in the transportation sector, Canada cannot achieve its climate commitments. These four recommendations will help jumpstart the switch from gas to electric passenger cars with minimal economic disruption.