Only 31% of Canadians support the federal zero-emissions vehicle sales mandate, while 46% want the policy scaled back or eliminated, according to a Leger survey released Wednesday by three automotive industry associations. The poll surveyed more than 1,500 Canadians between Nov. 21 and Nov. 24.
The federal mandate requires zero-emission vehicles to make up 20% of new light-duty vehicle sales starting in 2026, rising to 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
“Canadians want support to transition to electric vehicles, not unrealistic government mandates that can’t be met,” said Brian Kingston, president and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association.
The survey arrives as Statistics Canada reported zero-emission vehicles accounted for 10.2% of new vehicle sales in September, down 43.3% from the same month in 2024 when 18.2% of sales were electric vehicles.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in September that the government would pause the mandate for 2026 model year vehicles and conduct a 60-day review. The review period has extended beyond 60 days without a public update. The federal government ended its $5,000 rebate program in January after exhausting allocated funds.
The CD Howe Institute projects zero-emission vehicle sales will reach 270,000 units in 2026, falling 110,000 vehicles short of the mandate’s 20% requirement based on expected total sales of 1.9 million vehicles.
British Columbia announced in November that it would revise its targets after the province’s minister of energy and climate solutions told reporters the 100% target for 2035 and 90% interim target for 2030 are no longer realistic.
Read: British Columbia Abandons 2035 Electric Vehicle Sales Mandate
The poll found Canadians identify affordability, limited driving range, and inadequate charging infrastructure as primary barriers to electric vehicle adoption. Industry associations called for consolidating federal and provincial mandates into a single national standard.
Clean Energy Canada maintains the mandate provides flexibility through its credit system and grace periods. The organization’s September 2025 polling found 45% of Canadians remain inclined to purchase an electric vehicle as their next car, with higher interest in Quebec at 55% and British Columbia at 53%.
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One Response
Forget about the cash offered, build the charging infrastructure and they will come.