5 big takeaways from the 2025 Everything Electric Vancouver

The Everything Electric show is taking over the Vancouver Convention Centre from September 5–7, 2025, and the timing couldn’t be more charged. Billed as the world’s largest consumer-focused clean energy and electric vehicle expo, the event spotlights everything from EV test drives and e-bikes to home energy systems and expert panels.  

But the buzz isn’t just inside the convention halls. On opening day, Ottawa announced it is pausing Canada’s 2026 zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, giving automakers breathing room amid tariff-driven pressures. The news underscores what the show’s many attendees already know: the transition to electrification is as much about policy and economics as it is about technology and lifestyle. 

 

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So, what does that mean for B.C.’s EV future—and what stood out on the ground at this year’s expo? Here are the key takeaways. 

1. Canada and B.C.’s path to the EV revolution dream is not linear 

Canada’s EV market has made remarkable strides in just a few years—new electric car sales climbed from about 2 percent in 2019 to 20 percent in 2024. But that exponential growth is now facing a temporary stall. According to Joanna Kyriazis, director of public affairs at Clean Energy Canada, the pause of federal and provincial rebates, combined with shifting signals from the U.S., has left many consumers “waiting on the sidelines.” Sales have dipped, but Kyriazis stresses that this is a momentary slowdown rather than a reversal. Once policy clarity returns, she expects EV adoption to bounce back.

2. EV adoption looks different at the provincial and local level

Canada’s electrification challenge isn’t just national—it’s hyperlocal. Carly Johansson, climate leadership specialist at the Community Energy Association, emphasized that geography, climate and distance all shape how communities approach EV adoption. B.C. alone has seven distinct climate zones, and in northern communities such as Burns Lake or Terrace, residents may drive more than 500 kilometres just to reach Prince George. 

That scale creates real pressure points for charging infrastructure. While urban drivers in places like Metro Vancouver benefit from a growing network, rural and remote communities remain underserved. Johansson argued that Canada’s EV conversation needs to reflect these regional differences—acknowledging both the barriers in remote areas and the rapid pace of technological improvement that is steadily making EVs viable for more Canadians each year.

3. B.C. leads the country—despite its own gaps

British Columbia continues to rank among Canada’s leaders in EV adoption, second only to Quebec. Last year, one in four new car sales in B.C. were electric, compared with one in three in Quebec. Ontario, despite being the country’s most populous province and home to its auto sector, lags well behind at about 7 percent. Strong provincial policies—like EV sales requirements and consumer rebates—have given B.C. and Quebec a clear head start. 

Charging infrastructure is another key advantage. While B.C. still has underserved regions, its coverage is far stronger than provinces like Alberta where drivers often need to plan trips around sparse charging options. That relative edge in infrastructure has helped keep B.C. ahead of most provinces, even as federal and provincial incentives have been paused, and national momentum has slowed.

4. A stronger used EV market opens the door for more buyers

The resale market for electric vehicles is emerging as a crucial entry point for low- and middle-income Canadians who can’t afford a new model, as Jack Scarlett—a UK-based automotive writer—explained. The first wave of leased and company cars is now arriving on secondhand lots, making EVs more accessible to a wider demographic. 

Concerns about battery life are also easing. Early models raised fears that high mileage would slash capacity, but improved thermal management and charging systems mean today’s EVs hold up far better. As Scarlett noted, a well-used electric car with 200,000 kilometres can still have “a ton of life left in it.” Together, these factors make the used EV market an increasingly important driver of adoption.

5. Shutting out China means fewer affordable EVs for Canadians

One of the biggest drags on Canada’s EV adoption right now is price. With federal and provincial rebates paused and only a handful of models under $40,000—the Fiat 500e being the lone affordable option—consumers face limited choices. According to Kyriazis of Clean Energy Canada, Canada’s decision last year to follow the U.S. in applying a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made EVs has left the market without access to the budget-friendly models that are available in Europe and the Global South. Those cars could fill a crucial gap, particularly compact vehicles aimed at middle-income buyers. 

From a European perspective, Scarlett added that the value of Chinese EVs isn’t just their affordability—it’s the competitive pressure they put on legacy automakers. In the UK, he noted, car manufacturers openly admit that “China is the only thing we think about” when setting costs and timelines. For Canadian consumers, that kind of competition could mean faster innovation and lower prices, but for now, high tariffs are keeping those options out of reach.