B.C. auto makers praise rescinding of Ottawa’s Zero-Emission Vehicle mandate

Ottawa has scrapped its Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate, reversing a signature climate policy that would have required automakers to steadily increase electric vehicle sales through 2035.

First announced in December 2022, the regulation required that 20 per cent of all new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada this year be zero-emission, ramping up to 60 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035. The mandate was formally dropped on Feb. 5.

In its place, the federal government introduced consumer incentives of up to $5,000 for battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrid models.

The New Car Dealers Association of BC welcomed the repeal, arguing the targets were misaligned with consumer demand and infrastructure readiness. President and CEO Blair Qualey called the move a “significant and positive course correction,” saying mandates without sufficient market support risk driving up costs that would ultimately be passed on to consumers.

But public opinion on the policy remains divided.

A November 2025 survey by Leger found that 50 per cent of Canadians supported keeping the zero-emission mandate in some form, while 25 per cent said it should be scrapped altogether. The same survey found 58 per cent of respondents cited high upfront costs as a significant barrier to purchasing an EV.

Earlier polling from Abacus Data in June 2025 showed 66 per cent of more than 2,500 respondents supported Ottawa’s mandate.

Clean-energy advocates argue that affordability concerns strengthen the case for policy support, not weaken it.

“Transportation is the second biggest expense for households after housing,” said Trevor Melanson of Clean Energy Canada. “Lower-priced EVs would unlock considerable savings for drivers both on day one and for years to come.” The Simon Fraser University-based think tank has argued that maintaining strong policy signals is key to accelerating Canada’s transition to electric vehicles.