Hub Podcasts Why Ottawa's top-mandate EV mandate is bad policy
Jul 25, 2025
Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, shares insights on Canada's ambitious goal for 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035. He highlights the disconnect between government mandates and market demand, pointing out the rigid policies may hinder progress. Kingston discusses the impact of differing regulations between Canada and the U.S. on the automotive supply chain, stressing the need for policy alignment. The conversation also navigates the importance of keeping consumer needs in focus while pursuing electrification goals.
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Canada's EV Mandate Overview
- Canada's EV mandate aims for 100% EV sales by 2035 with incremental targets leading up to it.
- It was introduced to ensure EV supply during global shortages but poses challenges for manufacturers.
Current EV Sales Lag Target
- Current EV sales are below 10%, far from the 20% target needed by 2026.
- Doubling EV sales in a year is impossible as the market demand isn’t there yet.
Supply Won’t Create Demand
- The government believes forcing EV supply will increase demand, but this ignores market realities.
- There is ample EV supply now, with many models and high inventory levels at dealerships.