Federal in-house poll says only 35% of Canadians support EV sales quotas
· Toronto Sun
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Only one-third of Canadians supported sales quotas for electric cars according to in-house federal polling, says Blacklock’s Reporter , after which Prime Minister Mark Carney reversed any electric vehicle mandates.
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The biggest opposition to the idea was west of Ontario, including a majority of B.C. drivers, where the Liberals had 20 seats.
“Only one in three, 35% support a sales mandate ensuring that by a future date all new vehicles sold must be zero-emission vehicles,” said a report commissioned by the Department of Natural Resources.
Otherwise, nationwide only 16% of Canadians surveyed said they “strongly supported” the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, which required that, beginning with the 2026 model year, 20% of all new vehicles sold in Canada must be zero-emission.
These quotas increased to 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
When respondents were asked, “How much do you support or oppose regulations requiring that 100% of new cars and light-duty trucks sold must be zero-emission vehicles?” 49% opposed it nationwide, 35% were in support and 12% had no opinion.
Opposition to the mandate ranged from 39% in Québec to 48% in Ontario, 49% in Atlantic Canada, 51% in British Columbia, 57% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and 63% in Alberta.
Findings were drawn between Jan. 5 and 26 from questionnaires with 3,035 people nationwide by Ekos Research Associates, who were paid $70,759 for the work by the Natural Resources department.
A week after the survey results, the Prime Minister announced a repeal of the mandate he had previously supported in the Commons and Cabinet served the required legal notice of repeal on Aug. 15.
Close to 60% said ECs didn’t do well in cold weather
The study also found Canadians remained sharply divided over the usefulness of electric cars, with 58% complaining they “perform poorly in cold weather.”
An equal number told researchers that “zero emission vehicles can’t travel far enough on a full charge.”
“Half of Canadians, 50%, worry that if too many people purchase zero-emission vehicles it will put too much pressure on the electric grid,” said the poll.
“43% also agree that charging a vehicle at home will significantly increase their monthly electricity bill.”
When asked if they had considered purchasing or leasing a zero-emission vehicle, only 34% said yes.
The number of drivers who said they “would never buy a zero-emission vehicle” under any circumstance ranged from 6% in B.C. to 17% in Québec, 20% in Atlantic Canada, 23% in Ontario, 28% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and 29% in Alberta.
“Most Canadians believe zero-emission vehicles are beneficial for the environment, but a clear majority view them as too expensive,” wrote researchers.