Repeal EV availability mandate
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to repeal the federal ZEV mandate, tie future targets to independent readiness reviews, protect choice and affordability, and ban taxpayer bailouts. The government responds it removed the 2026 target.
Why we would sign this petition
- Repeal prevents imposing rigid quotas that petitioners say could raise ownership costs, trigger expensive grid upgrades paid by ratepayers, and risk job losses in the auto sector.
- Requiring independent readiness reviews before new targets would align mandates with grid, charging and supply‑chain capacity, reducing the risk of shortages or unequal access.
- Protecting choice and affordability addresses range and infrastructure limits for rural, remote and work vehicles, ensuring policies accommodate varied transportation needs.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Repeal could slow emissions reductions from the transport sector by removing a tool designed to accelerate EV adoption and associated climate benefits.
- Without mandated targets, market uptake may be slower, delaying scale‑up that can lower EV prices and expand model availability for consumers.
- The government already removed the 2026 target and is reviewing the standard; revising targets after review could address concerns without full repeal.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled Canada’s federal Electric Vehicle Availability Standard compels at least 60% of new sales by 2030, and 100% by 2035 to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs); Independent testing shows winter conditions cut EV range by up to 40%, especially affecting rural, remote and long-distance drivers; Canada has about 33,800 charging stations, but will need 200,000+ by 2030 to support mandated uptake; The Parliamentary Budget Officer finds EV ownership costs must drop ~31% to meet the 2030 target; Provincial electric grid operators project this will add tens of terawatt-hours of demand, requiring costly upgrades paid by ratepayers; Automakers and dealers warn rigid quotas risk job losses, lost competitiveness, and delayed investment in Canada's auto sector; A one-size-fits-all mandate is unfair to rural Canadians, farmers, and tradespeople who face unique infrastructure and utility needs; EV adoption should be driven by affordability, consumer choice and competition, not quotas; and Ottawa suspended the 2026 EV quota, a clear admission that the mandate is economically harmful, technologically premature, and disconnected from the realities facing workers, consumers, and industry. We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Repeal the federal ZEV sales/availability mandate; 2. Tie any future EV targets to independent grid, charging, and supply-chain readiness assessments; 3. Ensure consumer choice and affordability, including accommodations for rural and remote use and work vehicles; 4. Adopt policies that improve EV affordability and competitiveness, ensuring consumer choice rather than government-imposed quotas; and 5. Guarantee that future vehicle policies do not depend on taxpayer-funded subsidies or bailouts.
Government response
Response by the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Signed by The Honourable JULIE DABRUSIN 1. Repeal the federal zero-emission vehicle sales/availability mandate? The Electric Vehicle Availability Standard is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. It is part of a suite of federal measures that support zero-emission vehicle adoption. The standard currently sets increasing sales targets for new light-duty vehicles and peaks in 2035. The gradual transition to zero-emission vehicles is key to helping Canada achieve a low-carbon economy. Zero-emission vehicles will reduce carbon emissions, are more affordable to fuel and maintain, improve health outcomes, and reduce health care costs by ensuring cleaner air for communities. While the transition to zero-emission vehicles is important, there is significant short-term economic uncertainty. Since the introduction of the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, Unites States tariffs have had a major impact on the auto industry. In response, on September 5, 2025, the Government of Canada announced the removal of the 2026 target and announced a review of the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard to ensure it reduces emissions, remains effective, and does not place undue burden on automakers. As part of this review, a 60-day consultation was also held. The Government will announce next steps on the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard as part of its overall approach to the auto sector in the coming weeks. 2. Tie any future Electric Vehicle targets to independent grid, charging, and supply-chain readiness assessments? The Environment and Climate Change Canada conducted analysis around the impact of the targets on the electricity grid in the 2023 Regulatory Impact Assessment Statement contained in Canada Gazette, Part 2, publication. The Electric Vehicle Availability Standard review also included a 60-day consultation which permitted auto manufacturers to share their perspectives of the auto sector on supply chain readiness. Similarly charging infrastructure vendors were also provided an opportunity to share their views. Response by the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Signed by Mike Kelloway The Government of Canada understands that the higher purchase prices of electric vehicles, in addition to limited consumer choice in rural and remote areas, remain key barriers to greater adoption. As such, the Government continues to explore options to support consumers and businesses in purchasing these cleaner vehicles, including those living and working in rural and remote areas. The Government is continually evaluating new ways to accelerate the electric vehicle. This includes measures aimed at increasing consumer confidence in electric vehicles, such as consumer education and awareness initiatives. The Government is also supporting the deployment of charging infrastructure and working to expand consumer choice by increasing the availability of affordable models in the Canadian marketplace. These efforts support Canada’s objective of fighting climate change and strengthening Canadian competitiveness. Canada’s approach to electric vehicle policy must balance affordability for Canadians, long-term competitiveness, environmental objectives, and fiscal prudence. To that end, the Government continues to assess alternative approaches to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles in a manner that is both impactful for Canadians and fiscally responsible.