Canadians Are Holding Out For Chinese EVs

Around 48% of Canadian new car buyers are looking for an EV but almost half of them are holding out for China's offerings.

Photo by: BYD

By: Nico DeMattia

Oct 15, at 8:30am ET

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There are plenty of Canadian car buyers looking to make the jump from internal combustion to electric vehicles. According to Automotive News, a September survey published by the think tank Clean Energy Canada showed that 48 percent of respondents want an EV as their next car. And now that Canada will be allowing some Chinese EVs into the market, close to half of those potential customers are willing to wait for them.

Previously, Chinese EVs would have faced a 100% import tax in Canada. But last January, Canada changed that, allowing some in on a quota basis. Since then, Chinese manufacturers have been setting up dealer networks across Canada, and it seems customers are excited about it. According to the same study, conducted by Abacus Data, 42% of would-be EV buyers are willing to wait until Chinese brands go on the market before buying their next car. That doesn't mean they're holding out to solely buy a Chinese EV, but it does mean that they don't want to make any decisions until they're available.

It's easy to see why, as Chinese cars have gained a reputation for being a far better value than mainstream automakers, while offering more technology. Exactly how much will Chinese EVs cost in Canada? We don't know for sure, but it will be higher than the $15,000 or $20,000 price points they sometimes fetch in their home market. Part of Canada's rationale for letting in a quota of Chinese vehicles was to introduce more affordable options to the market.

Photo by: Geely

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Several Chinese automakers have confirmed plans to enter the Canadian market soon. Those include Chery, Geely, BYD, and Dongfeng.

Only 10.8% of Canadian new car buyers went electric in the first half of 2026, but that number might improve once more affordable Chinese offerings hit the market. How much more affordable they actually are will likely determine how successful they are, as comparable prices might force customers to lean toward more well established brands. But this study at least shows that a significant number of Canadian customers are at least willing to give these news brands a try.