Conservative MPs are calling on the federal government to scrap its electric vehicle (EV) sales mandate, accusing the Liberals of ignoring consumer demand and pushing forward with policies that are unaffordable and impractical for most Canadians.In a joint statement released Tuesday, Raquel Dancho, Shadow Minister for Industry, and Ellis Ross, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, criticized the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate as “flawed” and “ideological,” arguing it will hurt jobs, investment, and consumer choice.“The Liberals’ electric vehicle mandate is not just out of touch — it’s wrong for Canada,” the statement read. “And now it’s clear they knew it all along.”.Citing Statistics Canada data, the Conservatives said only 8.7% of new vehicle registrations in the first quarter of 2025 were ZEVs — a 23% drop from the same period last year.They also pointed to internal government documents that reportedly show Canadians overwhelmingly prefer more affordable gas and hybrid options.Starting in 2026, automakers will be required to ensure 20% of all new vehicle sales are electric, or face fines of up to $20,000 per non-compliant vehicle. The mandate ramps up each year until 2035, when the sale of new gas-powered vehicles will be banned entirely.Dancho and Ross argued the mandate ignores economic and geographic realities, especially for rural and northern Canadians. They said EVs cost about $15,000 more than comparable gas vehicles and that cold climates can reduce battery range by up to 40%, making them impractical for many drivers..The Canadian Automobile Association has also raised concerns about EV range performance in winter, and industry groups have warned the policy could lead to job losses and decreased production flexibility.“Families are already stretched thin by inflation and high interest rates,” the statement said. “Conservatives believe in policy rooted in reality – not bureaucratic experiments from Ottawa.”The party says it will work to repeal the mandate and restore what it calls affordability, practicality, and choice to Canada’s auto sector.
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