Electric vehicle sales in Canada fell 39.3% in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, according to Statistics Canada. The decline marks the sharpest drop among all vehicle types, with only 8,826 zero-emission vehicles sold nationwide.
Despite a new federal rebate initiative aimed at reversing the trend, consumer adoption remains sluggish. Industry analysts point to high upfront costs and charging infrastructure gaps as key barriers.
Mark Beavis, a contractor using an electric truck for his business, says he’s saved over $10,000 in fuel since switching from gas-though his model didn’t qualify for Manitoba’s EV rebate program.