A new survey has revealed that more Canadian drivers are open to an electric vehicle for their next car purchase. The interest is being driven by rising fuel prices and incentives.
The study, JD Power 2026 Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC), was conducted by JD Power. It assessed the possibility of replacing their current vehicle with an EV. The result showed that 34 percent of responders are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider a battery-powered vehicle. This was up from 28 percent reported in 2026.
It is interesting that this is the first year-on-year increase since JD Power started tracking the figures in 2022. In previous years, interest had dipped or remained flat.
The rising interest in EVs in Canada coincides with the launch of the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), which replaces the zero-emission iZEV program. Studies have already shown that EVAP influences car purchase decisions, with 25 percent of new buyers and 57 percent of car owners falling into the “very likely” or “somewhat likely” categories.
Other factors, however, are at play, including fueling costs and driving range. According to J.D. Ney of JD Power Canada, “A combination of steadily rising fuel prices and the return of tax credit programs like EVAP are spurring rising interest in EVs in Canada. But for most shoppers, the deciding factors remain everyday practicality: how far they can drive on a charge, whether charging is reliably available when needed and how EVs perform in Canadian winters. Even with available incentives, these issues will need to be addressed before many hesitant shoppers seriously consider an EV.”
Meanwhile, across the border in the US, interest in EVs remains significantly higher, with the majority of car buyers (59%) “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider buying an EV next.
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