Zero-emission vehicle sales in Canada jump 55% in August as market share hits 13%

Canada’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market continued its recovery in August 2026, with sales climbing more than 55% compared to the same month last year, according to new figures released by Statistics Canada.

A total of 22,716 new ZEVs were sold during the month, accounting for 13.0% of all new vehicle sales nationwide. That’s a substantial improvement from August 2025, when zero-emission vehicles represented just 8.8% of the market.

The increase comes as Canada’s EV market adjusts to changing government incentives. Earlier this year, the federal government introduced its new Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), offering rebates of up to $5,000 on eligible electric vehicles. The program has helped bring several models back within reach of buyers, particularly when combined with manufacturer discounts.

According to Statistics Canada’s latest report, released October 15, overall new vehicle sales reached 174,611 units in August, an increase of 4.9% year-over-year. Sales revenue grew even faster, rising 8.8% compared to August 2025.

Zero-emission vehicles significantly outpaced that growth, with sales increasing 55.1% year-over-year. Their market share also climbed 4.2 percentage points, reflecting a stronger performance than the broader automotive market.

The gains weren’t limited to electric vehicles. Passenger car sales increased 14.2%, while truck sales rose a more modest 3.5%.

It’s important to note that Statistics Canada’s ZEV figures include both fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, meaning the 22,716 total doesn’t represent battery-electric sales alone.

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