Canada's readiness for Chinese EVs is mixed.

The federal government will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to be imported annually at a 6.1% tariff, and experts say Canada’s existing charging network and power grid can generally absorb that increase while gaps remain in remote areas and multi-unit housing.

Canada will allow up to 49,000 electric vehicles from China to be imported each year at a tariff of 6.1 per cent, down from 100 per cent. That change is expected to lower import costs and increase the availability of some Chinese EV models. Analysts and researchers say the number is modest relative to overall auto and EV sales and should be seen in context. They also say charging infrastructure and the grid can generally handle the added vehicles, though some specific gaps remain. Key facts: - The federal quota permits up to 49,000 Chinese EVs per year at a 6.1% tariff instead of 100%. - The government said that level represents about 3% of annual auto sales and roughly 19% of the 264,000 zero-emission vehicles sold in Canada in 2024. - The government announced that 50% of the quota would be reserved for vehicles with an import price under $35,000 by 2030, and it has not specified whether cheaper models will be prioritized in the next four years. - Dunsky modelling and a 2025 report for Electric Mobility Canada projected strong EV growth to 2040, with a low-growth scenario still expecting four in five light-duty vehicles sold in 2040 to be zero-emission. - As of Jan. 26 there were 38,739 public EV chargers at 14,445 stations across Canada, and experts said this existing infrastructure should absorb a few tens of thousands more EVs per year while highlighting gaps in remote communities and in apartment and condo buildings. - Interviews with utilities indicated the transition is a significant change but one utilities are preparing for, and that clearer market signals help justify grid investments. Summary: The quota change is likely to modestly increase EV availability in Canada while leaving most of the country’s broader EV trajectory driven by other production sources and policies. Next steps depend on market entries and government policy decisions such as future quota details and whether availability standards resume; Undetermined at this time.