Five lower-priced EVs Canada could get under the new China deal

The deal announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney would cut tariffs on Chinese EVs to 6.1% from 100% and allow up to 49,000 imports, with half required to have an import price below $35,000; the article highlights five models — Mini Cooper SE, Polestar 2, Volvo EX30, BYD Seagull and Zeekr X — that could potentially meet lower price points.

Canada announced a deal reported as reducing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and permitting a limited number of imports. The agreement was described as lowering the tariff rate to 6.1% from 100% and allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs into Canada. Half of those imports are reported to need an import price under $35,000, a level below current entry EV prices in Canada. Key details: - The tariff on Chinese EVs is reported as dropping from 100% to 6.1% and up to 49,000 vehicles would be allowed to enter Canada. - Fifty per cent of those imports are described as needing an import price below $35,000, while current cheapest EVs in Canada start around $40,000. - The article lists five models that could potentially fit lower price points: Mini Cooper SE, Polestar 2, Volvo EX30, BYD Seagull and Zeekr X. - Some brands named (Volvo, Polestar, Mini, Tesla) already sell vehicles in Canada and previously imported China-built models before tariffs began. - Practical limitations noted include dealer and service availability for brands without a Canadian network, exemplified by BYD, which currently has no Canadian dealers. Summary: The reported tariff change and import allowance could open opportunities for lower-priced EVs in Canada and is expected to encourage Chinese joint-venture investment, according to the article. Whether the 49,000 imports will be Chinese-branded models or China-built versions of established foreign brands remains unclear. Undetermined at this time.