Canadians support more Chinese electric vehicles, poll suggests

A Leger poll found 61% of Canadians support allowing more Chinese electric vehicles into Canada, though about three-quarters of respondents reported at least one concern such as vehicle quality, effects on the auto industry, or data privacy.

Most Canadians back allowing additional Chinese-made electric vehicles into the country, according to a recent Leger poll. The government has pledged to cut a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs to 6.1 per cent with an annual cap of 49,000 vehicles. In return, China is expected to reduce retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. The poll found broad awareness of the agreement and identified several persistent worries among respondents. Key findings: - 61% of respondents supported allowing more Chinese electric vehicles into Canada, including 24% who strongly supported the move and 38% who somewhat supported it. - About 70% of people surveyed were aware of the Ottawa-Beijing agreement, with higher awareness among men and those aged 55 and over. - Roughly three-quarters of respondents reported at least one concern, most commonly vehicle quality and durability and the potential effects on the Canadian auto industry; data security, vehicle safety and geopolitical or national security questions were also named. - Canada’s tariff on Chinese-made EVs was announced to be reduced from 100% to 6.1% with an annual cap of 49,000 vehicles, and China is expected to lower tariffs on some Canadian agricultural exports as part of the arrangement. - The online survey polled 1,570 people from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 and cannot be assigned a margin of error because it was not a random sample. Summary: The poll indicates a majority of Canadians are prepared to allow more Chinese electric vehicles into the market while remaining alert to quality, industry and privacy concerns. Undetermined at this time.