Ottawa to scrap EV mandate and launch $1.5 billion EV infrastructure fund

Sources say Prime Minister Mark Carney will announce a national automotive strategy that would scrap the electric vehicle sales mandate in favour of new emissions and fuel-efficiency standards, revive consumer rebates, and create a $1.5 billion EV infrastructure fund.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a national automotive strategy tomorrow. Sources say the plan would scrap the electric vehicle sales mandate and replace it with new vehicle emissions and average fuel-efficiency standards. The strategy is reported to revive consumer rebates for EV purchases. The government is also expected to launch a $1.5 billion EV infrastructure fund. Known details: - Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a national automotive strategy the following day, according to government and industry sources who spoke off the record. - The plan is reported to scrap the EV sales mandate, which would have required automakers to ensure a certain percentage of new vehicle sales are electric. - In place of the mandate, the government is expected to introduce average fuel-efficiency standards and new vehicle emissions standards for automakers. - The consumer rebate program, which was paused last year after its funding pool of more than $3 billion ran out, is reported to return. - Ottawa is reported to be launching a $1.5 billion fund for EV infrastructure. Summary: If confirmed, the measures would shift federal policy from a sales quota toward regulatory standards and targeted spending on rebates and charging infrastructure. Officials paused the EV mandate in September and launched a 60-day review; the next reported step is the public announcement of the national automotive strategy tomorrow. Undetermined at this time.