EV INTEREST WANING IN CANADA
Canada’s shift to electric vehicles is slowing as consumers weigh cost, charging reliability and confidence, according to new data released by Ernst & Young. The firm’s annual Mobility Consumer Index, released March 19, found 30% of potential EV buyers in Canada reconsidered or postponed purchases amid broader economic and geopolitical uncertainty, while preference for internal combustion engine vehicles rose from 44% to 58% year over year. Battery electric vehicle preference fell from 15% to 7%, with hybrids holding at 17% as buyers looked for a middle ground between fuel savings and familiar refuelling.
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CANADA’S NEW AUTOMOTIVE STRATEGY SIGNALS ACCELERATED EV GROWTH
Canada’s new Automotive Strategy signals accelerating EV growth, with targets of 75% EV sales by 2035 and 90% by 2040. More than $97 million has been committed to charging infrastructure, fleet programs and EV education, alongside a $2.3 billion EV Affordability Program offering incentives of up to $5,000 for eligible vehicles. Stronger emissions standards will replace availability mandates, keeping electrification on track. For collision repair facilities and insurers, rising EV volume means increased demand for high-voltage expertise, battery diagnostics, OEM-compliant documentation and ongoing technician training.
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BMW TEAMS UP TO BUILD HIGH-TECH FACILITY
BMW Group and Encory GmbH have opened a battery recycling facility in Salching, Germany, aimed at returning production scrap directly to the manufacturing cycle. The Cell Recycling Competence Centre will mechanically dismantle residual material and battery cells without chemical or high-temperature treatment, using what the companies call “innovative direct recycling.” At full capacity, the site is expected to process roughly 50–90 metric tonnes annually, with recovered materials reused in pilot production. Encory will operate the facility, which is expected to employ about 20 people.
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VINFAST VF8 QUALIFIES FOR $5,000 FEDERAL INCENTIVE
The VinFast VF8 is now eligible for the Government of Canada’s $5,000 federal EV incentive under the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program as of Feb. 16, 2026. Combined with provincial programs, total rebates can reach up to $18,000, bringing the SUV’s starting MSRP to $35,070 with eligible credits applied. VinFast positions the midsize electric SUV as a premium model backed by a 10-year or 200,000-kilometre warranty. The rebate marks another step in the brand’s Canadian expansion within the competitive EV market.
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