ARE CANADIANS LESS INTERESTED IN EVs?

By Éric Descarries

According to a J.D. Power Canada survey of some 3,000 respondents conducted last March and April, over half of Canadian consumers are less interested in purchasing an electric vehicle (EV). Only 10.9% are really interested in such a vehicle, and around 17.6% would consider it. The survey reveals that 19.6% would be slightly interested in an EV, while 52% say they’re not interested!

In a previous J.D. Power survey in 2022, the results were very different, with 47% of respondents interested in the idea of buying an EV.

The new results are based on already well-known concerns, such as the fear of running out of fuel, the limited recharging infrastructure and the high price of EVs. On the other hand, the same survey reports that just over half of Canadian consumers have never actually taken a ride in an EV.

Plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles accounted for 12% of registrations in Canada in the last quarter of 2023.

However, for the first three months of 2024, inquiries for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle purchase rebates climbed to 41,101, a 135% improvement over the 17,513 inquiries during the same period last year, according to Transport Canada figures.