Sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada continued to gain momentum in May, with Statistics Canada reporting a 19.7 per cent year-over-year increase. More than 18,300 zero-emission vehicles were sold across the country during the month, highlighting the growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles among Canadian consumers.
According to Statistics Canada, Canadians purchased 190,564 new motor vehicles in May. Although overall new vehicle sales declined by 1.9 per cent compared with the same month last year, sales of zero-emission vehicles continued to rise. As a result, ZEVs accounted for 9.6 per cent of all new vehicle sales in May, compared with 7.9 per cent during the same period in 2025.
Industry experts attribute the increase to a combination of factors, including renewed federal and provincial purchase incentives, the introduction of several new electric vehicle models, rising fuel prices, and a steady expansion of Canada’s public charging network. Growing awareness of environmental issues and lower long-term operating costs have also encouraged more Canadians to switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric alternatives.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to make up the majority of zero-emission vehicle sales, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also recorded healthy growth. Demand was particularly strong in provinces with well-developed charging infrastructure and incentive programs, including Quebec and British Columbia.
Despite the encouraging growth, industry analysts say several challenges remain. Limited charging infrastructure in rural and remote communities, higher upfront vehicle prices, long delivery times for some models, and reduced driving range during Canada’s cold winters continue to affect consumer decisions. Manufacturers and governments are working to address these concerns through investments in fast-charging stations, battery technology, and expanded incentive programs.
The latest figures also indicate that demand for zero-emission vehicles has remained consistently strong over the past several months, suggesting that Canada’s transition to cleaner transportation is continuing despite broader economic uncertainty. Analysts expect sales to increase further as more affordable EV models enter the market and charging infrastructure expands across the country.
The federal government has set ambitious targets to increase the adoption of zero-emission vehicles as part of its climate strategy, aiming for all new passenger vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035. Experts believe continued government support, technological innovation, and greater consumer confidence will be key to achieving that goal while helping Canada reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move toward a net-zero economy by 2050.