Reaction mixed in Sask. after EV sales mandate dropped

The federal government is shifting gears on its electric vehicle strategy. And as Stacey Hein reports, the changes is drawing mixed reaction in Saskatchewan.

The federal government is hitting the brakes on its electric vehicle mandate, drawing mixed reaction in Saskatchewan.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last week that Ottawa will cancel Canada’s electric vehicle mandate, which required all new light-duty vehicle sales to be electric by 2035.

Instead, the federal government plans to introduce tougher emissions standards for the 2027 to 2032 model years, aimed at encouraging automakers to produce more zero-emission vehicles.

The Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers Association (SADA) says it welcomes the move.

“From an industry perspective, we’re thrilled with the idea of eliminating the mandates. It’s something we’ve been lobbying for since their inception,” said Larry Heggs, executive director of SADA.

Tyler Krause, a member of SaskEV, says the new plan will not be as effective as the previous mandate.

“I think it’s less stringent,” Krause said. “I think they really need to crack down on the manufacturers to encourage them aggressively to move towards electric vehicles.”

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However, Krause says Ottawa’s new incentive program, offering rebates of up to $5,000 for electric vehicles and $2,500 for plug-in hybrids, could still make a difference.

“It’s still going to incentivize and encourage people in Canada to adopt the EV and ditch the gas car. So, I think it’ll be effective,” Krause said.

SADA also supports the rebates, saying higher sales can help drive down prices over time.

“It’s going to help drive that type of EV sales and, maybe not completely electric vehicles in our marketplace, but it will certainly help with sales,” Heggs said.

To qualify for the rebate, vehicles must cost $50,000 or less and be built in a free trade partner country. There is no price cap for Canadian-made electric vehicles.

Rebates are highest this year and will scale back annually until the program ends after 2030.

The federal government is also putting $1.5 billion toward building more charging stations across Canada.

“I think we definitely need more charging stations in Saskatchewan,” Krause said. “We’re still missing a lot of support in those rural communities.”

SGI data shows 2,939 fully electric vehicles were registered last year, more than four times the 2021 total.

SGI also reports 19,121 hybrid electric vehicles were registered, more than triple the number recorded in 2021, though it could not specify how many were plug-in hybrids.

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