Electric Mobility Canada’s response to the federal government’s announcement regarding the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard
September 5, 2025
EMC supports the federal government's decision to uphold the EV Availability Standard and acknowledges the challenges posed by President Trump's policies, which are affecting the global economy and the automotive sector.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
Electric Mobility Canada’s response to the federal government’s announcement regarding the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard
MONTREAL – Electric Mobility Canada (EMC) supports the federal government’s decision to uphold the EV Availability Standard and acknowledges the challenges posed by President Trump’s policies, which are affecting the global economy and the automotive sector. While the current standard provides sufficient flexibility to address these impacts effectively, EMC understands the government’s decision to launch a review process.
That said, the 130,000 Canadians and thousands of small and large businesses currently working in the transportation electrification sector in Canada are also impacted by commercial tensions and need predictability in order to facilitate short- and medium-term investments.
For months, mixed signals from federal and provincial governments have contributed to making the situation even more unpredictable, which cannot continue for long without having a significant impact on these workers and businesses.
The EV Availability Standard delivers crucial benefits:
- It creates hundreds of thousands of jobs: According to a report published in 2025 by EY³, at least 130,000 Canadians already work in the transportation electrification industry. In a scenario where the standard remains in place, EY forecasts approximately 600,000 jobs in the transportation electrification industry by 2035. Without this standard and other related policies that support the industry, that number could be cut by almost half to approximately 360,000.
- It saves billions of dollars in healthcare costs: Based on Health Canada data1, the economic impact of TRAP is approximately $9.5 billion per year. According to a report by The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), the standard would help save approximately $90 billion by 2050.2
- It saves thousands of lives: According to Health Canada1, traffic related air pollution (TRAP) caused 1,200 premature deaths in 2015. A report published by TAF in 2023 demonstrates that the standard would help prevent approximately 11,000 premature deaths by 2050.2
EMC urges the government to keep EV targets ambitious and to bring back important incentive programs such as the currently paused iZEV rebate program and the ZEVIP funding program for EV charging stations. “While Canada is providing the industry temporary relief from regulatory compliance, Electric Mobility Canada urges the government to swiftly confirm a clear path forward. The EV Availability Standard remains essential for ensuring predictability and supporting investments across the broader EV ecosystem”, says Daniel Breton, President & CEO of Electric Mobility Canada.
Misinformation has been clouding the conversation around the EV Availability Standard. Here are the facts:
- Claims that the 20% target for 2026 is impossible to reach are false. In reality, vehicle manufacturers could have used credits from EV sales of model-years 2024 and 2025 towards the 2026 target, so none of the automakers would have had to sell 20% of EVs in 2026.
- There is no financial penalty for non-compliance in the current EV Availability Standard. Those who are claiming that the regulation represents a $20,000 tax on gas cars are misleading Canadians.
EMC remains firmly committed to the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard for the value it brings to the industry, for market predictability, for the attractiveness of investments in the automotive sector that have already created tens of thousands of jobs, but first and foremost, for the health of Canadians.
Electric Mobility Canada
Electric Mobility Canada Electric Mobility Canada is the unifying and authoritative voice for the transition to electric transportation across Canada. Founded in 2006, EMC is the national industry association that enables and accelerates the transition to sustainable electric mobility through advocacy, collaboration, education, and thought leadership, with the ultimate goal of creating a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for all Canadians.
Media contact
Anna Schuett
Communications Director
Electric Mobility Canada
anna.schuett@emc-mec.ca
(514) 787-2757