Canadians Are Holding Out For Chinese EVs
Roughly 48% of Canadian new car buyers want an EV, yet nearly half of them are waiting for vehicles from China.
Plenty of Canadian car buyers are preparing to move from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones. Citing Automotive News, a September survey released by the think tank Clean Energy Canada found that 48 percent of respondents want an EV as their next vehicle. With Canada now set to admit some Chinese EVs to the market, close to half of those prospective buyers are prepared to wait for them.
Until recently, Chinese EVs faced a 100% import tax in Canada. Last January, however, Canada changed the rules, letting a limited number in under a quota system. Since then, Chinese manufacturers have been building dealer networks across the country, and buyers appear enthusiastic. The same study, carried out by Abacus Data, found that 42% of would-be EV buyers are willing to hold off on their next purchase until Chinese brands arrive. That does not necessarily mean they plan to buy only a Chinese EV, but it does suggest they would rather not commit to anything until those vehicles are on sale.
The appeal is easy to understand, since Chinese cars have earned a reputation for offering better value than mainstream automakers while packing in more technology. How much Chinese EVs will cost in Canada remains unclear, but it is expected to exceed the $15,000 or $20,000 prices they sometimes sell for in China. One of the goals behind Canada's decision to admit a quota of Chinese vehicles was to bring more affordable options to the market.
Source: InsideEVs
