“It’s going to be a big challenge to somehow convince consumers to take this next step without providing some peace of mind with the ability to charge outside of their home,” Rogers said.
She said consumer concerns have to be taken under consideration if Canada wants to satisfy its goal of selling all recent light-duty vehicles with zero emissions by 2035.
In December 2023, the federal government finalized its plans to progressively phase out the sale of recent gasoline cars in favor of zero-emission vehicles.
The phase-out can be gradual: 20% in 2026, increasing to 60% by 2030 and reaching 100% by 2035.
Rogers said the decline in demand for electric vehicles “definitely shows that there will be a lot of pressure to meet these goals.”
The price of electrical vehicles combined with economic headwinds like inflation and high rates of interest could also deter many automotive buyers from considering electric vehicles.
According to Canadian Black Book, the typical cost of an electrical vehicle in 2023 was about $73,000.
Meanwhile, some automakers have delayed or paused production of electrical vehicles as demand declines. Ford Motor Co., for instance, has delayed its plans to supply electric vehicles at its Oakville, Ont., plant by two years.
