Canadians can now buy Chinese EVs [LOCKED DUE TO POLITICS & INSULTING BEHAVIOR]

[Chops]

Any Canucks considering a Chinese EV now that import rules have changed?

Per Google AI etc:

“As of January 2026, Canadians can soon purchase Chinese-made electric vehicles again, following a major trade deal announced on January 16, 2026.

Previously, Canada imposed a **100% tariff** on Chinese EVs effective October 1, 2024 (on top of the standard 6.1% duty), which effectively blocked imports to protect domestic industry. This has now been reversed through a new agreement with China.

Under the deal:
- Canada allows up to **49,000 Chinese EVs per year** at the reduced **6.1% tariff** (most-favoured-nation rate).
- The quota will gradually increase to about 70,000 over five years.
- This represents roughly 3% of Canada's new vehicle market initially.
- Many of these vehicles are expected to be affordable models priced under **$35,000 CAD** (with over 50% in that range by 2030).

Brands like **BYD**, **XPeng**, **Nio**, **Zeekr**, and others are likely to enter the market soon. Experts suggest the first vehicles could arrive as early as **March or April 2026**, depending on shipping, regulatory approvals (e.g., compliance with Canadian safety standards), and dealer setups.

Note that some Chinese-built vehicles from non-Chinese brands (like certain Polestar or Volvo models) were previously affected by the tariffs, but the new deal primarily opens the door for direct Chinese brands.

This shift aims to boost EV affordability and adoption in Canada while securing lower Chinese tariffs on Canadian exports like canola. However, it has drawn criticism from some Canadian auto workers and U.S. officials concerned about competition.“

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[OB1e]

I was in California last year and no joke every other car was a telsa. Maybe 1 out of 4 here in New England. If those other companies want to come in and take elons lunch, I'm all for it.

 

[Ken L]

Not for me. Not just because of where they made but because it is an EV. We don't have the infastructure for EVs. Our community only has 2 public charging points and my house would need a total electrical upgrade to accomodate an EV.
Ironically I just got my 23 Maverick Hybrid back from service. When the deakers driver picked me up, I asked where the usual Mach E was. It ran out of charge and needs all night to recharge.
I think that the Mavericks around here would out number Teslas and other obvious EVs.

Ken

 

[Cancunbadlands]

BYD and other Chinese cars are for sale south the border as well. Canada and Mexico selling Chinese cars represents a hard impact to The US car manufacturing

 

[SafetyGuy]

Good morning

For myself, It is likely we will look at a Chinese or other manufacturer (other then Tesla...it will never be a Tesla!) EV to replace our Maverick in 4-5 years.

Plenty of time for the support base to flesh out and see what the models are and see which would fit our needs and budget.

This takes me back when Japanese autos started leaping ahead in quality of the NA junk/gas guzzling) vehicles being manufactured.

Tariffs were brought in to save NA auto making jobs and so that domestic makers could keep making junk.

We will see how things sit when the time comes, but for us, most definitely.

I still want a decent electric vehicle with a range extender, but not a big pig like a Ram etc.

So, good to see Tariffs drop and now it will be my choice what I buy, not what the NA auto industry says I am allowed to buy.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[zen_]

Commenting as an American, the only thing that would concern me with a Chinese EV right away is parts availability and long term service for the software defined aspects of the vehicle. BYD is coming into the market with the same determination that Japanese automakers had in the 80s though, and I don't think it will take them long displace other competitors as they have in LATAM, where Chinese EVs are everywhere now.

Then there's the politics on possible back doors (e.g. EV buses in Europe), but our President has already made manufacturing a political issue that led Canada down this road.

 

[Gaidheal]

My closest family is over 1600km / 1000 miles / 1760000 football fields (the short, southern ones ) away. I can do that drive in decent weather in 1 day in *ANY* ICE vehicle.

I'm not anti-EV (agnostic about origin) but I do consider them to be toys for rich townies. To me those that want them should buy them if they can afford one - I just want to be left out of it and not subsidize it or be mandated to be involved in any way.

Personally I will never own one. In my use case a hybrid is pretty much perfect and since the Maverick is the only player in the market I have one. So does my wife.

On the being Canadian thing... no impact on my thoughts on EVs, regardless of who makes it. I'd rather be annexed by the US than to buy an EV.

 

[Maverick123]

... I'd rather be annexed by the US than to buy an EV.

I ... just can't ...

FWIW gas prices here in Quebec are about $4.10 USD / gallon and electricity is $0.07 kw/h. Gas is still expensive, electricity is cheap ... Electric cars make a LOT of sense and as a result there are tons of them. I live in the country and even here they're everywhere ... Four people in my neighborhood own Lightnings and I see at least 7-8 of them on any typical 20 minute drive.

Most households have 2 (or more) cars, often they'll have 1 ICE or hybrid and 1 EV - The EV gets used for the daily commute and any short trips while the ICE is a backup or for longer trips

How the Chinese cars will be accepted depends on how safe, reliable and repairable they are. Personally I have doubts - there's a ton of Chinese e-bikes, scooters and other stuff on sale here but it's basically disposable junk; if it breaks there are no parts available so you just throw it out. That model won't work for cars

For safety I have my doubts but let's see how they perform on standardized crash tests. And battery safety? Well maybe I'd leave it parked outside

 

[KEMeyer]

Not for me. Not just because of where they made but because it is an EV. We don't have the infastructure for EVs. Our community only has 2 public charging points and my house would need a total electrical upgrade to accomodate an EV.
Ironically I just got my 23 Maverick Hybrid back from service. When the deakers driver picked me up, I asked where the usual Mach E was. It ran out of charge and needs all night to recharge.
I think that the Mavericks around here would out number Teslas and other obvious EVs.

Ken

I too was thinking Canada's climate and infrastructure might not be suitable for EV's.

 

[MaverRick]

Not for me. Not just because of where they made but because it is an EV. We don't have the infastructure for EVs. Our community only has 2 public charging points and my house would need a total electrical upgrade to accomodate an EV.
Ironically I just got my 23 Maverick Hybrid back from service. When the deakers driver picked me up, I asked where the usual Mach E was. It ran out of charge and needs all night to recharge.
I think that the Mavericks around here would out number Teslas and other obvious EVs.

Ken

We sold our MachE back to Ford mainly due to lack of confidence in the charging infrastructure for doing road trips. My Wife now has an Outlander PHEV
which we charge at home and it has plenty of range for our local driving and we only need gas for trips over 40 miles.

 

[KEMeyer]

Didn't take long for this to get political, so I won't be following it.

 

[James K]

Any Canucks considering a Chinese EV now that import rules have changed?

Per Google AI etc:

“As of January 2026, Canadians can soon purchase Chinese-made electric vehicles again, following a major trade deal announced on January 16, 2026.

Previously, Canada imposed a **100% tariff** on Chinese EVs effective October 1, 2024 (on top of the standard 6.1% duty), which effectively blocked imports to protect domestic industry. This has now been reversed through a new agreement with China.

Under the deal:
- Canada allows up to **49,000 Chinese EVs per year** at the reduced **6.1% tariff** (most-favoured-nation rate).
- The quota will gradually increase to about 70,000 over five years.
- This represents roughly 3% of Canada's new vehicle market initially.
- Many of these vehicles are expected to be affordable models priced under **$35,000 CAD** (with over 50% in that range by 2030).

Brands like **BYD**, **XPeng**, **Nio**, **Zeekr**, and others are likely to enter the market soon. Experts suggest the first vehicles could arrive as early as **March or April 2026**, depending on shipping, regulatory approvals (e.g., compliance with Canadian safety standards), and dealer setups.

Note that some Chinese-built vehicles from non-Chinese brands (like certain Polestar or Volvo models) were previously affected by the tariffs, but the new deal primarily opens the door for direct Chinese brands.

This shift aims to boost EV affordability and adoption in Canada while securing lower Chinese tariffs on Canadian exports like canola. However, it has drawn criticism from some Canadian auto workers and U.S. officials concerned about competition.“

Have at it Canada. I sure miss that country. The name is still there, but the culture is mostly gone. I think it started to disappear when they began to import the Lada during the cold war, so the Chinese electrics will just continue their course to wherever. Best of luck with it.

 

[scott1070]

Have at it Canada. I sure miss that country. The name is still there, but the culture is mostly gone. I think it started to disappear when they began to import the Lada during the cold war, so the Chinese electrics will just continue their course to wherever. Best of luck with it.

Canada doesn’t miss you

 

[Maverstang]

This was entirely predictable…

Canada originally put the Chinese EV tariffs on at the behest of the US, ostensibly to protect the integrated North American auto industry. Then the US turns around and threatens that integrated industry with high tariffs and other threats, even sovereignty. Canada has rightly concluded the US is no longer a friend and reliable trading partner, so no wonder they have to start dealing with others, including American foes like China.

Going out of our way to pick fights with Canada, of all places, does not seem very smart, especially when it results in in bringing China right to our doorstep.

 

[Chops]

Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association demands Ottawa uphold Chinese tariffs:

https://www.junonews.com/p/canadian-vehicle-manufacturers-association

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