Overview
- The government is considering brand-specific limits inside the 49,000‑vehicle annual quota for China‑built EVs to prevent any single automaker from dominating access.
- The first 24,500 permits run through August 31 on a first‑come basis, and Global Affairs Canada says none have been used so far.
- Tesla shifted Canadian Model 3 supply to its Shanghai plant and cut the entry price to C$39,490, with industry estimates suggesting it could claim 7,000 to 10,000 of the first permits.
- BYD, Chery, and Geely are hiring, filing trademarks, and scouting dealers in Canada, but sales await vehicle certification and new retail networks.
- Vehicles imported under this program do not qualify for the C$5,000 federal EV rebate, and the government plans to reserve half the quota for models under C$35,000 within five years.