Electric vehicle adoption is rising in Atlantic Canada, but achieving the 2035 federal sales target will be challenging    

HALIFAX (September 24, 2024) – The Atlantic Economic Council’s latest report in its net-zero series, Shifting Gears Toward an Electric Vehicle Future, assesses the current pace of light-duty electric vehicle purchases and the barriers to more rapid adoption. Mass adoption of electric vehicles is the main solution to reduce light-duty transport emissions, which represent 18% of Atlantic Canada’s total emissions.  

Electric vehicle uptake is on the rise, reaching nearly 12% of new registrations nationally in 2023.  

“Prince Edward Island had the country’s fourth-highest electric vehicle adoption rate at 7.4% in 2023,” explains Lana Asaff, Senior Economist at the Atlantic Economic Council. “Newfoundland and Labrador ranked second last at 2.8%, challenged by its vast land area and low population density.” 

The federal government set regulated electric vehicle sales targets starting in 2026 that increase to 100% of new light-duty vehicles sold being electric by 2035. The Council’s report explains that it will be challenging to meet the 2035 target without increasing charger availability and substantially reducing the relative cost of electric vehicles.  

Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors estimates that Canada will need almost 680,000 publicly available charging ports by 2040 to meet electric vehicle sales targets. Our country currently has under 5% of the required amount. “Governments should target investments to develop more publicly available charging stations along major travel corridors and in rural areas in Atlantic Canada,” says Asaff.  

The average price of a new vehicle in Canada is $66,000 with a battery electric vehicle averaging $73,000. Government rebates can lower the electric vehicle price by up to $10,000 in our region.  

“While they help boost purchases, electric vehicle subsidies tend to benefit higher-income individuals and are a costly way to cut emissions, ” states Asaff.   

Battery electric vehicles typically have lower lifetime ownership costs than gas vehicles due to lower operating expenses. “Governments should help promote public understanding of the lower lifetime costs of an electric vehicle,” adds Asaff.  

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To schedule an interview, please contact: 

Atlas Embercrest 
Communications & Events
Email:   atlas@atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca
Mobile:   902-536-3616