Ottawa paid out $190 million in federal EV rebates this year as sales slowdown emerged
Canadians claimed over $190 million toward electric vehicle purchases through June, though EV sales have dropped to 9.6 per cent of new vehicle sales from a peak of 12 per cent.
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Canada has paid out more than $190 million in federal subsidies toward electric vehicle purchases through June 2026, according to new data from Transport Canada.
The figure represents 44,315 claims, with half of them coming from Quebec. The federal government relaunched the rebate program early this year and allocated $2.275 billion to it, intended to last up to five years.
EV sales have begun to cool, however. Statistics Canada data shows electric vehicles accounted for 9.6 per cent of new vehicle sales in both April and May, down from 12 per cent in the month following the program's relaunch.
Under the revived program, Ottawa set a target of putting 840,000 new EVs on the road by offering up to $5,000 toward the cost of a new EV and $2,500 toward plug-in hybrids. Rebates apply only to vehicles costing less than $50,000, though Canadian-made EVs — currently the Dodge Charger and Chrysler Pacifica — are exempt from the price cap.
By the numbers
How much did Canada pay out in federal EV rebates through June 2026?
Canada paid out more than $190 million in federal subsidies toward electric vehicle purchases through June 2026, representing 44,315 claims.
What share of new vehicle sales were EVs in April and May 2026?
Electric vehicles accounted for 9.6 per cent of new vehicle sales in both April and May 2026, down from 12 per cent in the month following the program's relaunch.
How much can Canadians claim under the current federal EV rebate program?
The federal rebate program offers up to $5,000 toward the cost of a new EV and $2,500 toward plug-in hybrids, with rebates applying only to vehicles costing less than $50,000 (though Canadian-made EVs are exempt from the price cap).
