EVs in Quebec in 2026 — What Regulatory Changes, Buyer Interest, and New Market Players Mean for You
EVs in Quebec in 2026 — What Regulatory Changes, Buyer Interest, and New Market Players Mean for You
Posted on July 8, 2026
By JF Charest, Sales Director — Brossard Hyundai
You're Following EV News and Everything Seems to Be Changing Too Fast to Make an Informed Decision
Reduced electrification targets in Quebec. A trade agreement between Ottawa and Beijing on electric vehicles. A surge in Quebec buyer interest. New subsidies. Potential new players entering the market.
In just a few weeks, the news cycle around electric vehicles has accelerated considerably. And for a buyer considering the switch to electric — or still on the fence — all of this information can feel difficult to parse. What actually matters for your purchase decision today? Here's what I take away from these developments, through the lens of someone on the ground.
Three News Stories That Seem Contradictory, But Tell the Same Story
At first glance, the June 2026 electrification headlines can seem to send mixed signals. Quebec is scaling back its targets. Ottawa is opening the door to vehicles from China. And yet, Quebec buyer interest in EVs is hitting a record high. How does this all fit together?
In reality, these three developments tell the same story: the electric vehicle market is in the middle of a major restructuring — and that restructuring creates both opportunities and uncertainties for buyers who are waiting to decide.
Understanding Each Development to Make a Better Decision
Quebec reduces its targets — but remains North America's leader
The Quebec government confirmed in June 2026 a second downward adjustment to its zero-emission vehicle sales objectives. The new target is 80% of new vehicle sales by 2035, down from the original 100%. Interim targets were also revised: 30% by 2027 (from 45% previously) and 51% by 2030 (from 85%).
What's certain: despite this pullback, Quebec remains the Canadian province with the highest electric vehicle sales requirements.
Quebec buyer interest in EVs is bouncing back — strongly
This may be the most significant data point for a buyer currently in the decision process. According to the most recent J.D. Power study (March-April 2026), 42% of Quebec new vehicle buyers say they are likely to consider an electric vehicle for their next purchase — an increase of 10 percentage points from the prior year.
The Ottawa-Beijing Agreement: 49,000 Chinese vehicles per year, eventually
Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded a trade agreement with China in January 2026 allowing the importation of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles annually at the preferential tariff of 6.1%. What this means for a buyer today: the arrival of lower-priced electric vehicles on the Canadian market is a real prospect, but it unfolds over a multi-year horizon.
Why Waiting Doesn't Work in Your Favor
Quebec's Roulez vert program ends December 31, 2026 and will not be renewed. It's the last year to benefit from this provincial incentive. The federal PAVÉ program is active, but subject to a funding envelope that can be exhausted.
Waiting for hypothetical lower-cost vehicles that won't arrive before 2027 at the earliest, with service network questions still unanswered, has a real cost in lost subsidies and additional months spent at the gas pump.
Our Perspective at Brossard Hyundai
Our role isn't to sell you an electric vehicle because it's trending. It's to help you determine whether an EV fits your real-world usage, your charging situation, and your budget — and if so, which one, and when.
Come Talk to Our Team
Questions about currently available subsidies, electric models in our lineup, or simply what the current news means for your next purchase decision? Our team is here for a no-pressure conversation, with concrete answers.
Brossard Hyundai
8750 Taschereau Blvd., Brossard, QC J4X 1C2
1 (866) 848-0083