Canadians Prefer European-Style Cars, EV Interest Rises

Canadians show a clear preference for a European-leaning new-car market and growing interest in electric vehicles, according to a new poll commissioned by Clean Energy Canada and conducted by Abacus Data.

Survey findings and market implications

Abacus Data surveyed 2,762 adults online between September 18 and September 23, weighted to match census data on relevant metrics, and reports a margin of error of 1.86 points. When asked to choose which influence they would prefer on Canada’s new-car market, 47 percent favoured a European-leaning market, while 21 percent preferred a stronger American influence. The remaining share of respondents was not explicitly broken out in the published results, leaving the status quo to account for whatever is left.

The demand behind the European preference is largely electric: 48 percent of Canadians now say their next vehicle is likely to be fully electric. That figure is up three percentage points from the 45 percent measured in April 2026 and the prior year. Interest in battery electric vehicles, abbreviated EVs, is noticeably stronger among 18 to 29-year-olds than among 30 to 44-year-olds.

Among respondents identified as likely EV buyers, diversity of choice is the main constraint. Some 42 percent said they would rather wait for more Chinese-brand alternatives to reach Canadian dealers, and 37 percent said there are too few electric pickup trucks on offer. The survey notes that the lack of demand for electric pickups is visible in Q3 2026 releases from manufacturers that sell electric trucks in Canada.

Upfront price consistently ranks as the most prohibitive barrier to EV adoption, and the survey suggests an information gap around affordability. Sixty percent of potential buyers are at least somewhat aware that new EVs can be purchased in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, but only one in five respondents is very aware of those options. Awareness of used electric vehicles is lower. Awareness of a federal rebate of $5,000 on eligible new EVs stands at 62 percent, and 69 percent of respondents know that EVs are generally cheaper to own and operate.

Looking ahead, the poll highlights two developments that could shape Canada’s EV market in 2027: the arrival of Ford’s all-new Fathom pickup and the introduction of additional Chinese models, including a reported pair from Geely. The survey frames those entries as potentially pivotal rather than guaranteed market-changers.

The poll also tested a regulatory preference. Respondents were told that European rules require public chargers to accept credit and debit cards without an app, a notable contrast with Canada’s app-centred charging infrastructure. Sixty-nine percent agreed that Canadian chargers should be required to work the same way.

Finally, the survey notes a diplomatic backdrop that could influence industry ties. In September 2026 European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the bloc’s first associate member, and the EU-Canada summit at the end of October 2026 could advance the relationship and bring Canada closer to Europe’s auto industry.