Canada EV sales had a big August. Statistics Canada says Canadians bought 22,716 new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in August, up 55.1% from August 2025. ZEVs made up 13.0% of all new vehicles sold, up from 8.8% a year earlier.
The overall market grew too, just much more slowly. Dealers sold 174,611 new vehicles in August, up 4.9% year over year, while sales in dollar terms rose 8.8%.
Canada EV sales in August 2026 by the numbers
- New ZEVs sold: 22,716 (up 55.1%)
- ZEV share of new vehicle sales: 13.0% (vs. 8.8% in August 2025)
- All new motor vehicles: 174,611 (up 4.9%)
- Passenger cars: up 14.2%; trucks: up 3.5%
One caveat: StatCan’s ZEV category includes both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, and the release doesn’t split them out. It doesn’t break out brands either, so we can’t see Tesla’s share.
Using StatCan’s own percentages, our rough math puts August 2025 ZEV sales at about 14,600. That means ZEVs added roughly 8,100 units over the year, while the whole market grew by about 8,200. In other words, almost all of August’s growth came from plug-in vehicles. These are our rounded estimates, not official figures.
Why the jump? The $5,000 EVAP rebate
The growth lines up with Ottawa’s Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP). It offers point-of-sale incentives of up to $5,000 on eligible battery-electric vehicles and up to $2,500 on plug-in hybrids bought or leased since February 16, 2026. To qualify, a vehicle generally needs a final transaction value of $50,000 or less (no cap for Canadian-made EVs) and must be built in Canada or a country with a free-trade agreement with Canada. Transport Canada’s schedule cuts the maximum battery-electric incentive to $4,000 in 2027.
For Tesla shoppers, Drive Tesla Canada reports that the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive qualifies, and Tesla advertised it at $44,990 with the rebate applied. Tesla’s Canadian incentives page says Model 3 isn’t currently eligible.
What it means for Tesla buyers in Canada
August came before Tesla’s October 12 move to pause Model 3 Premium orders in Canada until March 2027, citing its China import quota, so these figures don’t reflect that change. For now, the Model Y is Tesla’s main rebate-eligible choice. Charging keeps growing as well: Canada added 103 fast-charging stations in Q3, as covered in our Q3 fast-charging breakdown. Shopping for your first one? Start with our Model Y owner’s guide for Ontario and Canada.
Thinking about going electric before the rebate drops in 2027? Ask the owners who’ve done it. Join the most active Tesla Facebook group in Canada, with 17,000+ members: Tesla Model Y & 3 Canada.
Sources: Statistics Canada, The Daily (Oct. 15, 2026) · Transport Canada, EVAP overview · Tesla Canada incentives · Drive Tesla Canada · Drive Tesla Canada (Model Y EVAP)