Canadian sales of new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) continued to gain momentum in May, rising 19.7 per cent year over year despite an overall decline in new vehicle sales, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada reported 18,308 new ZEVs were sold across the country in May, representing 9.6 per cent of all new vehicle sales. That compares with a market share of 7.9 per cent during the same month in 2025.
Overall, Canadians purchased 190,564 new motor vehicles in May, down 1.9 per cent from a year earlier. New truck sales declined 2.2 per cent, while passenger car sales edged up 0.1 per cent.
The latest figures continue a trend of strengthening ZEV adoption throughout 2026. April sales increased 21.2 per cent year over year, with 17,795 zero-emission vehicles delivered nationwide, following an even stronger performance earlier in the spring.
Statistics Canada classifies zero-emission vehicles as those capable of operating without producing tailpipe emissions, including battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Industry observers have linked the recent increase in ZEV demand to a combination of renewed federal purchase incentives and elevated fuel prices. Ottawa reinstated its Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program earlier this year, offering rebates of up to $5,000 for eligible battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and up to $2,500 for qualifying plug-in hybrid models. The federal government has allocated $2.275 billion to support the program over the next five years.
For Canada's collision repair industry, the continued growth in ZEV adoption underscores the increasing importance of high-voltage training, specialized repair procedures and investments in EV-capable equipment. As electric vehicles account for a larger share of the national vehicle parc, repair facilities are expected to see a corresponding increase in the number of EV repairs entering their shops.
