68% of respondents oppose federal zero-emission vehicle sales mandate for 2035.
Gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles dominate next-purchase preferences among survey participants.
Canadians support charging infrastructure but show mixed views on EV incentives.
A majority of Canadian auto consumers are not on board with the federal government’s proposal to ban new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales by 2035, according to new survey data released alongside the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow ticket launch.
In a poll conducted by the AutoShow Insider Panel, 68% of respondents opposed a mandate requiring all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The findings arrive ahead of possible updates to Canada’s EV sales targets, expected this winter.
Ottawa Confirms iZEV Program is Dead, but EV Rebates Could Still Come Back in a Different Form
When asked about their next vehicle purchase, 47% of panellists indicated they would choose a traditional ICE car, while 30% preferred a non-plug-in hybrid. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were the choice of 11% and 10% of respondents, respectively.
These consumer sentiments inform the 2026 AutoShow theme, “Driven by Choice,” which will highlight a broad array of vehicle types, technologies, and price points. The show will feature over 40 participating brands, with new displays and expanded test drive experiences.
Beyond vehicle preferences, the survey found strong support for maintaining a competitive domestic auto sector, with 77% agreeing that Ottawa should prioritize the protection of Canada’s automotive industry in the next one to two years.
Views on EV policy were mixed. While 77% of respondents said a more robust public charging network is needed to boost EV adoption, only 54% agreed the government should reinstate federal EV rebate incentives. Support for rebates was higher among women at 61%.
Ford Seriously Considering Ending F-150 Lightning Production
Young Canadians also expressed resistance to the 2035 phase-out, with 72% of respondents aged 20 to 39 opposed to the mandate.
Other findings include strong support (61.6%) for aligning Canadian vehicle standards with those in Europe, Japan, and South Korea, which could potentially broaden the range of models available in Canada.
The November 2025 CIAS Insider Panel survey was conducted among 1,202 participants who attended the 2024 or 2025 AutoShow events.
The 2026 AutoShow will take place from February 13th to 22nd at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
