Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) policy is entering a pivotal new phase. In a recent Globe & Mail op-ed, Professors Romel Mostafa and Gal Raz examine what this shift means for EV adoption, investment, and long-term competitiveness in the auto sector. They argue that the federal government’s new auto strategy marks a consequential shift from past approaches by refocusing on the core market conditions needed to accelerate EV uptake, while cautioning that success now hinges on execution.
Drawing on comparative research from leading EV-adopting countries, they show that mass adoption depends less on supply mandates and more on two fundamentals: reliable, convenient charging infrastructure and a narrowing price gap between EVs and internal combustion vehicles. They identify the federal government’s renewed emphasis on charging infrastructure, emissions targets, and market coordination as important steps toward addressing these constraints. The op-ed also positions EV demand as essential to anchoring Canada’s proposed EV and battery manufacturing investments, particularly amid shifting U.S. policy and intensifying global competition.
The authors conclude that Canada’s strategy is strong, but execution will determine its success. Securing Canada’s place in the next phase of the global auto industry will require fast, coordinated action — from accelerating charging deployment to advancing critical minerals development, supporting supplier transition, and strengthening trade alignment.