Canadians set another record in 2023 for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, with Tesla continuing to dominate the segment.
According to S&P Global Mobility data, the Model Y saw significant volume increases and ended the year as the top-selling ZEV, accounting for 18.6% of the overall ZEV market. This placed it ahead of offerings from VW, Chevrolet, Ford, and others.
See also: Tesla Executive Aims for Cybertruck Sales in Canada Soon
Despite the Model Y’s success, Tesla’s overall registration figures dropped across the country last year, indicating a broader range of ZEV options in Canada. In Ontario, Tesla’s share of ZEV new vehicle registrations fell from around 60% to about 40%, with a similar decline in BC.
At the national level, Tesla’s share decreased from around 40% to approximately 30%, according to S&P data.
Zero-emission vehicles ended 2023 with 11.7% of the overall light vehicle market, up from 8.9% in 2022. British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario led in overall registrations.
Quebec saw a significant increase in ZEV ownership, jumping from 13.17% in 2022 to 20.44%. Surprisingly, the best-selling ZEV in Quebec was not Tesla but the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, which edged ahead of the Model Y with approximately 300 more registrations.
Tesla’s recent price adjustments in Canada, making the Model Y Long Range eligible for Ontario’s $7,000 rebate, suggest the automaker is seeking to increase market share in the province, the second-largest market in Canada, heading into 2024.
See also: Canada Nickel Co. Unveils US $1 Billion Plan for Nickel Processing Plant in Ontario
British Columbia remains the leader in ZEV adoption, with almost a quarter of light vehicle registrations being ZEVs, or 22.91%.
Ontario continues to lead in pure volume but has not seen significant changes in overall percentages. The province saw only a 0.81% increase in the share of ZEV registrations from 2022 to 2023.
In the Atlantic regions, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) each experienced remarkable annual growth rates exceeding 100% (138.2%, 105.2%, and 133.9%, respectively). P.E.I. emerged as the frontrunner, achieving a ZEV adoption rate of 7.4%.
