Why is Canada so afraid of Chinese EVs?
Posted July 3, 2024 11:08 am.
Right now, the federal government is in the middle of a consultation period in which they may decide to jack up tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. In announcing the consultation, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland called Chinese EVs “unfair competition” and said China undermined Canada’s EV sector’s ability to compete.
Lorraine Sommerfeld is an automotive journalist for Driving.ca and host of The Driving Podcast.
“They’re selling [the Chinese made EVs] for like around $10,000. I’m sorry, I’m laughing. I just got out of a $66,000 EV,” said Sommerfeld.
How is China’s EV approach “unfair”? Why are Canadian EVs having trouble competing? Why aren’t more Chinese EVs making their way overseas? And why can’t you buy a simple, functional $12,000 electric car instead of a $65,000 electric truck, SUV, or Tesla?
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