Quebec Pauses 2035 ICE Ban, Targets 90% ZEV Sales
The Canadian province of Quebec has revised its electric vehicle (EV) sales targets. The government has paused its plan to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, instead aiming for 90% zero-emission vehicle sales. This change comes amidst a slowdown in EV news nationwide.
The slowdown in EV news can be attributed to several factors. The federal government has paused its 2026 ZEV mandate, which previously required 20% of new sales to be zero-emission vehicles. Additionally, the reduction of Quebec's EV incentive program and the suspension of the federal iZEV rebate program have contributed to this trend.
In Quebec, EV adoption rates have decreased significantly. The province saw a record 42% EV adoption rate in the fourth quarter of 2024, but this dropped to 11.8% in the second quarter of 2025. Nationwide, EV sales slowed in the first half of 2025, with ZEVs accounting for 9.2% of new light-vehicle registrations in Q2 2025, down from 9.7% in Q1.
Environment Minister Bernard Drainville stated that the policy change aims to balance environmental protection and economic development. The new plan allows for conventional or hybrid vehicles to make up the remaining 10% of sales. Quebec will recognize plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and full battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) towards its ZEV sales target.
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