Which federal EV rebate applies in Canada right now?

The iZEV program has ended. It was replaced by the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), live since February 16, 2026, offering up to $5,000 for battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrids. Two conditions must both be met: the final transaction value must be $50,000 or less (no cap for EVs assembled in Canada), and the vehicle must be manufactured in Canada or a country with an active free trade agreement with Canada.

Why is the Tesla Model 3 not eligible for Canada's EV rebate?

Canadian-market Tesla Model 3s are built at Giga Shanghai, and China does not have a free trade agreement with Canada. EVAP requires manufacture in Canada or a free-trade-agreement country, so the Model 3 is ineligible even at $39,490, well below the $50,000 cap. The Tesla Model Y, imported from Giga Berlin in Germany, does qualify. Quebec's provincial rebate has no free-trade requirement and still applies to the Model 3.

Does Ontario have its own EV rebate?

No. Ontario's provincial EV purchase rebate ended in 2018 and has not been reinstated. Only the federal EVAP incentive applies in Ontario, plus any dealer or manufacturer incentives on your specific deal.

How much does it cost to charge an EV in Ontario?

On Ontario's Ultra-Low Overnight rate of 3.9 cents per kWh, a typical electric SUV costs roughly $1.32 per 100 km. The same vehicle on a public fast charging network at $0.69 per kWh costs about $13.66 per 100 km. Comparable gasoline SUVs cost roughly $10 to $15 per 100 km.

Do EV batteries need replacing?

Rarely. Geotab's study of more than 22,700 real-world EVs found batteries degrade about 2.3% per year, retaining roughly 81.6% of capacity after 8 years, above the 70% threshold most manufacturer warranties guarantee. Only about 0.5% of modern EVs ever need a replacement pack.

Is EV insurance more expensive in Canada?

On average yes, roughly 36.8% more. Canadian data shows EVs average $3,131 per year versus $2,289 for gasoline vehicles, driven by higher repair costs, parts availability, and ADAS recalibration. Premiums vary widely by model, so quote your specific trim before buying.

Do EVs have more recalls than gas cars?

Not inherently. EVs add high-voltage and software campaign types that gas cars don't have, but Transport Canada treats all light-duty vehicles under the same Motor Vehicle Safety Act rules. Always check the specific VIN rather than assuming a brand is "safe" or "risky."

Can I still drive a vehicle with an open recall?

It depends on the defect. Some campaigns are urgent (fire risk, loss of propulsion, airbags); others are lower urgency. The recall notice states the risk - if you are unsure, stop driving until a dealer confirms.

Does an open recall kill a used EV deal?

Usually not if the remedy is free and parts are available - but you should negotiate who takes the car to the dealer and confirm the work is completed before you take ownership. An open high-voltage or structural recall is a stronger reason to walk away or escrow funds.

Is the US NHTSA database enough for a Canadian car?

No. Canadian-market vehicles can have different campaigns, VINs, and remedy timelines. Always use Transport Canada's database for a vehicle registered or sold in Canada.

Check EV recalls in Canada

Check Transport Canada's recall database by VIN before you buy or keep driving. We don't host a live feed - the government tools below are the source of truth.

official source: Transport Canada
verified: Sep 2026

Open VIN recall search Official source · Verified Sep 2026

How to check in four steps

1. Find the VIN
The 17-character Vehicle Identification Number is usually on the dashboard near the windshield, the driver door jamb sticker, or the ownership/registration paperwork. For a used listing, ask the seller for the VIN before you visit.
2. Search Transport Canada's recall database
Use the official Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database - not a third-party aggregator - and search by VIN when you have it. VIN search is more accurate than make/model alone because not every vehicle in a model year is affected.
3. Read the remedy and status
Open recalls list the defect, the safety risk, and what the manufacturer must fix. "Incomplete" means the free repair has not been done yet - dealers usually perform the remedy at no charge once parts are available.
4. Confirm with a dealer before you buy or drive
Database records can lag a few days behind manufacturer notices. Call a franchised dealer with the VIN and ask whether any campaign is still open, especially on high-voltage, airbag, or braking systems.

Official tools (bookmark these)

Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database
Search by VIN, make/model/year, or Transport Canada recall number.
Defects and recalls hub
Report a potential defect, get alert apps, and find Takata and other campaign pages.
Open Government recall dataset / API
Bulk CSV/XML and the Vehicle Recalls Database API for developers - useful if you are building tooling, not required for a personal VIN check.

Common questions

Do EVs have more recalls than gas cars?: Not inherently. EVs add high-voltage and software campaign types that gas cars don't have, but Transport Canada treats all light-duty vehicles under the same Motor Vehicle Safety Act rules. Always check the specific VIN rather than assuming a brand is "safe" or "risky."
Can I still drive a vehicle with an open recall?: It depends on the defect. Some campaigns are urgent (fire risk, loss of propulsion, airbags); others are lower urgency. The recall notice states the risk - if you are unsure, stop driving until a dealer confirms.
Does an open recall kill a used EV deal?: Usually not if the remedy is free and parts are available - but you should negotiate who takes the car to the dealer and confirm the work is completed before you take ownership. An open high-voltage or structural recall is a stronger reason to walk away or escrow funds.
Is the US NHTSA database enough for a Canadian car?: No. Canadian-market vehicles can have different campaigns, VINs, and remedy timelines. Always use Transport Canada's database for a vehicle registered or sold in Canada.

EV North does not issue recall notices and is not affiliated with Transport Canada. Always verify against the official database and your dealer before making a purchase or safety decision.

How to check in four steps

1. Find the VIN

2. Search Transport Canada's recall database

3. Read the remedy and status

4. Confirm with a dealer before you buy or drive

Official tools (bookmark these)

Common questions