Canada’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has gained real momentum, helped by federal rebates, growing infrastructure, and expanding model choices. But that momentum could hit a wall. With new tariffs looming on EVs and parts, especially those made in China or imported from the U.S., some of the most popular and affordable electric options could face steep price hikes. Here are 22 electric vehicles threatened by new tariffs:
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is one of Canada’s best-selling EVs, offering a mix of performance, range, and brand appeal. The base model delivers 438 km of range, 283 hp, and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Its minimalist interior features a 15-inch touchscreen and over-the-air updates. While Tesla assembles some units in North America, many parts, including batteries and electronics, are sourced globally. With new tariffs targeting China and U.S. manufacturing tensions rising, the Model 3’s competitive pricing could be in jeopardy, especially for entry-level trims that rely more on imported components.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has quickly become a standout for its bold design and advanced features. It offers up to 488 km of range, fast charging capability (10% to 80% in 18 minutes), and up to 320 hp in AWD trims. Inside, it feels futuristic yet spacious, with a flat floor and dual 12.3-inch screens. Built in South Korea, the IONIQ 5 is at high risk of price increases if Canadian tariffs target non-North American EVs. It remains eligible for federal incentives, but new cross-border pricing challenges could eliminate those benefits.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is one of Canada’s most affordable electric crossovers, with a range of 397 km and 200 hp. It’s compact, easy to drive, and equipped with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving in top trims. The interior is practical, with comfortable seating and a responsive 10.2-inch touchscreen. Built in the U.S., the Bolt EUV could be affected by any shift in trade policies or retaliatory tariffs between Canada and the U.S. As it already offers limited margins, any added cost could make it far less competitive for budget-conscious EV buyers.
Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 combines high-end tech, sleek design, and performance. It offers up to 499 km of range in RWD trims and up to 576 hp in the performance-focused GT model. The premium interior has a curved dual display, ambient lighting, and generous space. Manufactured in South Korea, the EV6 is particularly exposed to tariffs on imported EVs or batteries. With global supply chains under scrutiny and North America shifting toward local content rules, buyers may see pricing pressures that affect availability or rebate eligibility in Canada.
Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya is a new entry in the electric SUV market, delivering up to 465 km of range and up to 389 hp in dual-motor trims. It features a quiet, spacious cabin with a flat floor, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and high-quality materials throughout. Built in Japan, the Ariya is vulnerable to new tariffs on imported EVs and foreign parts. Nissan’s efforts to ramp up production outside Japan may eventually help, but current pricing could see a spike if trade policies tighten. For now, it remains a substantial value that could slip out of reach.
BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin is a compact electric hatchback from China that has recently gained attention for its affordability and well-rounded features. It offers up to 400 km of range, a 70 kW motor with 94 hp, and a practical interior with a rotating touchscreen and quality materials uncommon at this price point. While not yet widely available across Canada, it’s seen as a budget-friendly alternative for EV buyers. However, new federal tariffs targeting Chinese-made EVs would directly affect the Dolphin’s price.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mustang Mach-E offers bold styling, solid range, and impressive acceleration. Depending on the trim, it can travel up to 502 km on a charge and produce up to 480 hp in the GT Performance Edition. The interior feels upscale, featuring a 15.5-inch infotainment screen, a digital gauge cluster, and a panoramic roof. Although built in Mexico, the Mach-E uses parts sourced globally, making it susceptible to component tariffs or changes to North American trade agreements.
Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 brings Scandinavian design and solid performance to the premium EV market. It offers a range of up to 515 km and up to 455 hp in dual-motor trims, with a refined cabin that includes vegan upholstery, a minimalist dashboard, and Google integration. Most units are built in China, which places the Polestar 2 directly in the crosshairs of pending import tariffs. If duties are imposed on Chinese-built EVs, the Polestar 2’s premium pricing could climb further, making competing with domestic and Korean electric options harder.
Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X marks the brand’s return to the all-electric space. It offers up to 406 km of range in FWD trims and features a modern, spacious cabin with a large central touchscreen, soft-touch materials, and advanced safety systems. Though some production occurs in Japan, Toyota also plans to manufacture in the U.S. However, the Japanese-built models sold in Canada are at risk of becoming pricier under proposed tariffs. As Toyota scales up its EV lineup, buyers interested in this first model may want to act before new trade measures affect its availability.
VinFast VF 8
The VinFast VF 8 is a mid-size electric SUV made in Vietnam, offering up to 425 km of range and 402 hp in the dual-motor version. The interior is spacious and tech-forward, with a 15.6-inch display and minimalistic controls. While new to the Canadian market, it’s positioned as a budget-friendly competitor to more established brands. However, any tariff increases on vehicles imported from Southeast Asia would affect VinFast directly. The company’s pricing strategy relies on undercutting rivals, which may be challenging to maintain if cross-border costs suddenly rise.
BMW i4
The BMW i4 blends electric performance with traditional luxury sedan design. It offers up to 484 km of range and up to 536 hp in the M50 trim, reaching 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. It features high-end materials, a curved display with BMW’s iDrive system, and refined driving dynamics. Built primarily in Germany, the i4 could be impacted by new Canadian or reciprocal EU tariffs on vehicle imports. As global supply chains shift and trade tensions rise, the i4’s pricing could move well beyond reach for Canadians hoping to enter the luxury EV market.
Subaru Solterra
The Subaru Solterra, developed with Toyota, brings all-wheel drive and SUV practicality to the EV space. It offers up to 360 km range and dual motors producing 215 hp. The cabin is functional and well-equipped, with a panoramic roof, a large touchscreen, and familiar Subaru safety features. Built in Japan, the Solterra is subject to potential tariffs on Japanese-made vehicles or parts. With growing interest in EVs that perform well in winter and off-road settings, price hikes could put the Solterra at a disadvantage compared to locally assembled electric SUVs.
Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e returns to Canada with a small footprint and a stylish look tailored for city life. Depending on battery size, it offers a range of around 240–320 km and is powered by a 117 hp motor. The interior keeps a minimalist aesthetic with soft-touch surfaces and a central touchscreen. Manufactured in Italy, the 500e is exposed to potential EU-Canada tariff disputes or increased duties on European EVs.
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T is a bold electric pickup designed for adventure. It offers over 500 km of range in the Max Pack version and up to 835 hp in quad-motor setups, making it one of the most powerful EVs in its class. The interior is rugged yet premium, with sustainable materials, a 16-inch display, and innovative storage like the gear tunnel. Assembled in the U.S., the R1T could become more expensive in Canada if U.S.-Canada tariff conflicts escalate, especially given the high cost of its components and reliance on U.S.-based production.
MG4 Electric
The MG4 is a compact hatchback, gaining popularity in Europe and starting to enter other markets. It offers up to 450 km of range, a choice of power outputs (168 hp to 435 hp), and a surprisingly refined cabin for its price point, with a 10.25-inch screen and solid safety features. Produced in China by SAIC Motor, the MG4 is a vehicle directly affected by Canadian tariffs targeting Chinese EVs. While not widely available here, its potential arrival could be stalled or priced out entirely by trade policy changes.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
The EQB is a compact electric SUV with seating up to seven, combining Mercedes luxury with daily practicality. It offers up to 419 km of range and 288 hp in the all-wheel-drive version. The cabin includes high-quality materials, twin digital displays, and adaptive driver-assist tech. Assembled in Hungary, the EQB is vulnerable to EU-focused tariffs or new taxes on European imports. With luxury EVs already priced higher, even a modest increase from trade policies could push the EQB beyond the reach of many Canadians looking for premium but family-friendly electric options.
Honda Prologue
The Honda Prologue is a new electric SUV co-developed with General Motors. It is built on GM’s Ultium platform and offers an estimated 450 km of range and up to 288 hp. Its interior design is clean and familiar, with a large touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and ample cargo room. Though future versions may be made in North America, early production is expected to rely heavily on U.S. and imported components. If Canadian-U.S. trade tensions worsen, costs for Prologue buyers could climb before Honda fully localizes EV production for the Canadian market.
Lucid Air
The Lucid Air is a high-performance luxury sedan offering exceptional range and tech. The Grand Touring model delivers 819 hp and up to 830 km range, one of the highest available today. Inside, it features an ultra-premium design with leather, wood, and multiple touchscreens. Built in Arizona, the future of Air in Canada depends heavily on tariff stability. If Canadian buyers face higher costs due to tensions with U.S. manufacturers or imported materials, this luxury EV could become even more exclusive, priced far above what most consumers can justify, even in premium segments.
Volvo EX30
The Volvo EX30 is a small but powerful new electric SUV, offering up to 442 km of range and 422 hp in dual-motor trims. It’s built with sustainability in mind, using recycled materials and a minimalistic Scandinavian interior design. Assembled in China, the EX30 faces direct tariff threats in both the U.S. and Canada. If trade policies tighten around Chinese EVs and parts, this attractively priced Volvo may see its competitive edge disappear. For now, it’s one of the most promising entries in the compact EV market if tariffs don’t get in the way.
Lexus RZ 450e
Lexus’s first all-electric vehicle, the RZ 450e, offers 308 hp, AWD, and up to 354 km range. Its interior features Lexus-level craftsmanship, a 14-inch touchscreen, suede-like trim, and a quiet, comfortable ride. Built in Japan, the RZ could be impacted by tariffs on foreign-made EVs or critical components. While Lexus plans to expand EV production globally, the current version’s pricing may rise if new duties are applied. For buyers seeking luxury with reliability, now may be the best time to purchase before pricing shifts affect availability.
XPeng G6 (Future Market Entry)
XPeng’s G6 is an electric crossover with up to 755 km of range (China cycle) and features like lidar-based driver assistance, a clean cabin design, and 800V fast charging architecture. Though not yet available in Canada, it has been considered for market entry. With proposed tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, companies like XPeng may delay or abandon Canadian launches. If Canada follows U.S. efforts to restrict Chinese EV imports, promising newcomers like the G6 could vanish before they even arrive, limiting competition and consumer choice in a rapidly expanding segment.
NIO ET5 (Potential Entry)
The NIO ET5 is a sleek electric sedan with up to 700 km of range (China cycle), 490 hp in dual-motor trims, and a tech-rich interior with a heads-up display, voice AI, and luxurious finishes. Like other Chinese EVs, it has drawn global interest in offering premium features at accessible prices. However, tariff complications may be stalled by NIO’s plans for international expansion, including to Canada. Any move restricting Chinese brands from entering the market could keep the ET5 and its cutting-edge features out of reach for Canadians looking for value without compromise.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
When people think of innovation, they often picture Silicon Valley. However, Canada has a history of innovation, too. Whether it’s redefining sports, revolutionizing medicine, or just showing America up at its own game, Canadian inventors, thinkers, and dreamers have had their fair share of mic-drop moments. Here are 22 times Canadian ingenuity left the U.S. in the dust.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
