Is Canada ready for Chinese EVs? Your questions answered

Marco Chown Oved, a climate change reporter for the Star, and Robert Benzie, the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief, answered reader questions on a range of topics, from Doug Ford’s reaction to Mark Carney’s EV deal to domestic manufacturing to the Chinese brands you could see on the roads.

Here’s what they said:

Q: Given the uncertainty and unpredictability on tariffs from the US, why has there been such opposition to the deal with China? — Chugvenkatesh

A: China has been accused of stealing intellectual property and subsidizing its EVs, making them artificially cheap. But 49,000 Chinese EVs are unlikely to lead to a race to the bottom in pricing for domestic manufacturers. Car companies make their money on higher end models not entry level vehicles. That’s why they love upselling us with options. If BYD or MG or another Chinese firm is selling its cars here they may choose to bring more profitable models since they can only sell a finite amount. — Robert Benzie

Q: What are the upsides of this deal for consumers? Can North American EVs become more price competitive? — David

A: Because Chinese EVs can retail for as little as the equivalent of $9,000 US (in China), they’re flooding into developing countries and make up the majority of EVs sold worldwide last year. Chinese EV maker BYD passed Tesla as for the most global sales in 2025. While North American safety standards would end up adding cost to those super-cheap Chinese EVs, some Chinese models are selling in Europe for around $27,000 CAD. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he expects a portion of the 49,000 yearly Chinese EV imports to retail for less than $35,000.

Because the cheapest EV in Canada retails for about $40,000, the hope is these Chinese EVs will fill a sector of the EV market that isn’t currently served — and provide the competition to convince domestic carmakers to make a cheaper EV available. — Marco Chown Oved

Q: I think Carney is doing a great job, but living in Oshawa, I do wonder are there any guarantees that we will have work here to assemble and produce the Chinese EVs? — Bill

A: None. — Robert Benzie

Q: How soon can we see a BYD on Canada’s roads ? Or will it just be Chinese manufactured Teslas and Polestars for now? — Gary

A: BYD is the now the world’s number #1 EV manufacturer, having surpassed Tesla’s global sales in 2025. It’s quickly becoming the iconic Chinese EV brand, internationally at least.

While Teslas manufactured in Shanghai are ready to be put on ships for Canada immediately, BYD would have to alter its designs to meet North American safety standards, which could take some time. But the company has shown it’s willing to do it: They’re selling EVs in Mexico, Brazil and Europe, all with different standards. — Marco Chown Oved

Scroll down to the comments section to read their full answers, and find lots more insight.