OTTAWA — A growing number of Canadians consider the federal government's target for all new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035 as "unrealistic," according to a recent survey. The polling firm Leger conducted the survey with 1,617 respondents amid increasing pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney's government from the automotive industry to reconsider the policy.

The survey presented the mandate as a crucial part of the government's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. It stated, "Currently, the federal government plans to prohibit the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, meaning the only new vehicles for sale 10 years from now will be zero-emission vehicles, like electric. Which of the following viewpoints comes closest to yours?"

The results revealed that 71 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that the target is unrealistic and should be rolled back due to high costs. In contrast, 29 percent believed the target is necessary and should remain in place despite its challenges. The online survey was conducted from August 1 to 4, and it is important to note that online surveys do not have a margin of error due to the lack of random sampling.

When asked about the realism of prohibiting the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, 39 percent of respondents felt it was "not at all realistic," while 30 percent said it was "not very realistic." Only 20 percent considered it "somewhat realistic," and 6 percent deemed it "very realistic."

Andrew Enns, an executive vice-president at Leger, noted a decline in the perception of the goal's realism since the last survey in September 2023, where the number of respondents viewing the target as realistic dropped by six percentage points. In Quebec, a province known for its environmental sensitivity, the belief in the policy's realism fell by approximately 18 points.

"They’re increasingly becoming skeptical," Enns said. He emphasized that the government faces a significant challenge in convincing Canadians that this policy is beneficial.

Under the current mandate, all new vehicle sales in Canada must be zero-emission by 2035, starting with a target of 20 percent by 2026 and increasing to 30 percent by 2030. Automakers have expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting the 2026 target, citing declining sales and ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. as major issues.

Leger’s survey also explored reasons for the decline in electric vehicle sales over the past year. Statistics Canada reported that zero-emission vehicles accounted for only 8.7 percent of new vehicle registrations in the first quarter of this year, a significant drop from 23 percent the previous year. The survey indicated that 48 percent of respondents believe electric vehicles remain too expensive, even with government subsidies. Additionally, 39 percent pointed to insufficient charging infrastructure, while 37 percent felt EVs do not meet people's needs, and 32 percent expressed a lack of confidence in the vehicles.

Enns highlighted that the demographic losing confidence in the mandate includes women and individuals aged 35 and older. Given the data and increasing calls from automakers for the government to reconsider the mandate, he suggested that Carney may need to adjust the policy. "This is a government that hasn’t been shy to reverse course on what has been some pretty bedrock policies of the previous government," he said.

Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, responsible for setting the targets for the mandate, stated that the government will continue discussions with the industry to explore potential flexibility.