China EV Quota Canada Status 2026
China EV quota Canada activity has slowed a lot in recent weeks. The latest government figures show that more than 33,000 import permits remain unused. This is out of the annual 49,000-vehicle allowance for Chinese-built electric vehicles.
Current China EV Quota Canada Numbers
According to Global Affairs Canada’s latest report, only 15,931 of the 49,000 permits have been used so far. The quota year runs until February 28, 2027. Therefore, 33,069 spots are still available.
The second six-month window opened on September 1. However, it has seen very little activity. Only 328 vehicles were recorded in September. Also, zero new imports have been logged in October so far.
Tesla Model 3 Orders Paused
Tesla stopped taking new orders for the China-built Model 3 Premium in Canada on October 12. The company said high demand exhausted its import allocation. As a result, orders are expected to resume in March 2027 if Ottawa releases more quota.
The Model 3 Performance remains available to order. This is because it is built in the United States and does not fall under the China quota. Tesla also briefly changed the listed range of the Model 3 Premium RWD on its Canadian website to 584 km. However, it later reverted the specs back to the previous China-built figures.
What This Means for Buyers
The large number of unused permits has raised questions about how the quota is being allocated. Global Affairs Canada has said it is consulting with interested companies on the remaining volume. But it has not published company-specific limits.
Other Chinese brands such as Geely, BYD, and Chery are still preparing to enter the Canadian market. Most of them are expected to arrive in 2027.
For the latest official numbers, check the Global Affairs Canada EV quota page.
You can also follow more Canadian EV updates on NextEV or view current offers in our best EV deals Canada October 2026 guide.
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