EV sales saw massive boom in 2026, but this province is lagging behind

EV sales are surging across Canada, but Saskatchewan buyers remain hesitant despite federal incentives and higher gas prices. Allison Bamford has more.

As Saskatchewan electric vehicle sales accelerate, industry leaders say lagging infrastructure is preventing more drivers from making the switch.

Recent data from the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealer’s Association (SADA) shows EV registrations rose to 3,408 in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 3,059 during the same time last year – an increase of roughly 11 per cent.

“As technology progresses, I think you’ll see a better adoption and acceptance,” said Larry Heggs, SADA’s executive director.

Saskatchewan’s rise in EV sales follows a national trend, although the incline is nowhere near as steep.

In March, more than 21,500 zero-emission vehicles were sold across the country – an increase of almost 75 per cent year over year, according to Statistics Canada.

Heggs says the federal electric vehicle affordability program that provides rebates up to $5,000 for EVs is a driving factor behind the increase, along with a larger selection of models and a growing comfortability with EVs.

“At the end of the day, more people are interested in them. If your neighbour has one and it’s good, (interest) just continues to grow that way,” Heggs said.

However, charging infrastructure, harsh winters and driving distance – especially in a vastly rural province like Saskatchewan – are key reasons drivers in the province have been slower to transition away from gas vehicles.

“There’s quite a large distance where we have, I would say, dead zones where we don’t have even level two EV charging infrastructure available,” said Jerilyn Nixon, president of the Saskatchewan Electric Vehicle Association.

Nixon, who’s been driving an EV for nine years, says major routes like Highway 1 and the Yellowhead Highway are equipped with charging stations roughly every 200 kilometres, which is “fairly ideal” for newer EVs with ranges of over 400/km.

But longer trips require a little more planning to know when and where to charge up, especially in the winter, Nixon said.

EV batteries can lose 10 to 30 per cent of their charge in cold weather, depending on the age of the vehicle and where it is stored.

“There is a learning curve, because EVs are a lot more efficient in the city over highway driving, compared to gas vehicles that are less efficient in the city and more efficient on the highway,” said Nixon, who’s driven an EV from Regina to Edmonton and back, and only spent $60 in charging fees.

Saskatchewan requires EV owners to pay a $300 annual road use charge on Class LV electric vehicles registered in the province. The fee ensures EV drivers pay for road and highway maintenance, which is collected through provincial fuel taxes for traditional gas and diesel vehicles.

Despite the additional charge, Nixon doesn’t see it as a major deterrent.

“If you’re wanting to go electric and have been taking your time educating yourself … I think it’s something that we all know we will eventually have to pay because road maintenance is important,” she said.

At Carget Automotive in Saskatoon, the group general sales manager Tristan Mariano has seen an influx in customers inquiring about EVs and plug-in hybrids in recent months.

“People want to find some ways that might not change their life a whole lot, but will save a good amount of money,” he told CTV News.

Cost savings are more effective in the used EV market, he said.

“These EVs and the hybrids can take a significant depreciation on the first couple of years of ownership,” Mariano said. “The true savings on these EVs are for the second buyer.”