Windsor car salesman says EV mandates were aggressive, target paused

A local car sales manager believes the EV mandate is too aggressive. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco checks in with the experts.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the 2026 electric vehicle target, as a Windsor car sales manager called the mandates aggressive.

Wes Thrasher, sales manager at Reaume Chevrolet Buick GMC in LaSalle, supports the EV movement, but feels the mandates were a bit aggressive, considering the volatility between the U.S. and Canada.

“I’m happy to see common sense has prevailed,” Thrasher told CTV News.

“I think there is some relief because when the rebates were available to customers, a lot of the people that could see themselves in an EV or taking on that lifestyle, did.”

Greg Layson, editor for Automotive News Canada, explained the effects of no rebates.

“The $5,000 incentive at the federal level ended in early 2025, and sales fell off a cliff,” he said.

Layson said two things were revealed through Carney’s EV pause: Incentives are still needed for people to buy electric vehicles and the goal of having 20 percent electric sales by 2026 is not realistic.

EV owners enjoy driving by and not having to stop at gas stations. They feel the vehicles are quiet, low maintenance and oil change free.

CTV spoke with a local vehicle owner who plans to switch to EV when his current vehicles expire.

“EV itself is not viable, in my opinion, for the next five to 10 years,” said another driver.

This leaves many wondering about the battery plant. Layson feels it was always going to be a slow, long road to electrification.

“There’s not an automaker on Earth that’s going to spend $5 to $7 billion on a battery plant if it doesn’t intend to build batteries at some point in the future.”

James Stewart, president of Unifor Local 444, is optimistic and said the Prime Minister made some important announcements, but there are a lot of details still missing.

Stewart feels the pause shouldn’t be long, as it’s important for Canada to continue developing EV technology and supporting the sector.

“Long term, we are going to get outpaced and already are getting outpaced by the likes of China, who are finding ways to really develop their EV technology and lowering the cost,” Stewart explained.

“Canada has to do the same thing long term. EVs are coming. I’m glad to see he’s finding a way to release some pressure on the auto industry. However, we can’t fall too far behind.”