Two studies in three years find thousands of lives and $90 billion in health benefits may depend on Canada holding to its mandate

A question mark is hanging over Canada’s EV Availability Standard in the face of an uncertain North American auto market.

But two studies by two different agencies have found at least 11,000 Canadian lives and over $90 billion in benefits hang on the continued implementation of the Standard.

“The government should hold the line on regulations that protect the health of our people and climate,” says Evan Wiseman, senior manager of climate policy at The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), one of the groups responsible for the reports. 

“With renewed incentives and supportive policies, there is plenty of flexibility in the ways automakers can meet these targets.”

Study findings

A softening of the EV market in Canada has resulted from a trade war with the United States and the discontinuation of many provincial and federal purchase rebates since January 2025. In response, many auto industry stakeholders have been calling for the government to suspend the EV Availability Standard.

Canada’s EV Availability Standard applies to light-duty vehicles. It aims to have 20 per cent of all new passenger vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 60 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.

Emissions from the transportation sector account for nearly 25 per cent of Canada’s annual total emissions; passenger vehicles account for about half that percentage.

“Criteria air contaminants from gas-powered vehicles are associated with adverse health effects such as premature mortality, increased hospitalizations, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and other chronic respiratory diseases,” reads a statement from TAF.

“The EV Availability Standard would result in over $90 billion in health benefits for Canadians over the next 25 years, including up to 11,000 avoided premature deaths.”

Meanwhile, a 2024 study from the University of Toronto found 19,800 deaths in the U.S. in 2017 were due to vehicle pollution.

The cumulative carbon reduction impact of the Standard are estimated at 362 megatonnes.

“To protect the lung health of Canadians, these regulations are a vital move in curbing the immense impact of traffic-related air pollution. We must not undo the progress that has been set in place,” says Sarah Butson, CEO of the Canadian Lung Association.