Leger Poll: 72% of Québecers Open to Chinese EVs

72% of Québecers Willing to Buy a Chinese EV

A new Leger poll just confirmed what many suspected: Québec is the Canadian province most receptive to Chinese electric vehicles. The number is striking — 72% of Québecers say they would consider buying an EV from a Chinese brand like BYD, Chery, or Geely. The Canadian average sits at 58%. That is a 14-point gap, and it tells an interesting story about the mindset of Québec consumers. The poll, conducted among 3,200 Canadians between February 15 and 28, 2026, shows a Québec that stands clearly apart from the rest of the country. For Chinese automakers planning their Canadian entry, this data should influence where they open their first dealerships.

The Province-by-Province Breakdown

The numbers by province paint a clear opportunity map. Québec leads at 72%, followed by British Columbia at 65%, Alberta at 59%, the Prairies at 57%, and Ontario at 54%. Atlantic provinces come in at 51%. The contrast between Québec and Ontario is particularly notable — an 18-point gap between Canada's two most populous provinces. The explanation partly comes down to the presence of the auto industry in Ontario. Workers and communities that depend on GM, Ford, and Stellantis plants in Oshawa, Windsor, and Brampton perceive Chinese EVs as a direct threat to their jobs. In Québec, the auto manufacturing industry is virtually nonexistent, which frees consumers from that concern.

Why Québec Is So Open to Chinese EVs

Three factors explain Québec's openness. The first is value for money. Québec has the lowest median income among Canada's major provinces — $39,500 per year versus $43,200 in Ontario. Chinese EVs, priced 30-45% below the competition, fit squarely into Québec household budgets. The second factor is environmental. Québec generates 99% of its electricity from hydropower. The switch to EVs is seen as a complete ecological gesture — not just shifting pollution from the tailpipe to the power plant. The third factor is cultural. Québecers have historically shown less loyalty to North American brands than the rest of Canada. Japanese and Korean cars broke through in Québec faster than in other provinces.

The 18-34 Age Group: The Chinese EV Generation

The 18-34 age group is the most enthusiastic, with 81% willing to consider a Chinese brand. That is 9 points above the Québec average and 23 points above the national average. This generation grew up with Chinese tech products — smartphones, laptops, apps. The stigma of "Made in China" that still affects baby boomers simply does not exist among young consumers. For them, the question is not "where does the car come from?" but "how much does it cost and what does it do?" Chinese automakers should take note: their marketing in Canada should target this demographic first, with a strong presence on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Concerns That Persist

The poll also reveals what holds people back. After-sales service quality worries 64% of respondents. Spare parts availability concerns 58%. Durability in winter conditions is cited by 52% of Québecers. These concerns are legitimate — no Chinese automaker has a service network in Canada yet. BYD plans 20 dealerships in its first year, which will leave vast areas without coverage. For a Québecer in Rimouski or Saguenay, the closest BYD dealership will be in Montreal or Québec City. That is a real problem that manufacturers will need to solve with local service partnerships or mobile repair units.

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