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Tesla has been a trailblazer for other EVs and continues innovating as others follow its lead. The brand has a strong following, but the high-priced Model S and Model X have made it little more than eye candy for most buyers. Recently, Tesla rectified some of its pricing issues with the far more affordable Model Y and Model 3. These smaller, more affordable EVs bring superior technology and outstanding performance to a wider customer base.
The Tesla Model 3 compact sedan is particularly popular, thanks to its spacious interior, 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time, and sharp looks. And let’s not forget its dual-motor all-wheel-drive Long Range variants that zip to 100 km/h in as few as 4.4 seconds and can deliver up to 548 km of driving range.
So, how can you get your hands on a Tesla Model 3 in Canada? It's not the most straightforward task, but we'll explain how it works. We’ll also give you the scoop on all the incentives it qualifies for and a few alternatives.
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How to Buy a New Tesla Model 3 in Canada
Buying a Tesla Model 3 all-electric sedan in Canada is unlike any other car-buying experience.
Tesla does not have dealerships where you can just waltz in, test drive a few models, and leave with the car. That's too simple for Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Instead, you must schedule a test drive, and Tesla will bring a vehicle to you.
You can't simply sign the paperwork and keep the car if you want to buy the Tesla Model 3 after your test drive. Instead, you must go through the Model 3 ordering process, which includes choosing the variant you prefer — the Model 3 or Model 3 Long Range — the interior and exterior colour, the wheels, and whether you want Enhanced Autopilot or full self-driving capability.
With all those options selected, Tesla gives you a final price. But you're not done yet. You must then put down a non-refundable $250 deposit and wait for your Tesla Model 3 to arrive. The current waiting period is within 30 days, but this changes frequently.
When the vehicle is ready, Tesla will deliver it to you and complete the purchase paperwork and payment.
How to Buy a Pre-Owned Tesla Model 3 in Canada
Buying a used Tesla Model 3 in Canada is far more straightforward. You can start with an online search for pre-owned Model 3 units that meet your needs. You can also head straight to Clutch to see our inventory of in-stock Model 3s available for immediate delivery.
Once you choose the Model 3 you want, you can complete the paperwork like any other used vehicle and take it home.
If you make your purchase through Clutch, we streamline this process by handling the entire transaction online — no need to set foot in a dealership. We then deliver the vehicle to you with an optional 10-day, no-hassle, money-back guarantee. If you don't love your Clutch pre-owned Model 3, we'll take it back and refund 100% of your money.
Average Canadian Tesla Model 3 Price
Electric car prices are still significantly higher than their internal combustion counterparts but are consistently getting lower. Also, the savings can add up quickly with no gasoline to pay for and less maintenance.
If you're shopping for a new 2024 Tesla Model 3 in Canada, expect to pay anywhere from the base price of $53,990 for the base model with a 438-km range and 6.1-second 0-100 km/h sprint time to a $63,990 base price for the 548-km Long Range model with a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h sprint time.
If you opt for Enhanced Auto Pilot — basically an advanced adaptive cruise control setup — add an extra $7,800. Full self-driving capability runs $16,000. Optional exterior and interior colours and wheels can add a few thousand dollars to the price.
If you plan to buy a pre-owned Tesla Model 3 from a dealership, prices vary greatly depending on the model year and options. However, according to used car prices analyzed in March 2024, you can expect pricing to range from about $28,000 for a 2018 Model 3 Long Range with rear-wheel drive (RWD) to about $56,000 for a 2023 Model 3 Performance with dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD).
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Electric Vehicle Charging Considerations
When considering an electric vehicle, you must also factor in charging it. According to Electric Autonomy, 70% of British Columbians still mentioned range anxiety — the fear of running out of battery mid-trip — as the main reason for not buying an EV.
Canada is looking to quickly put this concern to bed with rapid EV charging station deployment. As of March 2024, National Resources Canada lists more than 11,100 public DC Fast and Level 2 EV charging stations — up from 8,600 in February 2023 — nationwide with over 27,400 available charging outlets.
Of those stations, more than 1,800 are DC Fast Chargers — over 5,000 outlets total — which can charge the Model 3 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Remember, many of these outlets will feature incompatible connectors, which require an adaptor that can run up to $345.
It’s also worth noting that charging your Model 3 isn't free. On Tesla's Supercharger network, charging ranges from 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to as high as 34 cents per kWh during peak charging hours.
Uswitch research found the average cost to charge an EV in Canada is just $162.20 per year, which is about $14 per month. Remember, this will include charging the vehicle at home.
If you plan to charge primarily at home, having a professional electrician install an at-home wall charger is best. The unit costs $625 from Tesla — installation is extra — and will get you up to 71 km of range per hour of charging.
Electric Vehicle Incentives
Tax and other governmental incentives have made electric vehicles more accessible to average buyers. The Model 3 is eligible for federal and provincial credits throughout, helping drive its price down. However, these incentives are only available when buying or leasing a new Tesla Model 3, not a pre-owned one.
Tesla Model 3 Federal EV Incentives
As of March 2024, Canada offers its Incentives for Zero-Emissions Vehicles (iZEV) that lower the purchase price of an electric vehicle by up to $5,000. To qualify for the point-of-sale credit, the vehicle must have a $55,000 maximum price for the base model without options. After meeting that qualifier, you can push the total price with options up to $65,000 and still qualify. This means the base Model 3 RWD and Model 3 Long Range qualify by $1,010.
The exact amount of the federal incentive depends on your purchase or lease terms. To get the maximum $5,000 iZEV incentive, you must purchase the Model 3 outright or lease it for 48 months. From there, the iZEV credit falls based on lease terms as follows:
- 36 months: $3,750
- 24 months: $2,500
- 12 months: $1,250
The federal incentive is a point-of-sale credit, so it comes directly from the Tesla Model 3's MSRP at the time of purchase or lease.
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Tesla Model 3 Provincial and Territorial Incentives
When buying a Tesla Model 3 in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, or Yukon, there are additional incentives on top of the iZEV credit. These incentives are as follows.
British Columbia
If you buy or lease a new Tesla Model 3 in British Columbia, you're eligible for up to another $4,000 in point-of-sale credit, depending on your income. Combined with the federal credit, this would decrease the total price by $9,000.
Only the Model 3 RWD trim is eligible for this rebate. The Long Range trim exceeds BC’s $55,000 sale price cap.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia's rebate on the Tesla Model 3 runs $3,000 and is available only on the base Model 3 RWD trim. This is a point-of-sale rebate and stacks with the federal government rebate for a total of $8,000 off.
Nova Scotia's EV rebate also covers those who purchase a pre-owned Model 3. Any used EV with a retail price of $10,000-$55,000 and purchased from a dealership is eligible for up to a $2,000 point-of-sale rebate.
That means if you find a pre-owned Model 3 with a sale price between $10,000 and $55,000, you can save $2,000.
Ontario
Ontario offers no provincial rebates but gives EV owners free carpool lane access.
Quebec
Quebec offers a $7,000 point-of-sale rebate on all new electric vehicles with an MSRP under $65,000, so all 2024 Model 3 trims would be eligible. This stacks on the federal rebate for up to $12,000 in savings.
You're also eligible for rebates when leasing a new Model 3 RWD. These credits are based on the lease length.
- 48 months or longer: $7,000
- 36-47 months: $5,250
- 24-35 months: $3,500
- 12-23 months: $1,750
Unfortunately, Quebec is phasing out this program through 2027. In 2025 and 2026, the rebate will fall to $4,000 and $2,000, respectively, until reaching $0 in 2027.
In addition to the rebates, Quebec also gives EV owners access to reserved lanes and free passage on toll bridges and ferries.
Yukon
Yukon offers up to a $5,000 point-of-sale rebate on all new, non-pickup truck EVs that start under $60,000 (pickups must be $70,000 or less). This rebate is also eligible for those who want to lease a Model 3. You'll get the full rebate on any three-year or longer lease. Leases under three years get a prorated rebate.
When you combine this with the federal rebate, your total savings on a new Model 3 RWD will be $10,000.
7 Alternatives to the Tesla Model 3
It's not overly convenient to purchase a new Tesla Model 3 in Canada, and finding a quality pre-owned one can be a challenge at times. Fortunately, the EV market has grown significantly, so you have many alternative electric vehicles from other automakers to consider.
Consider these options if you can’t get your hands on a Tesla Model 3 in Canada.
1. Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV was one of the first mainstream EVs to challenge Tesla's industry-topping driving range, offering up to 417 km of driving range and a competitive price. Plus, it's eligible for most of the same rebates offered for the Model 3.
If you prefer more of an SUV body type, you can opt for the higher-riding Chevrolet Bolt EUV.
2. Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai’s first-ever dedicated electric vehicle, the IONIQ 5, debuted in 2022 and offers Tesla-competitive driving ranges of 354 to 488 km. On top of that, its Long Range AWD trim offers Model 3-like 5.1-second 0-100 km/h acceleration. With its base price of $41,800, the IONIQ 5 should qualify for just about every government rebate.
3. Nissan LEAF
The Nissan LEAF was one of the pioneers of the mainstream electric vehicle, and it remains a strong alternative to leaders like the Model 3. It offers a pair of range options, the 240-km base model with a 40-kWh battery and the 363-km PLUS model with a 60-kWh battery pack.
Neither the base nor the PLUS model can touch the Model 3 Standard Range Plus' driving range, but their pricing starts far lower at $44,593. Plus, they qualify for most of the same rebates as the Tesla. Another bonus: finding a new or pre-owned Nissan LEAF is fairly simple.
4. Hyundai IONIQ 6
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a four-door coupe body type with more powertrain options than the IONIQ 5, giving buyers style options. The IONIQ 6 can travel from 434 km to 581 km, giving the Model 3 serious competition in terms of range.
On top of this, the IONIQ 6's optional dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain offers up to 320 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 5.1 seconds.
With its starting price of just $42,450, the IONIQ 6 qualifies for all government rebates and incentives.
5. Volkswagen e-Golf
The Volkswagen e-Golf stands out for blending in. Unlike many other EVs, the e-Golf looks almost identical to any other Golf on the road. It stands out under the skin, where it features a 100-kW electric motor and a 198-km all-electric range.
It's less range-friendly than the Model 3 but competitively priced.
The e-Golf is no longer available new but it is available on the used market. While this will limit your incentive options, the lower price should compensate for that.
6. Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is the cousin to the earlier mentioned Hyundai IONIQ 5, meaning it has an impeccable driving range that rivals the Model 3. The driving range goes from 332 km to 499 km, making the Model 3 have to look over its shoulder. The EV6 also has a more unique and eye-grabbing design than the IONIQ 5, which some buyers may prefer.
For those who want the power and acceleration of the now-discontinued Model 3 Performance, the EV6 has its 576 kW GT trim that zips to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.
The big downside to the Kia EV6 is its starting price rings in at $59,166, so it doesn't qualify for many incentives. However, with used EV6 models hitting the market, you could offset this lack of incentives with lower used prices.
7. Volvo C40 Recharge
Volvo may brand the C40 recharge as a crossover, but it can still compete with the Model 3 thanks to its decent EV specs and luxury fit and finish. Its range checks in at up to 478 km with the single-motor powertrain, giving the Model 3 a run. And if you want power, the twin-motor-drive option bumps its output to 402 horsepower, which sprints it to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.
The C40 Recharge is also a legitimate luxury car with posh synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and more.
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Buy a Tesla Model 3 With Clutch and Save Cash
The Tesla Model 3 isn't the easiest vehicle to find, whether it's a new or pre-owned model you're seeking. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
At Clutch, we purchase used Tesla Model 3 units and then run them through our rigorous 210-point inspection process, and sell them for thousands less than new. You may not be eligible for the federal $5,000 rebate, but you’ll save on the MSRP and still qualify for some provincial rebates. Plus, the Clutch car-buying process is 100% online, eliminating the stress of going to a dealership. Once you choose the Tesla Model 3 that works for you, we can deliver it, and you can have 10 days to try it risk-free. If you don't love it, you can return it for a full refund or exchange it for another vehicle.
