Tesla has long been blazing the path for other EVs and continues innovating as others follow its lead. While the brand has a strong following, the high-priced Model S and Model X have made it little more than eye candy for most buyers. Today, Tesla offers the far more affordable Model Y and Model 3, bringing superior technology and outstanding performance to the masses.

The Tesla Model 3 has been particularly popular thanks to its spacious interior, 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time, and sharp looks. And let’s not forget its dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants that zip to 100 km/h in as few as 3.3 seconds and can deliver up to 507 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.


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.

You can't just walk into a showroom, test drive a few models, and leave with the Tesla Model 3 that’s calling to you. That's too simple for Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Instead, you must schedule a test drive, and Tesla will bring a vehicle to you. 

If you want to buy the Tesla Model 3 after your test drive, you still can't simply sign the paperwork and keep the car. Instead, you must go through the Model 3 ordering process, choosing the variant you prefer — the Model 3, Model 3 Long Range, or Model 3 Performance — 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 non-refundable deposit and wait for your Tesla Model 3 to arrive. The current waiting period is a week to a month, 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 a 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 the savings can add up quickly with no gasoline to pay for and less maintenance

If you're shopping for a new 2023 Tesla Model 3 in Canada, expect to pay anywhere from $54,990 for the base model with a 438-km range to $72,990 for the 507-km Performance model. If you opt for Enhanced Auto Pilot — basically an advanced adaptive cruise control setup — add an extra $7,800. Full self-driving capability runs $19,500. Optional exterior and interior colours and wheels can add a few thousand dollars to the price. 

If you're planning to buy a pre-owned Tesla Model 3 from a dealership, prices range greatly depending on the model year and options. However, you can expect pricing to range from about $41,000 for a 2019 Model 3 Standard Range Plus with rear-wheel drive (RWD) to about $74,000 for a 2022 Model 3 Performance with dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), according to Kelley Blue Book.

Electric Vehicle Charging Considerations

When considering an electric vehicle, you must also consider charging it. According to Electric Autonomy, 70% of Canadians 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 February 2023, National Resources Canada lists more than 8,600 public DC Fast and Level 2 EV charging stations — up from 6,000 in April 2021 — nationwide with over 20,100 available charging outlets.

Of those stations, more than 1,400 are DC Fast Chargers — over 3,800 outlets total — which can charge the Model 3 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Remember, many of these outlets will feature CHAdeMO connectors, which require an adaptor that runs $530

As of February 2023, only 175 DC Fast Charger stations in Canada — a total of 1,648 charging outlets — feature a Tesla-specific charger and don’t require the adaptor. 

It’s also worth noting that charging your Model 3 isn't free. On Tesla's Supercharger network, charging ranges from 19 cents per minute at up to 60 kilowatts to as high as $1.65 per minute at 180 to 250 kW speeds, which comes out to $24.75 per 282 km at the highest speeds.

Uswitch research found the average cost to charge an EV in Canada is just $261.06 per year, which is about $22 per month. Remember, this will include charging the vehicle at home.

If you plan to charge primarily at home, it’s best to have a professional electrician install an at-home wall charger. The unit costs $635 from Tesla — installation is extra — and will get you about 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. In Canada, the Model 3 is eligible for federal and provincial credits driving its price down. That said, 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 February 2023, Canada offers a new government incentive program that lowers the purchase price of an electric vehicle by up to $5,000. To qualify for the tax credit, the vehicle must have a $55,000 maximum base model price. After meeting that qualifier, the credit, you can push the total price with options to up to $65,000 and still qualify. This means the base Model 3 RWD qualifies by $10, and you can add a few options, but the higher trims don’t qualify.

The exact amount of the federal incentive depends on your purchase or lease terms. To get the maximum $5,000 incentive, you must purchase the Model 3 outright or lease it for 48 months. From there, the incentive 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. The credit comes in tiers based on whether you buy or lease and how long the lease is:

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 federal offer. 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. 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 Performance and other higher trims exceed BC’s $55,000 MSRP 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 rebate for a total of $8,000 off. 

A unique thing about Nova Scotia's EV rebate is that it also covers those who purchase a pre-owned EV. Any EV with six seats or fewer that costs $10,000-$55,000 and was 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 for 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 $60,000, so the base Model 3 RWD 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

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 EVs that start under $60,000. 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. 

This brings your total savings on a new Model 3 RWD to $10,000 when stacking this with the federal rebate.

Yukon residents can also buy their Model 3 outside Yukon and import it without losing the rebate. Plus, Yukon will give you up to a $1,500 rebate to cover shipping the vehicle.

7 Alternatives to the Tesla Model 3

Purchasing a new Tesla Model 3 in Canada isn't the most convenient experience, and finding a quality pre-owned one can be equally challenging. Fortunately, the EV market has grown significantly, and there are plenty of 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.

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. The base IONIC 5 Preferred trim qualifies for most of the same rebates as the Model 3 RWD.

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 and the 363-km PLUS model. 

Neither the base nor the PLUS model can touch the Model 3 Standard Range Plus' driving range, but their pricing starts far lower. 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. BMW i3

The BMW i3 isn't your typical posh Bimmer. Instead, it's an environmentally friendly EV with an innovative powertrain option. The i3 starts with a base model with only an electric motor and enough battery to travel 130 to 246 km

If you need more range, the optional Range Extender model adds a small gasoline generator to deliver an extra 116 to 129 km of range. However, the added weight of the engine drops the all-electric range to 116 to 203 km.

The BMW i3 is no longer available new, but it is plentiful on the used car marketplace.

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 it's competitively priced. 

The e-Golf is no longer available new but it is available on the used market.

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 Model 3 Performance, the EV6 has its 576 kW GT trim that zips to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. And with starting prices far lower than the IONIQ 5, the EV6 has two trims that qualify for the same rebates as the Model 3 RWD, the 373-km RWD Standard Range and 499-km RWD Long Range.

7. Volvo C40 Recharge

While Volvo brands the C40 recharge as a crossover, it’s more like a high-riding sedan with decent EV specs. Its range checks in at 364 km, giving the base Model 3 RWD a run, but it really excels in performance with its 4.7-second 0-100 km/h sprint and 402-horsepower powertrain.

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.

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 deliver it, and you 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.