The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Jan. 30, edition that the simplest approach is often the best when encouraging Canadians to buy electric vehicles and persuading manufacturers to enter this market. A Globe editorial says EV sales are still low, and automakers not meeting federal targets this year risk hefty penalties. The federal mandate is under a 60-day review as of September. The federal review results are not public, but The Globe says the mandate should be scrapped. Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade deal with China is the better approach. Lowering tariffs on Chinese-built EVs offers a simpler approach to encouraging electric vehicles: competition. Opening the doors wide to these vehicles could, in fact, do serious damage to domestic manufacturers. However, the trade deal does not do that. The door is open only a crack: 49,000 vehicles would amount to less than 3 per cent of domestic auto sales. Reducing the tariffs keeping out Chinese-built cars will allow the Canadian consumer to demonstrate what they really do want. A choice not restricted by either government regulation or industry myopia. Greater choice and more competition can only be a good thing. The Globe says the simple route is best.