OTTAWA — Canadian automakers are warning they could be on the hook for billions of dollars in credit purchases if Canada’s electric vehicle mandate is enforced as written, and sales don’t ramp up.

Automakers already have deals lined up with companies like Tesla to buy credits to close expected gaps between sales and the targets set by the EV mandate. That could end up costing the industry more than $3 billion by 2030, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association president Brian Kingston told the House of Commons international trade committee on Thursday.

“According to our estimates, over $1 billion has already been committed to this,” Kingston said.

The CVMA represents Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

Kingston said it’s not clear how much money has been spent already on buying credi

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