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September 08, 2026NEW VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS, Q2 2026 Statistics Canada reports Nova Scotia results for new motor vehicle registrations. Data are reported for all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta.
In Q2 2026, there were 18,026 new vehicles registered in Nova Scotia, 9.5% from Q2 2025. Among fuel types, gasoline powered vehicles were the most common with 14,174 registrations - more than 3 times the number of other fuel types registered (diesel, battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). Among body types, multi-purpose vehicles (including sport-utility vehicles) were by far the most common in Q2 2026 with 11,745 registrations.
Registrations were up for all fuel types except for diesel, led by battery electric and plug-in hybrids. Among body types, registrations were up for all body types except pickup trucks in Nova Scotia from Q2 2025 to Q2 2026.
In Q2 2026, 78.6% of Nova Scotia's vehicle registrations were for gasoline-fuelled vehicles. Nationally, gasoline-fuelled vehicles were 68.6% of registrations in Q2 2026. British Columbia and Québec had the lowest shares of gasoline-fuelled vehicles among Q2 2026 registrations. Hybrid electric vehicles were more commonly registered in Ontario. Plug-in hybrid vehicles were more commonly registered in British Columbia. Battery electric vehicles were a larger share of registrations in Québec and British Columbia. Diesel vehicles were a larger share of registrations in Saskatchewan.
Across Nova Scotia, gasoline-fuelled vehicles were the majority of registrations in all areas in Q2 2026. Gasoline-fuelled vehicle registrations were most prevalent in Halifax followed by New Glasgow. Diesel, battery electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hybrid electric were more commonly registered in Kentville.
Trends
Vehicle registrations exhibit seasonal patterns, with Q2 registrations rising for most engine and body types.
Although they are still the most commonly-registered fuel type in Nova Scotia, gasoline-fuelled vehicle registrations have declined and remain below levels from 2019. However, there has been a rise in Q2 registration of new gasoline-fuelled vehicles since 2023.
Hybrid electric vehicle registrations have risen sharply in the last two years - making them the second most common type vehicle propulsion registered in Nova Scotia in Q2 2026.
Diesel-fuelled vehicles have reported higher registrations since 2023, but remain substantially less than the number of hybrid electric registrations.
Battery electric vehicle registrations accelerated sharply from 2021 to 2024 and accelerated again in Q2 2026, but declined (year-over-year) in the previous four quarters.
Plug in hybrid registrations rose in Q2 2026 compared to the year prior, reaching a new high.
Multi-purpose vehicles such as sport-utility vehicles remain by far the most commonly-registered new vehicles in Nova Scotia, particularly in the last year.
Pickup truck registrations declined year-over-year in the most recent quarter.
Registration of new passenger cars remains substantially lower than it was prior to 2020, with an increase year-over-year in Q2 2026.
Registration of new vans declined in 2020 and 2022 has been rising since.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0025-01 New motor vehicle registrations, quarterly, by geographic level
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