Canadians: 3 Electric Vehicle Stocks to Buy This Summer

Electric vehicle production will continue to explode this decade, which should drive investors to dip into stocks like NFI Group Inc. (TSX:NFI) in July.

| More on:

The electric vehicle (EV) market has generated huge excitement over the past decade. Look no further than the success investors have seen at Tesla. The company has wrestled with production challenges, but the stock has hit its stride in recent months. Shares of Tesla have surged nearly 500% year over year as of close on July 17. This has allowed founder Elon Musk to amass a fortune that now eclipses Warren Buffett. The consulting firm McKinsey lauded EV progress in 2018 and 2019 but said that continued growth depended on regulatory support going forward.

Today, I want to look at three TSX-listed equities that can provide Canadians with exposure to the EV space.

EV investing: Can lithium regain momentum?

In the mid- to late 2010s, lithium producers experienced a spike in interest due to the rise of the EV space. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles. Because of this, lithium began to experience its own gold rush last decade.

It soon became clear that the industry was outpacing the EV market itself. A glut quickly emerged and tanked many of the top lithium-linked stocks. However, industry experts still expect a return to form as the EV market catches up to the build up in the 2020s.

Lithium Americas (TSX:LAC)(NYSE:LAC) is a Canadian resource company. Its two main projects are the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine project in Argentina and the Thacker Pass lithium claystone project in Nevada. Shares of Lithium Americas have climbed 71% in 2020 so far. The demand recovery from the lithium crash may still take time, but the explosion of electric vehicle production is great news for companies like Lithium Americas. Currently, it boasts high-growth potential and a favourable price-to-earnings ratio of 11.

One TSX stock stepping into the EV market

NFI Group (TSX:NFI) manufactures and sells buses in North America and around the world. In 2012, in a joint venture with the Manitoba government and Mitsubishi, NFI unveiled a fully electric battery-powered bus. Fast forward to August 2019, and NFI announced a new contract from New York’s Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) for four battery-powered transit buses.

This makes NFI Group a player to watch, as municipalities look to adopt public transport with lower emissions. Beyond the EV space, NFI is also pushing ahead with automated transportation. Shares of NFI Group last had a price-to-book value of one, which puts it in favourable value territory. The stock paid out a quarterly dividend of $0.2125 per share this July. That represents a strong 5.1% yield.

This ETF offers broad exposure to EV stocks

Instead of picking up individual stocks, some investors may want to dip into a vehicle that offers broad exposure to the electric vehicle market. The Evolve Automobile Innovation ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the Solactive Future Cars Index. Shares of this ETF climbed 51% in 2019 and have increased another 20% so far in 2020. Some of its top holdings include NIO, a China-based EV producer, Tesla, and Ballard Power Systems.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Ambrose O'Callaghan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. David Gardner owns shares of Tesla. Tom Gardner owns shares of Tesla. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends NFI Group.

More on Investing

3 colorful arrows racing straight up on a black background.
Investing

1 Canadian Stock Ready to Surge Into 2025

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) stock is a sleeping dividend giant that may be about to wake up.

Read more »

Tractor spraying a field of wheat
Investing

Is Nutrien Stock a Buy for its 4.7% Dividend Yield?

Nutrien (TSX:NTR) is a well-known defensive commodities play. But is this stock worth buying for its dividend yield alone?

Read more »

Happy shoppers look at a cellphone.
Tech Stocks

So You Own Shopify Stock: Is it Still a Good Investment?

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock has had a run, but there's still room to the upside.

Read more »

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Investing

The Best Stocks to Invest $2,000 in Right Now

Do you have some extra cash to spare? Here are three Canadian stocks to add to your watch list today.

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Friday, November 22

Continued gains in gold, oil, and natural gas prices could give the commodity-focused TSX benchmark a boost at the opening…

Read more »

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Is CNR Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Can CNR stock continue its long-term outperformance into 2025 and beyond? Let's explore whether now is a good time to…

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Energy Stocks

Invest $20,000 in This Dividend Stock for $100 in Monthly Passive Income

This dividend stock has it all – a strong outlook, monthly income, and even more to consider buying today.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Stock Market

It’s Not Too Late: Invest in These TSX Growth Stocks Now

Solid fundamentals of these top TSX growth stocks could help them maintain strong upward momentum in the years to come.

Read more »