An EV might be right for you
Electric vehicles have moved into the mainstream. Is there one that’s right for you? What about charging, cost and other questions? Our EV Buyer’s Guide is the best place to start.
Our guide provides the EV-curious Canadian with an easy-to-understand guide that provides information on the critical elements of EV ownership, such as cost and availability of EV models, charging and an interactive EV finder to find their best match.
Visit our guideCAA Canadian EV Driver Study
CAA released the largest-ever survey of Canadian EV drivers – over 16,000. It finds pre-purchase concerns about driving range, cold weather performance, and battery degradation decline dramatically after purchase.
CAA found satisfaction rates among EV drivers in Canada are extremely high with an overwhelming majority stating they will purchase another EV when it comes time to replace their existing one.
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This project was funded by the FIA.
Think EVs are complicated? We can help.
What does it cost to own an EV?
Check out our Driving Costs Calculator to learn about the operating costs of an electric vehicle.
Calculate the cost
Engine options – find the right fit for you
Understanding the different EV types can help you determine which fits your needs.
Learn about engine options
What EVs are on the market?
Looking to purchase an EV or hybrid? Check out the vehicles available in Canada.
Learn about available EVsCAA supports efforts to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric vehicles (EVs) do both. Available incentives are one of the reasons to consider an EV as your next vehicle. But lower overall operating costs also can help make EVs an affordable, green option.
Industry experts also refer to many electric vehicles as zero-emission vehicles or ZEVs for short. ZEVs never emit exhaust gas from the onboard source of power. And while most electric vehicles do not emit any exhaust, hybrid vehicles are the exception. Hybrids are often looped into the electric vehicle category because they have an electric engine onboard. But hybrids do in fact emit exhaust – though much less exhaust than a standard internal combustion engine. Learn more about the differences.
5000+ charging stations
There are over 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Canada.
450km
Dependent on road and driving conditions, you can drive up to 450km in an EV.
10 minute charge
By 2025, the charging time of EVs is expected to be approximately 10 minutes for 600 km.
Stay in charge
Some people worry about driving range – how far they can drive an EV before their battery dies. On average, Canadians drive less than 100 kms per day. That’s well within the range of today’s new EVs. Not to mention, most of the charging happens at home. And even if you have to charge on the go, the EV charging network is extensive, and the infrastructure continues to expand. Today, it’s possible to drive in an electric vehicle coast to coast across Canada. Helpful apps and websites make it easy to find charging stations near you.
EVs don’t have to be complicated
There’s some stuff you may not know about EVs. Explore our site to learn more and #thinkelectric
EV Frequently Asked Questions
On average, Canadians drive less than 100 kms per day. That’s well within the range of today’s new EVs, which can run for 400 kms and more on a single charge. Planning a long road trip? There are more than 5,000 public charging stations across Canada. You can drive an EV from coast to coast using that charging network. And, depending on your vehicle, the latest quick-charge technologies enable you to top-up your battery in as little as 30 minutes. (Natural Resources Canada; Hydro One)
Current manufacturer warranties cover electric vehicle batteries for eight years, but they are built to last the life of your car. Over time, EV batteries will degrade, which leads to a loss of driving range. Recycling gives these batteries another life. However, there is still a lot experts are still discovering, such as the cost to replace batteries. (PlugnDrive.ca)
Norway has one of the world’s highest EV adoption rates. Tests in this Nordic country found that, on average, electric vehicles lost on average 18.5% of their official driving range in cold conditions. There are also ways to reduce these efficiency losses. For example, there are apps that enable you to pre-warm the EV battery and the car’s interior. (Autoblg.com; Consumer Reports)
That depends on the source of electricity. In Canada, most of our electricity is generated by low-emitting hydro and nuclear sources. That means EV ownership can help reduce your personal vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by 60% to 90%. Not to mention, this can result in savings of more than $1,000/year on fuel. (ChargeHub.com)