With prices soaring, some Canadians may be considering an electric vehicle for their next car purchase, something the Liberal government was planning in its federal budget on Thursday. Ottawa has pledged $ 3 billion to make electric vehicles more affordable, including building a network of charging stations, and $ 3.8 billion for a mineral strategy, including critical materials needed to build batteries. For first-time buyers of electric cars, navigating the technology and the costs associated with the market can seem daunting. Here’s expert advice that Canadians need to know before buying a zero-emission vehicle.

COSTS AND DISCOUNTS

Although more affordable options are beginning to enter the market, electric vehicles generally cost more in advance than most traditional gas-powered vehicles. While the starting price of an electric vehicle may come as a shock to some buyers, studies show that over time, electric vehicle owners save more money than gas-powered vehicle owners. A March 30 report from Clean Energy Canada, a research team at Simon Fraser University Dialogue Center, compared the cost of owning six popular electric car models with the cost of owning gas-powered equivalents. According to the report, even on Prince Edward Island – the province with the most expensive electricity – the price to fully charge a 2022 Chevy Bolt electric vehicle is around $ 12.61. In Quebec, the lowest priced province, a full charge on the same vehicle would cost about $ 5.46. “What we found was that in every comparison we made, the electric car came out cheaper than alternative gas,” Mark Zacharias, Clean Energy Canada expert consultant, told CTV News Vancouver. The study also notes that these estimates are conservative, based on the average gas prices in Canada in 2021, at $ 1.31 per liter. But with gas prices reaching $ 2 a liter in some parts of Canada by 2022, those savings could be even greater. Tim Burrows, a volunteer who started Mississauga, Ont. Electric Vehicle Society and produces training presentations and online seminars on electric vehicle ownership, said concerns about high hydraulic cost costs are a misconception about electric vehicle ownership. “Electricity is expensive in our lives,” Burrows said. “It’s a cost of living that no one likes, but when you compare it to the cost of petrol, it’s a good bargain.” A similar study by Consumer Reports in 2020 also suggests that the savings of an electric vehicle owner’s life is far greater than the savings of a gas-powered vehicle owner. According to the study, a typical zero-emission vehicle owner who does most of his home charging can expect to save an average of $ 800 to $ 1,000 a year on fuel costs compared to a similar petrol car. The study also suggests that maintenance and repairs on an electric vehicle also cost about half as much as a gas vehicle during the life of the car, which also increases the average resale value of the electric vehicle over its gas competitor. . Both studies note that government rebates can also help buyers reduce the initial cost of an electric vehicle, which Consumer Reports notes can cost from 10 percent to more than 40 percent more than a similar model alone. gasoline. Discounts are available federally in Canada and many counties offer discounts on an electric vehicle as well as any charging equipment or home upgrades that may be needed. Zero-emission vehicles have been around for a long time, so electric cars can be purchased second-hand to save money. In Canada, however, used models are currently in high demand and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find many new electric vehicles that are subject to supply chain problems. But if you can get a used car, Burrows said that in some jurisdictions in Canada, discounts also apply to used electric cars. “It’s a question of affordable price,” Burrows said. “But you can breathe knowing that you will be ahead of the game next time.” There are other ways to reduce the initial cost, such as choosing a smaller electric vehicle model or one with a shorter range per full charge, but the buyer’s driving habits and needs should be taken into account in these decisions.

DRIVING NEEDS

When it comes to deciding which electric vehicle is right for you, Burrows said you need to consider how often you drive and how far. “It’s a bit like any car – ask yourself, ‘What do I use it for?’ said Burrows. For those who do not drive much, such as people who work from home or those who mainly use their car for short trips and work, a model of electric vehicle with less autonomy will be enough and will help save money. However, drivers who use their vehicles frequently for longer distances need to consider a few things when deciding which model to buy. Travelers traveling on the road or long-distance commuters will want to look for batteries that hold a longer charge to extend how far you can travel before you need to stop. Electric vehicles are available in a variety of ranges. For example, Nissan advertises that its Leaf model offers up to 363 kilometers on a full charge. Hyundai advertises that the Kona offers up to 415 kilometers. and Tesla advertises that the Model S offers up to 637 kilometers. These estimates are often calculated using the maximum performance of a car, so drivers should expect slightly less autonomy in actual use. Burrows also said that not every electric car is able to take full advantage of the speed at which you can charge your vehicle at a fast charging station, so frequent travelers should consider charging speeds when choosing a model. The speed at which cars charge varies depending on the model and the condition of the battery. Burrows said the first 70 percent of a battery charge tends to happen faster than the last 30 percent. However, some models will even send notifications to your phone when you’ve charged enough to get to your destination, which means you do not have to wait for a full charge before you go out on the road again. “You can do a few hundred miles easily in about 20 minutes, maybe less,” Burrows said. “It’s not like the old petrol car model where you go to the gas station and refuel. You don’t have to do that; just get what you need and get started.”

WINTER WEATHER ELEMENTS

When it comes to winter driving, Burrows said Canadian consumers should consider battery-powered models that can handle lower temperatures without compromising your range. Finding a model of electric vehicle with thermal management will protect your battery from being depleted at low temperatures, which could reduce the distance you can travel before you need another charge. “They work well – they’re 100 percent reliable and the rest – but you have to think about losing range during the really extreme temperatures we can have,” Burrows said. Thermal management also protects your battery from loss of range if your battery gets hot during fast charging or when driving long distances. Before deciding on a model, Burrows suggests calculating how far you normally drive and using it to determine how much autonomy you need for your electric vehicle. “What I’m telling people is, ‘Understand it, and then, if there is still room in the budget, you can buy an even wider range,’” he said. “You will not go wrong with buying a little more range. But it is calmer than anything else.” But Burrows added that for many drivers, the autonomy of an electric vehicle does not have to be stressful. Most people’s driving needs should be met by many of the electric models on the market, especially when you can comfortably refuel your vehicle daily at home if needed. “It’s nothing to worry about or be afraid of,” he said. “It’s exactly the way technology works.”

CHARGING AT HOME

Charging your vehicle at home can, in some cases, be as easy as connecting it. “You’re not going to charge it to one of these public chargers very often,” Burrows said. “Very rarely are you going to charge it anywhere other than home because it is so convenient. It takes 10 seconds to connect it and you can get your business up and running. You wake up every morning with a full tank.” In some homes, Burrows said a standard power outlet might be enough to charge your car – it will be slower than other charging settings, but the advantage is that you can leave it plugged in overnight. For some older homes or for those who want faster charging, upgrades to your electrical system may be required to support an electric vehicle. Some homeowners may need to hire an electrician to install a 240 volt socket – such as those used for ovens and dryers – where the car will be parked most often. Depending on how many large appliances you have connected to your home electrical panel, such as a whirlpool or generator, you may also need to upgrade your home electrical panel to fit everything. Burrows estimates that these upgrades could cost around $ 1,500 to $ 2,000, but that depends on how much work is needed. If your home needs upgrades, some counties offer discounts for charging home settings in addition to the discounts for the vehicle itself. If you are renting your own home or living in a condominium or apartment building, you may want to consider additional steps when planning how to charge your vehicle. In Ontario, Burrows said there are formal, documented steps to submitting a request to your apartment board for what you need to charge your vehicle. The apartment boards in the province are obliged to examine your request and, if they refuse it, they must provide proof at their own expense from an expert that …