Electric Cars

(go directly to EV cost versus range chart)

Powered by Ontario’s low-carbon electricity mix, Battery Electric Vehicles reduce GHG emissions dramatically even when compared to the most efficient hybrid gasoline cars.  Electric vehicles that run 100% on electricity are technically known as BEVs ("Battery" Electric Vehicles, but more generally referred to as EVs).  EVs are extremely quiet and have high power compared to similarly priced gasoline cars.  EV chargers are easily installed at most detached homes for $1k to $2k and the fast charging network of "LEVEL 3" chargers along the major corridors highways in Canada is getting better all the time.  Many people have now driven their EVs across Canada. See the long distance EV trip summary for more info. 

There are also Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), but they are not a long term solution to the need for zero emissions vehicles to address climate change, the zero carbon solution is the pure electric EV running on zero carbon electricity.

• Using an EV instead of a gasoline car will save $10,000 to $30,000 dollars in gasoline over a ten year ownership period.  There's a spreadsheet here is you want to check the numbers for your situation. You also save money as there are no oil change costs and studies show much lower other maintenance costs.

• If you're currently driving 20,000 km/year in a vehicle that uses 10 litres/100 km of fuel, an electric vehicle will save you about $2k per year.

• In Ontario, to add 300 km of range using home EV charging will cost about $5 to $15 depending on the size of the EV, and the time of day your EV is charged.

• To add 300 km of range to an EV at the more expensive high rate Level 3 chargers on a long highway trip will cost about $10-$20 depending on how fast your EV charges. Even the most efficient hybrid gasoline cars cost about $25 to go 300 km.  

• The Oct. 2020 Consumers Report reports that EVs have much lower overall ownership cost than equivalent gasoline vehicles, about 50% less.

• On the Ontario grid, an EV will produce 0.1 to 0.2 tonnes of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in 20,000 km of driving. Contrast this with efficient hybrid cars emitting 2-3 tonnes of GHG while pickup trucks and SUVs emit 6-8 tonnes of GHGs when driven the same distance.  If we remove natural gas from the Ontario electricity grid and replace it with zero carbon energy, EVs will have even lower greenhouse gas emissions. A zero carbon grid for 2050 is currently being examined by the IESO. Here's their Dec. 2022 report.

• The IESO have published a new (March 2024) report on growth of the electricity grid to 2050.

• Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) has this website to find the range and costs for any gasoline or electric vehicle sold in Canada.

• Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) use a blend of grid-sourced electricity and gasoline. The GHG reduction they achieve is dependent on how much the owner drives with the battery versus gasoline. Although an improvement in GHG emissions over pure gasoline or hybrid vehicles, PHEVs still produce far more GHG than EVs. Look up PHEV emissions on NRCAN’s website.  PHEVs are seen as a transition technology by many low carbon path experts.

• Over their entire operating life, EVs made in the USA and operated in Ontario produce about 1/5 of the life cycle GHGs than even the most efficient gasoline-powered cars. EVs and batteries that will soon be manufactured in Ontario on our low-carbon electricity mix will have even lower life-cycle emissions. Go to the EV Myths Page for more in-depth info on this aspect of EVs.

• Not all EVs are expensive. In Ontario, a 5-passenger EV with 275-400 km range can  be purchased for $35k-$43k before taxes and the $5,000 federal rebate. The average MSRP for all cars sold in Canada is nearing $50k, so some EVs cost well below the average for new vehicles. The gasoline and maintenance savings make these lower cost EVs the cheapest new cars to own over time.

• For many people, a used EV could be just the right vehicle. There are used EVs from model year 2012. 

• It is important to know how far you want your EV to go in severe winter weather. At typical -10C winter travel, the rated NRCAN range will likely be reduced by 30-40% while at a severe -30C the range may be 50% of the rated range or even less if in deep snow. Using available battery pre-conditioning, cabin pre-heating and heated seats can minimize the loss of range in cold weather.  Keep in mind extreme cold conditions are now rare in Southern Ontario.

• Extreme hot weather such as +35C will typically reduce range by about 30%.

• Canada has a Federal $5k rebate on EVs with an MSRP below $55k or $65k depending on the type of vehicles, and B.C., Nova Scotia and Quebec have additional rebates, such as an $8k rebate in Quebec. 

• PlugnDrive in Toronto is a great place to test drive and learn more about the EVs from a wide range of manufacturers.  

• If you have a group of people who would like a presentation on electric vehicles, get in touch.