Bust the myths behind electric vehicles.
Cost
Environment
Performance
Charging
Range
add_circleElectric cars need less maintenance
Fact:
Fully electric cars do not require oil changes, transmissions or exhaust systems and the average EV driver can save hundreds of dollars per year on maintenance. Electric motors are much more durable than gas engines and only have one moving part. This means far less breaks down or goes wrong.
add_circleElectric cars have a lower cost of ownership
Fact:
With electricity and gas prices where they are today, EVs are ¼ the cost to drive than a gas car and your typical EV driver saves $1,500-$2,000 per year on fuel. Many jurisdictions offer peak-pricing, meaning the cost of electricity is low at night and on weekends when most of your charging takes place.
add_circleElectric cars are more expensive to buy
Fact:
Most electric cars fall in the $30,000 to $45,000 range. In most cases, this is slightly more expensive than an equivalent gas car. However, some Canadian provinces have financial incentives in place to help bring this cost down. EVs are also much cheaper to operate and maintain than gas cars, so although your upfront may be slightly higher, your overall cost of ownership is significantly lower.
add_circleElectric car batteries need to replaced
Fiction:
EV Batteries are designed to last the lifespan of the car and it is unlikely that you will need to replace them. That said, EV batteries will degrade over time, which will have an effect on your total driving range. In addition, EV batteries are warrantied by the auto manufacturers for eight years.
add_circleElectric cars reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution
Fact:
While it is true that power plants produce emissions, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions depends entirely on the source of electricity. Most of Canada’s electricity comes from Hydro and Nuclear, which are both low-emitting sources, and the average EV driver in Canada can reduce their vehicle’s greenhouse gas emissions by 60-90% depending on whether or not you drive a fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric car and the sources of electricity generation in your province.
add_circleElectric car batteries are environmentally friendly
Fact:
EV batteries are made from Lithium-ion, which is the same battery used in smartphones, laptops and most rechargeable household electronics. Lithium-ion batteries are 90% recyclable and a number of companies are looking at using used EV batteries as second-life energy storage units.
add_circleElectric cars have a lower life-cycle footprint
Fact:
When you compare the total life-cycle of an EV to a gas car, from manufacturing to operation to end of life, EVs produce about half the greenhouse gas emissions as a comparable gas car. For more information on the EV life-cycle, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists.
add_circleElectric cars have better performance than gas cars
Fact:
Electric cars deliver full torque right away giving them better acceleration than gas cars. Electric cars have no problem maintaining speeds upwards of 150 km/h. Electric cars deliver a smooth ride and are completely silent when running.
add_circleElectric cars are safe
Fact:
EVs undergo the same rigorous safety tests as gas cars and are fully licensed to drive on Canada’s roads and highways. EVs come with all of the same safety features as gas cars, including airbags, rear-view cameras, lane assist warnings, etc. It can be argued that EVs are actually safer because gasoline is highly combustible and flammable.
add_circleElectric cars are comfortable
Fact:
EVs come standard with all of the same luxuries and comforts as gas cars, including: heated seats, heated steering wheels, top notch sound systems, built-in navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity and more.
add_circleElectric cars are easy to charge
Fact:
All EVs come standard with a cord set that lets you charge using a regular wall socket. Many EV drivers will install a charging station that will easily charge an EV battery from empty to full overnight. Just plug your car in, walk inside and wake up the next morning to a full charge.
add_circleElectric cars charge quickly
Fact:
While it is true that EVs can take upwards of 12 hours to fully charge, the amount of time it actually takes depends on how full the battery is. Most drivers will only use ¼ of the battery in a typical day of driving, which means it will take ¼ of the time to charge. If you install an electric vehicle charging station, you can speed up your charging time even more. In addition, a number of Canadian provinces are installing DC-Fast stations. These stations are gas station replacements designed for highway driving that will fully charge your EV from empty to 80% in 30-45 minutes.
add_circleElectric cars are supported by a robust network of public charging stations
Fact:
Most of your charging takes place at home over night when the cost of electricity is lowest. If you need to charge while on the road, Canada has over 5,000 public charging stations, many of which are DC-Quick chargers that will fully recharge your battery from empty to full in 30-45 minutes. To find a public charging station along your route, visit PlugShare or ChargeHub.
add_circleElectric cars can drive long distances
Fact:
Fully electric cars sold today travel 200+ km on a single charge. There are also several plug-in hybrids available that will travel 40-80 km on electric before switching to a gasoline engine/generator for an additional 500-900 km of gas range. If you need to take your fully electric car on a road-trip, there are numerous public charging stations called DC-Quick chargers. These chargers appear along highways and major roadways and will fully charge your battery from empty to full in 30-45 minutes.
add_circleElectric cars are great commuter cars
Fact:
Most Canadians drive 50 km or less per day, they just don’t realize it. This is well within the range of every single electric car on the market. EVs also handle traffic jams better. When you are stopped, the electric motor doesn’t draw energy from the battery, whereas gas engines are continually burning fuel, and money, the entire time. In addition, Canada has over 5,000 public charging stations. Visit PlugShare or ChargeHub to find a public station along your route.
What People Are Saying
The Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre is a great idea for spreading the word about electric cars outside of news and media events. It is also a good opportunity to showcase electric car models that are less well known by the public. Definitely worth a visit for any car or electric car enthusiast.
Extremely helpful resource for anyone interested in electric vehicles. The ability to test drive a range of cars, paired with the practical advice from the staff (many of whom are EV drivers themselves) make this place an indispensable resource for any car buyer.
Doing a good job educating the public about EVs and help in promoting them as the best sustainable solution to our car culture/mass transit that is presently dependent on fossil fuels… EVs go a long way toward ameliorating the dire effects of climate change and weaning us off our dependence on fossil fuels.”
Wondering about your stewardship of the Good Ship Earth, this is the place to start.”
A Guide to Electric Cars
Electric cars are the exact same as gas cars; they have the same performance, comfort and styling with one major difference, they use electricity instead of fossil fuel.
Electric Car Guide
