Will an electric vehicle fit my lifestyle?

5 questions to ask yourself before buying an EV

• 1. Why am I buying an EV?

  Maybe you decided you wanted to buy an EV because you feel it's a great way to help fight climate change. But maybe taking public transportation makes more sense than adding another vehicle to the roads?

  Maybe you're thinking about an EV as a second vehicle to save money on gas for school runs or a long commute. But maybe a small, fuel-efficient gas-powered car or a car share membership be a better option?

  Or maybe you've been dreaming about a Tesla: sustainable, futuristic, able to accelerate faster than most supercars, and capable of longer distances on one charge. But even with rebates, are you going to be able to easily afford the purchase price or monthly payments?

  Knowing exactly why you want an EV and what benefits you're expecting will ultimately help you make a decision that you'll be happy with for years to come.

• 2. Is there an EV that fits my needs?

  While the amount of different EVs available in B.C. has grown considerably over the last couple of years, many of them are still mid-size cars. The only EV currently available that compares to a large SUV or minivan is the Tesla Model X, which starts at over $100,000. And while there's buzz from various manufacturers about electric pickup trucks, it's not clear exactly when they'll become available, or what kind of loads and distances they'll be capable of.

  For now though, if you want to drive an EV that can carry more people or cargo, you might need to explore a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) instead. Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi and Volvo currently all offer PHEVs suited to larger families.

• 3. Am I happy with waiting for a car to charge?

  If you'd be able to do the bulk of your charging while you're at home sleeping or busy at work, this is a non-issue. But if not, then you'll need to be comfortable with waiting 30 minutes at a fast charger or up to 2 hours at a public Level 2 charger (assuming there isn't a lineup). While you're waiting, you could obviously relax and grab a coffee or lunch, walk the dog, or perhaps do some shopping. Maybe that's not an issue on a sunny weekend. But what about in the winter, on a road trip with your kids?

• 4. Is my home or condo equipped with a place to plug in?

  Home charging is by far the most popular form of EV charging. Many owners just plug into a standard electric outlet, even if they need an extension cord to make it happen. Others want a much faster Level 2 charger, and spend $800 to $2,000 to install a Level 2 charger at home.

  Some stratas have jumped at the chance to provide charging options for apartment/condo owners, but many are still working on it. If you're a condo owner in that situation, check out Metro Vancouver's evcondo.ca for ideas and advice.

• 5. Is an electric vehicle a good investment?

  There's no doubt that in B.C., the combination of a significant reduction in fuel costs and much lower maintenance costs, add up to big long term savings. But, depending on which EV model you choose, the purchase price can end up much higher than an equivalent gas-powered car.

  Much of this high price is due to the battery, which is arguably the most expensive replacement item on an EV. Many EVs come with a battery pack capacity loss warranty of 5 to 8 years, but it definitely pays to know how to look after your battery and to consider all the costs of long term ownership.