Will an electric vehicle fit your lifestyle?

Maybe you decided you wanted to buy an EV to help reduce your environmental footprint. Perhaps you’re looking to save money on gas for school runs or a long commute?

Or are you dreaming about a Tesla: sustainable, futuristic, able to accelerate faster than most supercars, and capable of longer distances on one charge?

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.

There’s a growing number of different EV models available in B.C., now including many 5-seater SUVs. 

If you’re looking to drive an EV that can carry more people or cargo, 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, you could also consider exploring a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) instead. Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi and Volvo currently all offer PHEVs suited to larger families.

Home charging is by far the most popular way to charge an EV. 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 charge, and invest in installing 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 in that situation, check out the EV rebates for apartment/condo buildings, and Metro Vancouver's evcondo.ca for ideas and advice.

Public charging

Of course, you can also take advantage of the over 2,500 public EV charging stations across the province, many of which are fast chargers. A fast charger can charge the average EV battery to 80% in 30 to 40 minutes. 

Learn more about EV charging

There's no doubt that in B.C., the combination of a significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs makes switching to an EV add up to big long term savings. But with any big purchase, it’s important consider all the costs of long-term ownership. Particularly for an EV, it’s also important to know how to look after your battery.