5 frequently asked questions about electric cars

1- How do I choose the right type of electric vehicle?

From fully electric to plug-in hybrid, there’s an electric vehicle out there for everyone. So which one should you choose? The important thing is to consider your own needs and ask yourself the right questions:

• Will your EV be the primary vehicle for your household or a second car?
• How many passengers will you have?
• What kind of equipment will you need to carry on a regular basis (e.g., hockey bag, stroller, suitcases)?
• How much range will you need for your daily travels?
• Will it be possible to install a charging station at your house?
• Do you have access to a 120-volt exterior outlet? If not, is it possible to have one installed?
• Will you be driving mostly in the city or on the highway?
• Does your workplace have charging stations?

Fully electric vehicles

Fully electric models are silent, powerful, and efficient without emitting any greenhouse gases. You can charge up at home and then use public charging stations on longer trips. The battery range is constantly increasing too: you can now travel 300 to 500 km on a single charge.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles

Plug-in hybrid models run on electricity and only switch to gasoline when necessary. As soon as the battery runs out of juice, the gas engine kicks in automatically. So you can travel hundreds of kilometres on a single tank of gas. A plug-in hybrid requires the same maintenance as a car powered only by a combustion engine, but it costs less than a fully electric vehicle.

Conventional hybrid vehicles

Conventional hybrids are not eligible for government rebates, as this model is more of an electrified vehicle than an electric vehicle. However, this is still the most affordable option at the time of purchase. Like a plug-in hybrid car, the classic hybrid has two engines, which means you can save up to 30% on gasoline compared to a regular car.

Which electric vehicle is right for you?

*Replace the second vehicle with a fully electric model to get to work and do the shopping, and keep the family gas-powered vehicle for longer trips and weekends.

Learn more about each type of electric vehicle (what’s the difference between hybrid and electric?) and check out different models of each one. Also read Five questions to ask yourself before buying your first electric vehicle.

2- Are electric vehicles really expensive?

The real question here is: How much does an electric car really cost? When shopping for an EV, you should consider the overall cost of the vehicle (purchase price AND the cost of use). Contrary to popular belief, an electric vehicle is no more expensive than an equivalent gas-powered vehicle.

Here’s a look at the savings possible when buying and using an EV:

• A government rebate on the purchase or lease of a new electric vehicle
• Financial assistance from the Quebec government when you purchase a 240-volt home charging station
• Savings on energy costs of up to 75% Savings of nearly $1,600 after 20,000 km in an EV compared to a vehicle that consumes 8 litres of gas every 100 km
• Savings on maintenance costs, adding up to about $500 annually (no oil change, no replacement of the air filter, spark plugs, exhaust pipe, or gas tank, less wear of brake pads and discs thanks to regenerative braking, etc.)
• Little maintenance required for the electric drive system components
• Lower rates on electric vehicle insurance (including from CAA-Quebec).

To get the most value out of an electric vehicle, you have to drive it!

If you’re only driving 10,000 km or less per year, you will need to keep your EV for a long time to make up for the purchase price difference, which is still very real compared to the price of an equivalent gasoline model. If you drive a minimum of 20,000 km a year, it will probably only take two to four years to offset the extra cost through energy savings.

Used electric cars: A great way to save

You can also get into the world of electric cars by buying a used model. There are government subsidies for used electric vehicles too, under certain conditions.

But you have to do your homework before purchasing, especially when it comes to the battery.

• Take a test drive;
• Consult the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights (RDPRM)
• Get a complete vehicle history report from CARFAX
• Take the vehicle you’re thinking of buying to a CAA-Quebec authorized Vehicle Inspection Centre.

Check out our guide to buying a used electric car.

3- What is the range of an electric car?

DNowadays, it’s common to see electric vehicles with a range of 400 or even 500 km, which is very close to that of a gas-powered vehicle. Two out of three Canadians drive no more than 65 km a day between their commute, errands, and school drop-offs, which means that the range of today’s EVs is more than enough to meet the needs of the vast majority of motorists.

However, you need to know how to manage your EV’s range, especially in the coldest parts of winter or when you’re carrying heavy loads (roof box, bicycles, etc.). It’s up to you to find out how many kilometres you can actually drive in your electric car. A few tips: Drive a little more conservatively and keep the car plugged in when not in use or when it’s cold (bonus: the cab will already be warm when you get in!).

4- How long will the battery on your electric vehicle last?

EVs are equipped with high-voltage batteries (usually lithium ion). Major breakdowns are rare, which is fortunate because this component is very expensive. It is therefore very important to look at the warranty on an electric vehicle and its battery, which is generally eight years/160,000 km for the electric or hybrid drive system.

You also need to think about general maintenance to keep your EV running for a long time. While you don’t need to maintain an electric car as frequently as a traditional car—and when you do, it’s less expensive and less complicated—it’s still a car! You will still need to:

• Clean the brakes once or twice a year
• Change the tires
• Check the suspension
• Apply rustproofing (recommended but not mandatory)
• Etc.

5- Are electric vehicles really environmentally friendly?

Yes, an electric vehicle is an environmentally friendly car. But this conclusion is based on the entire life cycle of an EV, from design to disposal.

We often hear that the manufacturing of electric vehicles is harmful to the environment. For the time being, this is true: building EVs requires the use of metals that are difficult to extract, especially in the composition of batteries. For example, the production of nickel emits a lot of greenhouse gases and the production of cobalt raises significant human and geopolitical issues. Some materials also require highly toxic treatments that are almost exclusively done in China.

However, the lifespan of an EV is more important than the time it took to manufacture it. In Quebec, where energy is renewable, EVs have a much smaller environmental footprint than gasoline models.

Progress in battery recycling (Quebec has made significant advancements) and the recovery of metals that are difficult to extract are also gradually reducing the negative effects on the environment.

How can you reduce your car’s environmental footprint?

Manufacturing a new vehicle, whether it’s electric or gas-powered, will always generate pollution. So it is far better to keep a vehicle for a long time than to change it regularly (e.g., every four years). That’s even if it means keeping a gas-powered vehicle for a few more years (if it’s well maintained), instead of rushing to replace it with an electric vehicle. This will help reduce the environmental impact of your car, electric or not!

Do you own an electric vehicle, plan to buy one, or just want to learn more about them? Visit our Electric Mobility section to check out our tips, road tests, services, and discounts for members, as well as our Sans détour podcast, an eight-part series on electric mobility.