It’s an electric wave: The number of electric vehicles in Quebec just grew by 12% in one month

You could see it coming at the Quebec City and Montreal Electric Vehicle Shows. And by the questions members have been asking when they call our Automotive Advisory Services. It was practically a given when the federal government announced its new financial incentives. And now it’s here. An electric wave has rolled across Quebec, with the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads jumping 12% in May to 50,000⁽¹⁾. 

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! 50,000 EVs out of a total of 4.8 million vehicles registered in Quebec is but a drop in the ocean, so to speak. But when the province goes from 44,500 to 50,000 vehicles in just 30 days, that’s not too shabby! That’s a 12% increase, a far cry from the usual 5% or so per month. It also means Quebec is halfway to its goal of 100,000 EVs, and the province could quite realistically reach it sometime next summer. Who would’ve believed it? 

The savings people were waiting for

How do you explain this sudden surge? It’s simple. The federal government had announced new incentives for EV buyers in its spring budget in March, but the measure didn’t go into effect until May 1. Everyone chomping at the bit to get their EVs rushed to sign on the dotted line as soon as May hit. 

“At CAA-Quebec we decided to get ahead of the game with EVs, and when you see how many people are buying in, that encourages us to do even more. We’re supporting EV training in our approved service centres, offering mobile recharging with our specially adapted Hyundai IONIQs, and integrating electromobility at our Inspection Centres, our Automotive Advisory Services, everywhere!” says Pierre-Serge Labbé, CAA-Quebec Vice President, Automotive Services. 

The five most frequently asked questions about EVs at CAA-Quebec Automotive Advisory Services, with answers from agent Maxime Dubois

How long does it take to recharge an EV?

It depends on the size of the battery and the type of charging station. Fully recharging an all-electric vehicle on a standard 110-volt outlet will easily take a day. You can cut that to about ten hours with a 240-volt home charging station. And with a fast charging station, you can get 250 km of range in an hour. Charging times are shorter for plug-in hybrids. 

What’s the difference between a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and an electric vehicle?

• Traditional hybrid: Vehicle has a gas-powered engine and an electric motor that work together. It needs both. 
• Plug-in hybrid: Same principle as the hybrid, with two motors, but the battery is more powerful and can be plugged into a charging station. This type of vehicle can operate in all-electric mode for 20 km or more before needing to draw power from its gas engine. 
• Electric: A vehicle that only has one motor, an electric one. 

What government incentives are available?

You can get up to $13,000 in rebates—$8,000 at the provincial level and $5,000 at the federal—when you buy or lease a new electric vehicle, and $6,500 for a plug-in hybrid. There are also incentives for used EVs. 

Can I travel long distances with an EV?

Absolutely! You just have to stop to fill up from time to time, as you would with a conventional car. With an EV, you don’t stop at a gas station but a charging station (see the Electric Circuit). It requires a little more planning, since you generally need to make longer, more frequent stops than with a gas-powered vehicle. Just take advantage of the break to stretch your legs or grab a bite to eat! 

How do you install a charging station at home?

This is important, since home is where you charge your EV most often. Budget between $1,000 and $1,500 for the station. It has to be installed by an electrician. Quebec’s Roulez vert program pays you up to $600 in total for the purchase and installation of a charging station.

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^{(1) Source: Electric Circuit}