Are EVs a good choice for rural parts of Canada
Are EVs a good choice for rural parts of Canada
Posted on June 17, 2022
If you asked this question a few years ago, the answer would be "no". The first-generation EVs that were on the road did not have the range necessary to make them viable for rural parts of Canada.
The biggest reason those vehicles were not viable is the lack of charging stations throughout rural parts of Canada.
Flashforward to 2022, the number of charging stations has grown considerably, and so too, has the implementation of level 2 chargers in the majority of EV owners' homes. A level 2 charger lets the EV owner charge their vehicle at a rate of 40+/- KMs per hour.
Since these homeowners could recharge their vehicle at home, it reduced demand for the fast chargers that are used by EV owners driving long distances or those that do not have the option of charging at home.
An example of this would be drivers who live in condominiums where charging stations are not available in their complex.
Not all EVs are suitable for rural parts of Canada
There are certain parts of rural Canada where the roads are rugged, and vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe excel.
This hybrid gives you the best of both worlds; when you are commuting around town, the battery gives you all of the power you need, but when the battery is low, or you need that extra push, the 2L engine comes online and provides you the additional power needed to get the job done.
Jeep is designed for life in Canada and is a brand that has been trusted for the better part of a century. When buying a car, you want to deal with a carmaker that has a great track record, and carmakers like Jeep fit the bill.
Preparing for the harsh Canadian winter
One of the primary reasons that Canadians are reluctant to make the transition to an EV or hybrid from their current vehicle is the effects of a harsh winter.
While the cold can limit the available range of your vehicle, gas-powered cars also experience a reduction in range when the mercury drops to minus 30 degrees.
If you follow best practises like charging your vehicle and warming it up before leaving in the morning to work, you will have no issues getting through a Canadian winter with your EV.
Locking in your savings
When you make the transition from your current gas-powered vehicle to an EV, something that you will immediately enjoy is saving money on gas. Instead of spending $100+ to refuel with gasoline, you are literally spending pennies to recharge your EV.
These fuel savings, coupled with rebates offered by the federal government, make this a simple decision to make. You should contact your local dealership and find out which vehicle you qualify for before interest rates go higher and you need to pay more to service the loan.
Once you make the shift to an EV from your current gas-powered car, you will wonder why you waited so long to make the change.
When you’re ready for a car lease or loan, get in touch with the Port Colburn auto loan experts at Northway Ford for great deals on auto finance.