Buying an Electric Car: Is it a Good Idea in Ontario?

Buying an Electric Car: Is it a Good Idea in Ontario?

Posted on May 18, 2022

The car market in Canada has changed dramatically; as a consumer buying a car, you have to decide whether you are buying an internal combustion engine, hybrid, or an all-electric (EV).

With all of the options that are available, you cannot make any rash decisions without first addressing some key questions.

Are you looking for a new or used vehicle?

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Coming Spring 2022

Both hybrid and EVs are relatively new technology, so there is not a large number of used vehicles that are available in the market.

So, if you are looking for a used vehicle, then an internal combustion engine is probably your best option; for the rest of this conversation, our focus will be on buying a new vehicle.

Variables to consider when shopping for a new car

When looking at hybrids, there are two types, plug-in hybrids where you plug the vehicle in, and a battery is charged.

2021 Ford Maverick Hybrid Available at Northway Ford in Brantford

The battery is used for city driving, and once you go on the highway, the gasoline or diesel engine will come online.

Another type of hybrid is where there is a generator that charges the battery when you are on the highway; while driving in the city, where there is a lot of “stop and go” driving, the battery is the primary source of energy.

With EVs, there is no fuel source at all, energy is stored inside the battery, and as the vehicle is used, the amount of energy in the battery is discharged.

While driving the EV, on the dashboard, you will see the anticipated range of how long you can drive before the battery runs out of juice. You should never drive an EV until the battery is

completely drained; this shortens the life of the battery, so make it a rule to always charge the battery when it reaches 20%.

If you are opting for an EV, you will need to think about whether there are enough charging stations in your area of Canada.

There are new charging stations coming online monthly, but it may take quite some time before there are enough charging stations in your area.

Being green will cost you a lot of green

One of the biggest things that will surprise you is the asking price for an EV. These vehicles have complex electronics, and the raw materials that go into manufacturing the batteries are very expensive.

Source: wallbox.com - EV and gas cars comparison

You will need to have a fairly substantial income and solid credit to qualify for a car loan to purchase an EV.

The upside is you will save money on fuel and maintenance; these savings will make the investment worthwhile over the long term.

While the Internet is a good place to do research, if you are serious about buying a new car, you need to go for a test drive.

Test driving a car is the only way you will know whether the vehicle is suitable for you; the dealership will also help you secure the financing needed to buy the car, so it is your one-stop shop for a new car.

We’d love to help you buy an electric car. Simply fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP or see our selection of new and used cars at our Brantford dealership. 

Thanks for reading. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay up to date on our latest great articles!