Electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Best Electric Vehicles in Canada

Is buying an electric car the next natural move for you? Our list of Top 5 electric automobiles in Canada might help you get started.


With the growth of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, such as DC fast charging that takes minutes instead of hours on the charger, you may feel it’s time to make the conversion from gas to electric.

Aside from the expanding infrastructure, today’s electric vehicles have more horsepower than ever before, have ranges that rival gasoline-powered automobiles, cost a fraction of the price to fuel and operate, and emit no direct pollutants. So now might be the best moment to invest in an electric vehicle.

What are the best electric automobiles for you? To assist you in making your decision, we’ve listed the 5 finest electric vehicles in Canada in a variety of categories, as well as what to look for in an electric vehicle.

An electric car charging

What to Look for in Great Electric Vehicles

A superb electric car has certain characteristics. There are super-fast ones and those with ranges exceeding 500 kilometres. While these features are excellent for bragging rights, they aren’t usually characteristics that make an electric vehicle the best option for you.

And please keep in mind that whatever great features an electric car has, the most important fact about it is that it’s more environment-friendly than any gasoline car.

Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. And if the electricity used to charge an EV is generated by renewable resources like wind or solar, you get an absolutely carbon-neutral EV, following the modern trend of these companies that have accepted the carbon neutrality approach to acting responsibly towards the global climate:

The following are some of the factors that go into determining the finest electric vehicle in Canada:

All-Electric Driving Range

Yes, the driving range is important when buying an electric vehicle, but not everyone requires a Tesla Model 3 Long Range with a range of 500 kilometres. To determine your base range requirements, consider your regular commute and the number of kilometres you drive outside of that commute.

The typical Canadian commute is 57 kilometres, or 114 kilometres round way. If your company has a charging station, that’s fantastic, but presume there are no other charging choices nearby.

Electric car driving range

Imagine getting groceries or driving the kids around after work, adding about 50 kilometres to the odometer. Only 164 kilometres remain before the automobile is parked and charging in your garage.

With a range of 164 kilometres, nearly every electric vehicle produced in the last few years is a viable alternative.

You should also factor in the frigid Canadian winters and their effect on the electric driving range. Temperatures below -6.7 degrees Celsius can reduce an electric vehicle’s range by 40%, according to research. This decrease in range is caused by the battery’s liquid being too cold to accept and keep a charge. Using the cabin heater to keep yourself and your passengers warm adds to the battery’s depletion.

As a result, subtract 40% from any range to account for winter driving.

Fuel Consumption Equivalent

Keep in mind that electric vehicles aren’t completely free to operate. An energy bill will rise as you charge your electric vehicle, cutting away part of those fuel savings. Granted, the cost of recharging a regular automobile will rarely exceed — or even come close to — the cost of refuelling an electric car, but it’s not a free-for-all.

Every electric car has a Le/100 km rating, which converts the energy consumption in kWh per 100 km to a fuel equivalent. One litre of gasoline equals 8.9 kWh of electricity in this equation.

Electric vehicles vs old cars

Just because a car has a long electric range doesn’t mean it has a low fuel consumption equivalent. The 2021 Tesla Model S Performance with 21-inch wheels, for example, has a super-long range of 538 kilometres, but its combined fuel consumption equivalent is 2.5Le/100 kilometres, which is among the poorest of all electric automobiles.

The 2016 Chevy Spark EV, on the other hand, has a 131-kilometre driving range, but its combined 2.0Le/100 km is among the best of all electric cars.

So, while getting a car with the correct range is important, you also want one that is efficient. If your electric car is inefficient, you may lose some of your fuel savings when charging.

Budget

Save budget by use electric vehicle

Of course, your budget matters too. Sure, we’d all love a $100,000 Tesla Model X, but most customers can’t afford one.

The average used car on the internet in July 2021 cost $28,736. When you consider that the average Canadian uses their car for nine years and spends $1,510 per year on gas, you could spend upwards of $35,000 on an electric vehicle and still save money after factoring in fuel savings.

However, these statistics do not apply to everyone in Canada, so consider your budget and usual fuel expenses to determine which pricing range is right for you.

5 Best Electric Vehicles in Canada

Let’s take a look at some of Canada’s greatest electric cars (EVs) in various categories now that you know what to look for.

Most Efficient Electric Vehicles

Models with extremely low fuel consumption equivalent ratings (Le/100 km) are included. These may not always offer the finest range, but they will help you save the most money overall.

Greatest Overall Value in an Electric Vehicle

When it comes to all-electric vehicles, range and fuel economy aren’t always the most important factors to consider, but the total value is. This is the point at which the buyer must weigh all factors, including price, range, and efficiency. They may also consider features as a possible tiebreaker in specific circumstances.

Greatest Overall Value in an Electric Vehicle

When it comes to all-electric vehicles, range and fuel economy aren’t always the most important factors to consider, but the total value is. This is the point at which the buyer must weigh all factors, including price, range, and efficiency. They may also consider features as a possible tiebreaker in specific circumstances.

Electric Vehicle Rebates to Consider

There are a few rebates available when purchasing a used electric vehicle in Canada. Sure, the major refunds on new models come from the federal government, but modestly used rebates from local governments can also assist with the entire cost.

Quebec

If you buy a qualifying used electric vehicle in Quebec, you might get a $4,000 government rebate.

Eligible models include the:

  • Chevrolet Bolt EV
  • Ford Focus Electric
  • Hyundai Ioniq Electric
  • Hyundai Kona Electric
  • Kia Niro EV
  • Kia Soul EV
  • Mitsubishi i-MiEV
  • Nissan LEAF
  • Smart ForTwo electric drive
  • Tesla Model 3 Mid-Range or Long Range
  • Volkswagen e-Golf

Ontario

Ontario has also introduced a used electric vehicle incentive scheme. Any personal-use EV with a resale sticker price of less than $50,000 before taxes will receive a $1,000 check.

You must attend a free session on Canada’s electric vehicle business to get your $1,000 incentive. This rebate does not apply to plug-in hybrid automobiles.