There are some items to consider when shopping for an Electric Vehicle. How much range do you need? How will you charge it? What EV-specific features are available? How much does it cost to maintain? How are they warrantied? Should I buy new or used? Let’s discuss below.

Check out the EVCO Buyer’s Guide for details on available EVs in Canada.

Range

Most importantly, consider your daily driving habits. The average Canadian drives 40-50 km a day.

Modern EVs boast ranges of 300-800 km. During your research, look for the Transport Canada range estimate online, or on the window sticker.

Questions to consider:

  • How much do you drive in a day?
  • Do you take longer road trips, and how often?
  • How much will temperature affect my range? (This can vary between models, and driving style)
  • Can I charge at home, or somewhere convenient?

Learn more about EV range, and how to optimize it

How to charge

There are many ways to charge your EV: A home or public Level 2/240V charger, public Level 3/DC Fast Chargers, or even Level 1/120V at home.

Charging at home is the most convenient and economical option, but it is possible to own an EV and charge only at public chargers.

Learn more about different charging speeds and equipment

Maximum charging speed

Every EV has a maximum charging rate, measured in kW (Kilowatts). Manufacturers will often represent this in advertising in minutes. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is advertised to be capable of charging from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes. This assumes you are charging at a Level 3/DC Fast Charging station under optimal conditions.

There are many factors that affect actual charging speeds, such as outside and battery temperatures, charger speeds, etc.

Check the EV’s specifications to determine the rated speeds.

Maintenance

Fully electric EVs require little maintenance. With about 90% fewer moving parts than an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle, and no regular oil changes, you’ll spend less time and money at the garage.

Here are some typical service and maintenance items for an EV. This varies across manufacturers, so refer to the manual or online schedule when shopping.

  • Inspections
    • Typically annually, or kilometre-based
  • Brake fluid or coolant changes
    • Usually very long intervals in years or kilometres
  • Tires
    • EVs can wear tires slightly more quickly than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, but new EV tire technology is extending their life
  • Brakes
    • With regenerative braking, the regular “friction” brakes can last a very long time, often into six digits of kilometres
    • They may require an occasional service, such as cleaning, lubrication, etc.
  • 12v “Starter” battery
    • This battery is similar to that in an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle, and is responsible for running the heating/cooling systems, radio, and other electronic components other than the drive motor(s). There is no special maintenance required, but may need to be replaced over time, just like an ICE vehicle.
  • High-voltage, “traction” battery
    • There is no special maintenance required for this. All modern EVs have sophisticated Battery Management Systems (BMS) that constantly monitor the charge level and temperature.
  • Other
    • Like any vehicle, this includes wipers, washer fluid, and cabin air filters.

Heat Pump

One way to mitigate range loss in the Winter is to purchase an EV with a heat pump. This technology captures heat from the air, even at temperatures below zero. An EV heat pump is more efficient and, therefore, uses less electricity from the traction battery. Otherwise, an EV will use solely a resistive heater, which is similar to baseboard electric heating in buildings.

A heat pump may or may not be included with every EV, so it’s best to check the specifications of the vehicle you’re looking at.

Do you need a Heat Pump? There is a lot of debate within the EV community, but if maximum range in all seasons is desired, then consider this option.

V2X – Vehicle to Load, Vehicle to Home, Vehicle to Grid

Some EVs allow you to power electrical devices from the vehicle’s traction battery. This feature varies by manufacturer and trim level.

What’s available now – V2L (Vehicle to Load)

Some EVs, such as some models and trims from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Ford, and Rivian (check their specifications to be sure), come with adapters or built-in 120V regular household electrical sockets. This is called Vehicle to Load (V2L).

It allows you use your EV to power devices such as refrigerators, lights, etc. during blackouts or camping as examples. On a full battery, this could last for days or weeks.

What’s coming soon – V2H (Vehicle to Home) & V2G (Vehicle to Grid)

Vehicle to Home (V2H) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) are currently being tested in Canada, but no widespread equipment and safety approvals have been introduced for mainstream usage yet.

V2H uses a “bi-directional charger” that allows electricity to flow from your car to your home electrical panel at 240V. This could then be used to power your house, or at least some circuits, during outages, or for peak-shaving. Peak-shaving is when you charge your EV during low-cost hours, or via solar, and use that cheap electricity to “shave” your electricity usage during expensive high-peak rate hours.

V2G is similar to V2H, but instead, can send electricity to your local power grid. In other parts of the world where this is already in use, the local utility typically pays you a premium for this electricity.

Warranty

New EV Warranties

All new EVs sold in Canada will come with a minimum 8-year/160,000km warranty for the Battery. Different manufacturers may also include other components under this warranty.

EVCO recommends reviewing the fine print of any warranty to understand the specifics.

Extended Warranties

Purchasing an extended warranty is a personal choice. EVs have about 90% fewer moving parts than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, so there should be fewer issues after the base warranty expires, but some components could be costly to repair or replace.

It’s always a good idea to thoroughly review what is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure you are not paying for something already covered (such as the 8yr/160,000km battery warranty). If you are interested in an extended warranty, we recommend purchasing directly from the manufacturer if possible.

New vs. Used

Much like ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, this can come down to your budget and needs.

New EV Considerations

  • A new vehicle with the latest technology
  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • May be eligible for a Government rebate
  • More variety of colours and options

Used EV Considerations

  • Can save you tens of thousands of dollars compared to new
  • May have the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty
  • Defects/recalls may have already been completed

Some shoppers are hesitant to consider a used EV, usually due to concerns about the condition of the battery. The good news is there are ways to test the health of an EV battery. Ask the seller to provide this data, or you can test on your own with an OBD dongle and phone app (Feel free to contact EVCO for advice).

EVCO’s advice for Used EV shoppers: Quebec is the largest EV market in Canada, so there is more selection of Used EVs available there compared to Ontario. When researching, expand your search to include Gatineau and even Montreal.