Still unsure if you should switch gears and go electric? Check out the many benefits of driving an EV and ask yourself these five questions to decide if an EV is right for you.
Benefits
Lower Fuel Costs
Performance Benefits
Environmentally Friendly
Reduced Maintenance
No Gas Means More Convenience
Owner Perks
Lower Fuel CostsElectricity is a cheaper source of fuel than gas. Fuel costs are approximately 70% lower for an all-electric and 50% lower for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, compared to a conventional vehicle.
Check out our Fuel Savings Calculator to find out the potential savings from driving an EV.
Performance BenefitsElectric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and instant acceleration. If you’ve never driven an EV, you’ll probably be surprised at how quiet and powerful it can be.
Hear from local EV owners about their driving experiences.
Environmentally FriendlyEVs are environmentally friendly because they do not produce tailpipe emissions containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases. The transportation sector in Newfoundland and Labrador represents 32% of provincial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Check out our Carbon Reduction Calculator to compare CO2 emissions for conventional and electric vehicles.
Reduced MaintenanceAll-electric vehicles require less maintenance than conventional vehicles because there are less fluids to change (like oil and transmission fluid) and fewer mechanical moving parts. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have a gas and electric motor, so they still require the standard maintenance of a regular gas-powered vehicle, but far less frequently. And because of regenerative braking, brake systems on EVs also typically last longer than on conventional vehicles.
Learn more at Charging and Maintenance.
No Gas Means More ConvenienceAll-electric vehicles do not require gas! The majority of your charging would probably take place at the convenience of your home. EVs can also be charged at your workplace if there’s a charger or at public charging stations throughout the province. In fact, over 95% of charging happens at home or at work. But regardless of where you choose to charge your EV, you plug it in and leave it. You’ll no longer have to stand outside to pump gas. Plug-in hybrids have a gas motor and would require some gas.
Learn more at Charging and Maintenance.
Owner PerksThere are a few perks to being an EV owner. Public charging stations are often convenient parking spaces and sometimes offer free charging. There’s also a great local community of EV drivers who are willing to share learned experiences and information with current and potential EV owners. If you drive an EV we encourage you to join our EV Drivers Club: Go Electric! When you join, you’ll receive a free welcome package, invites to events, volunteer opportunities, E(V)-newsletters for all the latest info, chances to share your EV wisdom and so much more.
Join our EV Drivers Club: Go Electric!
How to determine if an EV is right for you
Is your daily commute under 400 km?
Most of today’s all-electric vehicles have a driving “range-per-charge” between approximately 80 and 400 km. Range refers to the number of kilometres an EV will travel before the battery needs to be recharged. The average passenger vehicle in Newfoundland and Labrador travels approximately 50 km each day. For example, if the range-per-charge for your EV is 160 km and your daily commute is 50 km, you should be able to go about 3 days between charges (50 km + 50 km + 50 km = 150 km). EV range varies significantly between models, but if your daily commute is less than 400 km, there’s likely an EV model that will fit your lifestyle.
Check out our Commute Calculator to see potential fuel savings based on your daily commute.
Do you want to save money on fuel AND pollute less?
EVs cost less to drive because of lower fuel and maintenance costs and also pollute less. An EV uses electricity that is generated from sources that are cleaner than burning gas or diesel in a vehicle. Check out our Carbon Reduction Calculator to compare CO2 emissions for conventional and electric vehicles and our Fuel Savings Calculator to find out the potential savings from driving an EV. With a growing number of affordable models of all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including previously owned options, more and more drivers are choosing to go electric.
Do you have off-street parking at your home?
EVs require charging, the bulk of which happens at home. Charging can be done with a standard 120 volt outlet or you can have a Level 2 240 volt charger installed in your garage or driveway. However, if you have on-street parking and can’t always park your EV close to your house, relying on home charging may be challenging.
Learn more at Charging and Maintenance.
Does your household have more than one car?
If you live in a household with more than one car, an EV likely represents an opportunity for your family to save on fuel, while improving the quality of our environment. Use an EV for commuting and use the other vehicle for longer drives.
Do you rarely take long road trips?
Public charging infrastructure and battery technology is continually improving, but planning is still required for long trips. There are many all-electric models available with a range-per-charge of 80 to 400 km. There are some high-end EVs that can get over 400 km on a single charge. If you frequently take long road trips and do not have a second vehicle, owning only an EV could pose some challenges.
If you answered YES to all these questions, an EV may be right for you. Learn more at Choosing an EV.
Ready to choose your EV? Click here to get started!
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1,240
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And those numbers are only expected to grow!
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