Myth-busting: Electric vehicles

So range or how far a vehicle can go on one charge can be affected by the cold, “in terms of snow and wet weather that doesn’t affect the car at all, it’s really just the question about range,” said Bob Gammer, Community Relations Manager for BC Hydro Northern BC “range is growing, all newer vehicles…have more and more range.”

Savings is another large factor, according to Bennett. BC Hydro estimates that the cost to drive 20,000 kms in a Nissan Leaf a year costs $490 vs. a gas-powered car which costs just under four times as much at $1,880.

“I pay the equivalent of $0.20 a litre to drive this vehicle (2016 Nissan Leaf) it’s about $0.02 a kilometre.” –Doug Beckett

He does admit that electric vehicles can come at a bit of a steeper price than your average gas or diesel due to extra bonuses that come with the making of an electric car but says that the savings outweigh those costs.

As for what demographic best suits an EV, Beckett says they’re for everyone but recommends that two-vehicle families make the switch to one electric vehicle for the savings they will see. Mentioning that buying used is a great way to enter the electric vehicle market, “you don’t need the highest tech…if it’s going to be your local commute vehicle go for the older technology.”

BC Hydro says that over the past several months ten percent of vehicles sold have been electric.

by Veronica Beltran

Myth-busting: Electric vehicles

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