More than half of Canadians say they won’t buy a fully electric vehicle
Electric vehicles may be trendy and good for the planet, but over half of all Canadians asked said they are unlikely to consider buying one as their next vehicle.
Canadians are interested in hybrids, which offer a gas and electric combination, but while fully electric vehicles are getting better all the time, the majority said they wouldn't want an electric vehicle (EV) that only plugs in.
The survey found our neighbours to the south in the U.S. are actually more interested in buying electric vehicles than Canadians are.
According to market research company JD Power Canada a survey found that 53 per cent of Canadians said they're “very unlikely” or “somewhat unlikely” to consider an electric vehicle.
While in the U.S. 59 per cent of Americans said they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider an EV for their next purchase.
J.D. Ney, Director of Automotive Research and Consulting with J.D. Power Canada said that “the cost is going to remain a significant barrier to EV ownership in Canada.”
While a $5,000 federal incentive remains for EV buyers, in Ontario EV rebates were scrapped by the Ontario government four years ago and across the country some provinces offer them while others don't.
About 61 per cent said they are unlikely to buy an electric vehicle based on price.
Another reason Canadians are concerned about going all electric is our long Canadian winters and extreme temperatures which could affect performance.
“In Canada it’s cold for half of the year and everyone knows what happens to batteries when it’s cold outside” said Ney.
The survey found Americans are less concerned about range issues, but Canadians remain worried they could run out of power before they get to where they need to go.
About 65 per cent said they're unlikely to buy an electric vehicle based on their range anxiety.
Another reason many Canadians don't want to switch to an pure EV is because they've never driven or even sat in one, but research shows once they do they're more open to EV ownership.
“Manufacturers should really let Canadians get into their EV vehicles so they can experience them for themselves” said Ney.
Even with gas prices at over 2 dollars a litre many drivers may need more information and financial incentives before they go completely electric.
The survey found the province with the most interest in switching to electric vehicles is British Columbia at 59 per cent, Ontario drivers seemed to be on the fence and around 47 per cent and the residents of Atlantic Canada are least interested in going all electric at 35 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.