Are You Considering an Electric Vehicle as Your Next Car?
by Stephanie Ho Lem, CHCA Director of Living Green
Electric vehicle (EV) technology has come a long way and with climate change, there’s an urgency to increase EVs and reduce internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. My current car is an ICE vehicle with a manual transmission. A manual transmission requires you to operate a clutch and a shifter. I love my manual transmission vehicle, but it will be inevitable that I will have to give it up. With the current federal government mandate, stating that all new passenger vehicles and light trucks must be zero-emission by 2035, and 60% by 2030, my choices will be limited when it’s time to buy a new vehicle. Less and less ICE vehicles will be manufactured.
“Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault told CBC’s Power and Politics that in 2035, 100 percent of new vehicles sold would have to be electric vehicles. But people who have gas-powered engines would be able to continue using them past 2035; they just won’t be able to buy new ones.” Clearly, as a consumer I have difficulty with governments dictating choices via a mandate. So far, according to Statistics Canada, of the 1.7 million new vehicles sold in Canada in 2023, about 8.1% were electric. At this rate, EV sales may not meet those targets set out by the current federal government as 2035 is only ten years away. Another reason EV sales are slow according to a recent survey by McKinsey & Co., prospective EV buyers want the same convenience they now enjoy with ICE vehicles. The survey also indicates that respondents would rather buy at least one more traditional ICE car before switching to an EV.
As someone concerned about the environment, my next car should be electric, but convenience matters, especially accessibility of charging stations and range. At last count, there are not sufficient stations for public charging in Alberta and in adjacent provinces and the future network will not meet the surging demand. If more EVs are on the road, you have to ask would there be a lineup to access a charger and how long would it take to charge? The mandate and timelines set by governments are ambitious.
In the interim, I fall into the same category as those respondents who would rather buy one more traditional ICE vehicle before buying an EV. Having concern for polluting emissions, a hybrid car can run on electric energy and emit fewer emissions. I will likely commit to an EV purchase, but for the interim I am leaning towards a hybrid vehicle for some of the following reasons.
• Not enough minerals for EV batteries. Manufacturers can construct 17 hybrid batteries with materials necessary to make one EV battery.
• EVs are more expensive to buy and maintain. Living in Calgary, we have huge variances in temperatures (+30 degrees Celsius in summer and -40 degrees Celsius in winter) that will impact battery performance and lifespan.
• Because of their weight, they chew through tires about 40% faster. Important to rotate tires.
• EVs are more expensive to insure because they cost so much more to repair if they are involved in an accident.
• EVs may save on gas bills but batteries need more attention. To increase the life of the battery, never drain it, but keep it optimal at 20% to 80%.
Do your homework, as more information is available to help with your choice.
Please note that the content provided is for informational purposes.
Sources: Calgary Herald “Global mandates for EV sales are doomed to fail”; CBC News posted Dec 20, 2023; McKinsey & Co. Survey “Exploring consumer sentiment on electric vehicle, Jan 9, 2024”
Click here to the Crescent Heights Community News home page for the latest Crescent Heights community updates.
