CSA Online Benefits of an EV The most obvious benefit of electric vehicles is never having to buy gas. Any way you slice it, plugging in is cheaper than filling up. There are too many variables to come up with a universal measurement, but Hydro Ottawa puts the cost of charging an EV at about $300 per year ($25/mo.). Not directly accounting for recent record high prices at the pump, Ontario’s provincial Electric Vehicles Resources page put the fuel cost for a passenger vehicle somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500 per year. There’s also the environmental impact of fossil fuels to factor into the equation. With passenger vehicles accounting for some 45% of transportation C02 emissions worldwide, every EV on the road is one less vehicle with a fuel-burning engine and a tailpipe. Other EV benefits can include access to HOV or carpool lanes, even while flying solo. Access to HOV lanes isn’t a given but, in Ontario for example, a green vehicle plate (EVs and many hybrid vehicles are eligible) unlocks the HOV lane even if the driver is the only one in the vehicle. There are also tax and other incentives such as Canada’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program which EV purchasers may be able to take advantage of. There are other practical benefits, too; a quieter ride, generally faster acceleration and increased cargo space as compared to a similar-sized fossil fuel vehicle. Ford Mustang Mach-E Downsides of an EV The benefits of EV are many, but there are certainly downsides. Today, EVs are more expensive up front than their fossil fuel-burning counterparts. Also, range anxiety is real. While some EVs can charge in 30 to 60 minutes, this requires a public DC fast-charging station. Not all EVs support fast charging. Also, while EV infrastructure has come a long way, charging points are nowhere near as prevalent as gas stations. A cross-Canada EV road trip may be possible, but it’d take a lot of logistical planning and more than a bit of waiting around. While EV drivers don’t have to buy gas, EV batteries don’t last forever. They lose capacity over time, cutting into driveable range. Range is also reduced in cold weather. You’ll see battery manufacturer warranties for eight to 10 years and up to 160,000 km. It’s not as if the battery just stops working after that point. However, there comes a time when an EV’s battery needs to be reconditioned or replaced. And, while EVs don’t directly put emissions into the atmosphere, they’re not an environmental panacea. Mining materials for batteries – for cars, as well as smartphones and all manner of rechargeable technology – is far from a green practice. Considering this along with the manufacturing process and charging, Reuters estimated that in America, where 23% of electricity is generated by coal-fired power plants, an EV would have to travel for 21,725 km (13,500 miles) before “breaking even” on its environmental impact, as compared with a similar fossil fuel vehicle. There is no perfect equation and net, EVs are certainly a more green option. The fact remains, EVs have a heavier environmental impact up front. Tesla Model X interior Will EVs Overtake? With EV sales showing steady growth, improving technology “under the hood” and growing infrastructure to support EVs, they’re already much more visible on Canadian roads. Fossil fuels are clearly not the way to a sustainable future and, while EVs aren’t a cure on their own, the fact that they’re catching on is, for this writer at least, a positive portent. CSANews | FALL 2022 | 51
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