How long does it take to charge?
Only BEVs and PHEVs can be charged by plugging in, and there are many variables here that will impact the charging time. The first is the battery size; the larger the battery, the longer it will take. BEVs will have a larger battery for more range, while PHEVs have comparatively smaller batteries. The second factor is the type of charger, and there are three types: Level 1 is a standard 120V outlet like you’d have inside your home. Level 2 is 240V, like you’d use for a clothes dryer or stove. Level 3 is a powerful DC fast charger, rated between 400V and 800V, which is only available at charging stations.
As an example, a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with a 20 mWh battery would take around 16 hours to charge with a Level 1 charger, and around six and a half hours on a Level 2. On a Level 3 charger, the battery can get up to 80 per cent in around 38 minutes.
How much do EVs cost overall?
At the showroom, it’s easy to see that electric vehicles cost more than a comparative gas-powered vehicle – up to $10,000 more or higher. But there are ways in which that cost difference is minimized. And the first is with government EV incentives; while the federal government has only recently cancelled its EV incentive program, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon Territories all offer some form of electric vehicle rebate, and some even offer incentives for home charging stations.
And over time, the considerably lower cost of electricity vs gasoline will make that initial higher sticker price worth it. Of course, some BEVs and PHEVs are more efficient than others, but according to a recent study by automotive research firm Vincentric, BEVs save their owners an average of $19,353 in fuel costs over a five-year period compared with a comparable gas-powered model.
For another example, Natural Resource Canada estimates that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV would cost $1,551 in fuel per year based on 20,000 km of annual driving, with regular gasoline at $1.45/L and electricity at 16¢/kWh. The gas-powered Outlander is estimated to cost $2,581 in fuel per year.
How can I charge at home?
Charging your BEV or PHEV from home is the cheapest way to keep your battery full. Installation costs anywhere from $1,500 up to $5,000, depending on your home’s electrical setup, so check with an electrician ahead of time. But it could be worth it in the long run; charging the 20kWh battery of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV overnight with Ontario’s off-peak electricity rates of 7.6¢ per kWh, for example, would cost just $1.52 for about 61 km of electric-only range, more than enough for most people’s daily commutes.
Are electric vehicles better for the environment?
It’s true that building an EV makes a slightly larger carbon footprint than a conventional gas-powered vehicle, due to the battery chemistry. But the fact that they run on electricity alone (or for much of their drive, like a PHEV) means that they will end up far more ‘clean’ in the long run. And that’s especially true in Canada, where 83 per cent of our electricity comes from non-emitting sources including hydroelectricity, nuclear, solar, and wind. So you can feel good about driving.
How long does it take to charge?
Only BEVs and PHEVs can be charged by plugging in, and there are many variables here that will impact the charging time. The first is the battery size; the larger the battery, the longer it will take. BEVs will have a larger battery for more range, while PHEVs have comparatively smaller batteries. The second factor is the type of charger, and there are three types: Level 1 is a standard 120V outlet like you’d have inside your home. Level 2 is 240V, like you’d use for a clothes dryer or stove. Level 3 is a powerful DC fast charger, rated between 400V and 800V, which is only available at charging stations.
As an example, a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with a 20 mWh battery would take around 16 hours to charge with a Level 1 charger, and around six and a half hours on a Level 2. On a Level 3 charger, the battery can get up to 80 per cent in around 38 minutes.
How much do EVs cost overall?
At the showroom, it’s easy to see that electric vehicles cost more than a comparative gas-powered vehicle – up to $10,000 more or higher. But there are ways in which that cost difference is minimized. And the first is with government EV incentives; while the federal government has only recently cancelled its EV incentive program, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon Territories all offer some form of electric vehicle rebate, and some even offer incentives for home charging stations.
And over time, the considerably lower cost of electricity vs gasoline will make that initial higher sticker price worth it. Of course, some BEVs and PHEVs are more efficient than others, but according to a recent study by automotive research firm Vincentric, BEVs save their owners an average of $19,353 in fuel costs over a five-year period compared with a comparable gas-powered model.
For another example, Natural Resource Canada estimates that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV would cost $1,551 in fuel per year based on 20,000 km of annual driving, with regular gasoline at $1.45/L and electricity at 16¢/kWh. The gas-powered Outlander is estimated to cost $2,581 in fuel per year.
How can I charge at home?
Charging your BEV or PHEV from home is the cheapest way to keep your battery full. Installation costs anywhere from $1,500 up to $5,000, depending on your home’s electrical setup, so check with an electrician ahead of time. But it could be worth it in the long run; charging the 20kWh battery of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV overnight with Ontario’s off-peak electricity rates of 7.6¢ per kWh, for example, would cost just $1.52 for about 61 km of electric-only range, more than enough for most people’s daily commutes.
Are electric vehicles better for the environment?
It’s true that building an EV makes a slightly larger carbon footprint than a conventional gas-powered vehicle, due to the battery chemistry. But the fact that they run on electricity alone (or for much of their drive, like a PHEV) means that they will end up far more ‘clean’ in the long run. And that’s especially true in Canada, where 83 per cent of our electricity comes from non-emitting sources including hydroelectricity, nuclear, solar, and wind. So you can feel good about driving.
