Electric vehicles creating a buzz on the roads
Improved technology, better infrastructure are putting negative reactions to rest
Electric vehicles have been creating a lot of buzz in the auto industry and beyond over the past few years and automakers are responding by rolling out with new EVs with each new production year.
The auto industry is one of the most technologically advanced industries in the world — one that is constantly revolutionizing the way we get from point A to point B.
As with any technology, a bit of time is needed for some people to get fully onboard.
Talk to any EV skeptic and you’ll hear one or more of the following myths: EVs aren’t affordable; the range/charge length isn’t practical; their in-vehicle technology isn’t comparable to other new gasoline-powered vehicle models.
The reality is that global auto manufacturers are investing heavily in electrification technology in order to produce the best green energy vehicles, and the competition is fierce. The EVs produced today come chalk-full of new features, including one pedal driving.
Governments have also been investing in charging infrastructure to better accommodate EV drivers on the road. Over the past couple of years in British Columbia, for example, we’ve seen charging stations being built in not only metropolitan areas, but in areas away from urban centres as well.
While the range varies from vehicle to vehicle, the improving battery technology in EVs — coupled with that ever-expanding charging infrastructure — could mean that ‘range anxiety’ will soon be a thing of the past. In fact, Sunshine Coast couple Buddy Boyd and Barb Hetherington recently embarked on a cross-Canada road trip in a Chevrolet Bolt to test the limits of their new all-electric hatchback.
With the average commuter distance of approximately 30 kilometres per day in the Lower Mainland, there are plenty of EV offerings with enough range, from the new VW e- Golf and Hyundai Ionic at 200-kilometres all the way up to +380-km range for the recently released Bolt.
Just like gasoline-powered vehicles, there are EVs available at every price point to fit any budget. One perk that differentiates the buying process is the possible inclusion of government incentives that go with purchasing an EV. Check out cevforbc. ca to see the complete list of clean energy vehicles eligible for incentives today.
As with any purchase of a new or used vehicle, I recommend stopping by a new car dealership to test drive before committing to a particular one.
Test drives are a crucial part of shopping for a new vehicle and ensures that you get all your questions answered and you find the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle.
Not surprisingly with all the attention they’ve been receiving, new EVs are also setting new standards for auto design around the world. The Chevrolet Bolt, for example, not only took home the highest honour of being named the 2017 Green Car of the Year by Green Journal, but was also the 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year.
British Columbia is considered a national leader when it comes to EVs, and as we saw with the Vancouver International Auto Show earlier this year, British Columbians are certainly interested in what’s being offered. The Electric Vehicle Test Drive Experience, for example, saw a 27 per cent increase, resulting in 1,246 test-drives throughout the duration of the show.