2017 SHAPING UP TO BE THE YEAR OF THE EV
Manufacturers are answering the demand of customers for environmentally friendly rides
As 2016 comes to a close and as final new vehicles sales numbers in Canada are tallied, one thing won’t come as a surprise — electric vehicle (EV) sales are up.
The most recent results from the first three quarters of 2016 show Canada-wide EV sales are up 60 per cent over 2015 as of September, and B.C. sales are up as well.
Consumers are becoming more interested in environmentally friendly rides, and auto manufacturers are answering this demand with a continued focus on hybrid and electric vehicles.
2016 was an exciting year. First registrations for the 2017 Chevy Bolt, the most affordable long-range EV yet, had green consumers buzzing, while Mercedes-Benz launched an entire sub-brand for its EVs, kicked off by the unveiling of their Generation EQ crossover at the Paris auto show in October.
So as we move into January, what EV advances can we expect in 2017?
The answer is a lot. Manufacturers are racing to release new EVs and technological breakthroughs. Pair that with dropping battery costs and these vehicles are more affordable and efficient than ever before.
One example is the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf, which is making its way across the pond. Previously only sold in Europe and the U.S., this electrified version of the Golf will be offered in Canada beginning in mid-2017. The revamped 2017 version offers in excess of 200 km on a single charge and is a great start in filling the gap between economy-minded EV models and pricier green rides.
Nissan’s next electric model is also expected by the end of the 2018 model year. The model is expected to be a brand-defining product that will boast a range of 320 plus km. With the Nissan Leaf being one of the best-selling electric cars, there’s no doubt that we can expect big things from the brand’s next EV.
In 2016, the much-anticipated Tesla Model X debuted to the tune of hundreds of sales. In 2017, Tesla holds the title for the year’s most anticipated release with the Tesla Model 3, which has more than 400,000 pre-orders already registered.
This sedan will offer a 300 pluskm range and will be the most affordable Tesla yet, clocking in at US$35,000. Canadian pricing will be available in 2017.
Tesla also unveiled the next stage in its production plan this year, and it aims high. The brand promises to expand to pickup trucks, mass transit, heavy-duty vehicles, and car sharing rides in the decade ahead.
Mercedes says the first car from its new EV sub-brand will hit the streets in 2019 while Ford has committed to electrifying 13 future vehicles by the same year. And Volkswagen has announced it aims to have 30 new EV models and two to three million plug-in sales by 2025.
With manufacturer EV expansion plans moving full steam ahead, I’m excited to see what 2017 will bring.
Blair Qualey is president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. You can email him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca.