Are you considering buying an electric vehicle? With their rising popularity and advanced technology, EVs offer a compelling alternative to traditional gas engine vehicles. However, it is important to consider if an electric vehicle aligns with your lifestyle and meets your needs. That’s why we covered the top 8 considerations you should make before buying an electric vehicle to make sure it’s right for you!
1. Daily Driving Habits:
Evaluate your typical daily driving routine, including commute distance and driving frequency. If you have a short to mid-length daily commute and access to charging infrastructure at home, work, or nearby, an EV may be well-suited to your lifestyle.
2. Charging Accessibility:
You can’t drive an electric vehicle without charging it, so consider your access to charging infrastructure, both at home and in public spaces. Living in urban areas like Winnipeg with over 285 public charging stations makes it convenient to own an electric vehicle and there is also the possibility of installing a home charging station. We recommend having at least one of these charging options available to you when owning an electric vehicle.
3. Driving Range and Battery:
Assess whether the driving range of an electric vehicle meets your lifestyle needs. Electric vehicle battery technology is constantly evolving and driving ranges are getting longer. If you frequently go on long road trips or have a lifestyle that requires extensive driving, talk to an expert at Birchwood to find an EV with enough range to accommodate your travel needs!
4. Home Charging:
It is also important to consider if your home has the necessary infrastructure to support EV charging. Installing a home charging station, especially if you have dedicated parking, can simplify the charging process and enhance your EV ownership experience. At-home charging stations work best if you have a house and garage, but it is possible to install at condos and apartments as well. It is a longer process to install a charging station at condos and apartments because it requires permission from the building to install it at your parking spot.
5. Environmental Sustainability:
Many people care deeply about their impact on the environment. If you’re passionate about environmental sustainability and your impact on the environment, choosing an electric vehicle would be an excellent option for you. Electric vehicles produce zero greenhouse gas emissions when using clean energy and don’t depend on fossil fuels, making them an eco-friendly choice.
6. Budget and Affordability:
Consider the total cost of EV ownership, including initial purchase price, charging costs, maintenance expenses, and potential tax incentives. Evaluate your budget and financial goals to ensure that owning an EV is financially feasible and aligns with your long-term financial plans. Typically, the initial price of an electric vehicle is higher than a gas vehicle, but government incentives can help with this. The Government of Canada offers a federal rebate of up to $5,000 and Manitoba’s incentive program offers a $4,000 rebate on new electric vehicles or $2,500 on used electric vehicles! As well, EV’s require significantly less maintenance and have no costs for fuel, meaning they can save you money in the long run.
7. Driving Experience Preferences:
Determine what your preferences are for the optimal driving experience, including vehicle performance, technology features, and driving dynamics. Test-driving different electric vehicle models can help you assess how they meet your driving preferences and lifestyle requirements. Electric vehicles have a wide array of innovative features that you may enjoy!
8. Driving Feel:
Driving an electric vehicle can come as a surprise to some people because it feels a bit different than driving a traditional gas vehicle. This is mainly due to the absence of engine noise, providing a quieter ride. Electric cars also offer instant torque delivery, resulting in quicker acceleration compared to gas cars. Additionally, the regenerative braking system will decelerate the vehicle as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, allowing for more efficient braking. Still, it can sometimes take a little getting used to.
Before buying an electric vehicle, it’s important to carefully consider these factors to find out if electric vehicles are right for you! Taking into account your unique lifestyle needs and preferences will ensure that you have a positive EV ownership experience. If you have further questions about which electric vehicles we offer, feel free to contact us or view our EV inventory here!
