With the increasing concern over climate change and the cost
of gas/importing oil from overseas, there is now a move towards cars being
powered by something other than gasoline.
Early “conventional hybrid vehicles” that were introduced in
the 1990’s merged a traditional internal combustion engine with a relatively
small battery. The battery provided
supplementary power to the engine and was charged usually using regenerative
braking, involving charging the battery as the car was decelerating. These early hybrid vehicles were known for
being only slightly more fuel efficient than small economy vehicles of the time
in terms of fuel efficiency, and concerns about battery life and increased
maintenance costs resulted in slow early adoption. As with many new technologies, the initial
impression turned some people off the concept of electric vehicles for years.
Now recent improvements have resulted in new battery
technology and a further shift towards the electric components providing actual
power to the vehicle rather than simply supplementing the gas engine. Tesla Motors only manufactures fully electric
plug-in vehicles which you can charge at your home overnight. They offer a daily range of about 450km, more
than enough for most daily commutes and usage.
In addition, they are rolling out supercharging stations across Canada
and the US with the goal of offering drivers fast recharging to make
cross-country trips nearly as easily as you would in a gas powered car.
Many countries and provinces are also trying to encourage
this early adoption of electric cars.
Ontario, for example, has dedicated a section of the Ministry of Transportation website to providing information on electric vehicles including the locations of
charging stations, answers to frequently asked questions about electric
vehicles and information about tax credits being offered to encourage the purchase
of plug-in vehicles.
In Ontario, there is a tax credit available of between
$5,000 and $8,500 depending on the size of the battery in your electric car. This credit can be applied either to the
purchase of a new vehicle or to most leases.
Dealerships can also apply for the credit on behalf of the owner,
further simplifying the process for buyers and allowing the dealership to offer
a lower sticker price on the car.
- Jeff