The Benefits of Owning an Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles are experiencing a surge in popularity recently, not just for their eco-friendliness but also to help save money at the gas station. If you’re evaluating the benefits of electric vehicles, you aren’t alone. Choosing what kind of hybrid Electric Vehicle, or EV, to drive can be complicated. That’s why ENS Toyota of Saskatoon has put together this guide. We’re going over the benefits of an electric vehicle for daily travel and the environmental impact that EVs have.

Once you’ve learned more about selecting the right electric vehicle for your needs and a better understanding of the benefits of electric vehicles, give our friendly sales team a call to learn more about Toyota’s signature EV, the Toyota Prius. Or, learn more about our Hybrids, including the popular Rav-4 Hybrid and the Sienna Family Van Hybrid.

The Differences Between Hybrid vs. Electric Vehicles

It’s normal to have questions about how a hybrid car differs from an electric vehicle. Many of our Ens Toyota customers have questions – and we have answers! We can help you learn more about Hybrid plug-ins and true electric vehicles so that you can make the right selection for your budget and driving habits.

The main differences between electric vehicles and “traditional hybrids” are:

• How they charge – hybrid vehicle batteries recharge themselves while you drive, similar to combustion engine vehicles, while electric vehicles need to have their batteries recharged at home or at a charging station.
• Fuel source – Hybrids still use a combustion engine powered by gasoline, although they also rely on a part-time electric motor, hence the name hybrid. While you still get petrol at the pump, you’ll use much fewer thanks to the electric motor. Electric vehicles only use electricity, meaning that you’ll never buy gas again.

Plug-in hybrids require charging but still use gas. You may opt to switch the vehicle into purely electric mode, driving without gas, but bear in mind that the electric range on hybrid plug-ins is shorter than a true EV.

What are the Environmental Benefits of Electric Vehicles?

Because EVs don’t use gasoline, they don’t emit harmful CO emissions that damage the Earth’s ozone layer. This can help reduce the effects of climate change, especially as more and more people begin using EVs. The more people that purchase EVs, the more charging stations are out there, and the faster technology will advance, making EVs accessible for everyone.

Are There Driver Benefits of Electric Cars?

At Ens Toyota, we wouldn’t sell so many electric vehicles if people didn’t enjoy driving them! Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy as the owner of an EV:

Affordability – say goodbye to a gas tank fill-up in the triple digits. You can charge your car overnight just like your phone, plus you never have to worry about stopping for gas on your commute. Your vehicle may be less expensive to maintain, too. And while you may eventually need to replace the battery, it’s much less often than combustible engine vehicles.

You don’t sacrifice performance – the technology has advanced so that now, your EV can handle just about anything that a traditional car can, even cold Saskatchewan winters!

Government incentives – while the provincial government has yet to offer incentives, the federal government has plenty of incentives for EV drivers.

What are Canadian Electic Vehicle Incentives by Federal Government?

The Federal Government announced many incentives and initiatives to encourage Canadians to purchase electric vehicles. The largest was a whopping $1.5 billion investment in the iZEV incentive program. This initiative offers EV buyers up to $5,000 in rebates when purchasing a zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV).

According to the program’s stipulations, ZEVs are plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel vehicles. There are two tiers within the program: battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and low-range plug-in hybrid vehicles may all be eligible for an incentive of $5,000, while shorter-range, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are eligible for a $2,500 incentive.

In order to qualify for the incentive, the vehicle’s retail price must be under $45,000 (although there are a couple of exceptions, such as for nicer trim packages or the seating capacity of the vehicle). The vehicle must also be listed on the iZEV-approved models list. The rebate is given directly at the dealership, at the point of sale, and car buyers must purchase a new vehicle to qualify for the rebate.

Click on this link to find a list of iZEV-eligible vehicles on the Government of Canada’s website.

Are You Ready To Buy An Electric Vehicle (EV) from ENS Toyota?

If you have more questions about electric vehicles, or if you’re ready for a test drive, give Ens Toyota of Saskatoon a call today! You can also apply for financing over the phone to help streamline the process. We can’t wait to see you!