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Buying a new electric vehicle

Sales manager holding car charging adapter and explaining the features of an electric car in showroom.

How to buy your EV

Most people will agree that buying any new car can be a long and confusing process. But what if you're buying an electric vehicle (EV)? By being flexible and planning ahead, it can actually be relatively quick and easy.

Test drive an EV

Test driving a car sounds easy, but it's also something that most of us don't do very often. And if it's your first time driving an EV, some things will be completely new, like the vehicle's silence and rapid acceleration. It can be an exciting experience, but remember to prioritize the safety of yourself and others by staying focused and avoiding distractions.

Where to test drive an EV

When shopping, you can either visit an EV-only dealership like Tesla or Polestar, or one that sells both gas and electric cars. If you choose the latter, you'll want to speak with an EV expert on the sales team who can properly advise you.

Schedule your test drive in advance so you know they'll have your preferred vehicle available. You'll also want to ask them to fully charge it for your test drive so you can check the vehicle's range during your trip.

In addition to dealerships, there are a few other ways to potentially get behind the wheel of your chosen EV. Several B.C. enthusiast organizations are keen to share their knowledge and advice. Some will even let you take a test drive or a ride-along at their events.

  • Everything Electric Canada is an annual home energy and electric vehicle show where you can test drive new EV models.
  • Emotive is a B.C. campaign promoting the fun of driving an EV. Led by Plug In BC, and supported by voluntary EV ambassadors, Emotive facilitates test drives at events including the Vancouver International Auto Show.
  • The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association (VEVA) was established in 1988 and has members who not only drive and own EVs, but also build them. They host meetups regularly, as well as other events such as guest speakers.
  • The Victoria EV Club is a diverse group of EV enthusiasts enjoying and promoting EV ownership on Vancouver Island.
     

Tips for your test drive

Even with federal and provincial incentives, buying an EV is a major purchase. So when you get in the driver's seat for your test drive, try to keep these 10 things in mind:

  1. Range – Check the range when you get in. How does it compare with the manufacturer's claim? Also, keep an eye on the range during your drive – how fast does it go down? Temperature, speed and steep hills can all affect it.
  2. Silence – If you're used to driving a gas car, get ready for the silence of an EV – it can feel very strange at first.
  3. Regenerative brakes – EVs have regenerative brakes that work whenever you take your foot off the accelerator, converting kinetic energy into electricity. They take a minute to get used to – but don't worry, there's also a regular brake pedal for when you need to stop.
  4. Test different roads – Ask to drive at least 20 km on a varied route to see how an EV feels on the type of roads you normally drive on.
  5. Maintenance schedule and cost – EVs have far fewer moving parts than a gas-powered vehicle, so they need less maintenance. But make sure to ask what the maintenance schedule looks like – and how much it costs.
  6. Vehicle-specific features – Most EVs have unique features. Ask the dealer to explain what makes the EV different and try out the features to decide if they're right for you.
  7. Your favourite features – Don't forget the features that are important to you on any car. Maybe you want large cup holders, or need to connect your smartphone. Check to see if the EV can do what you want.
  8. Seating and controls – Take time to adjust the seat to your favourite driving position and make sure you can easily reach all the controls.
  9. Parking and maneuverability – Your EV may be bigger or smaller than you're used to, with different visibility. Can you easily park and maneuver it in tight spaces?
  10. Practicality – Maybe you're changing to a smaller EV from a bigger SUV. Will this new car carry everything (and everybody) that you'll need it to?
     

Consider your payment options

Decide how you want to pay for your EV. If you're financing or leasing, use the numbers on the manufacturer's website to do some rough calculations ahead of visiting the dealership. Don't forget to subtract your average monthly maintenance and gas costs for your current gas-powered vehicle from the monthly EV cost (including tax) for a ballpark figure of what your new EV might cost overall. Depending on your current gas costs, you might find you can save quite a lot or be able to afford a more expensive vehicle than you thought.

Start searching for your next vehicle

Ready to start shopping? Explore EV models available in B.C., current rebates and vehicle features.


 

Once you have an idea of what EV model is right for you, be prepared to be flexible. EVs are in huge demand, so a very specific vehicle might take time to locate. You'll need to decide if you're prepared to wait or if you need your EV right away. Depending on timing, you might need to be flexible about the details.

Apply for incentives and perks

B.C. residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and local government organizations may be eligible for incentives when purchasing or leasing qualifying new electric vehicles. One incentive from the Government of B.C.'s CleanBC Go Electric Program of up to $4,000 and another incentive of up to $5,000 from the federal government. These are applied directly to the pre-tax sticker price by the dealership. Pre-approval for provincial rebates is required.

Find out more about EV rebates and incentives in B.C.

In addition to these, you may be eligible for SCRAP-IT, a program that offers incentives to use towards the cost of buying an EV in B.C. and other low-carbon forms of transportation when you scrap your existing gas-powered vehicle. The incentives apply to purchases of both new and used EVs.

Visit SCRAP-IT for full program details.

HOV lane decals

You may have seen EVs displaying a white OK decal. EVs displaying this decal can travel in the HOV lane with just one passenger unless otherwise indicated. So while you're waiting for the dealer to find your ideal EV, get your OK decal application ready so you can submit it the moment your new car arrives.

Install a charger

If you're permitted to install a home charger, you can start the process before your vehicle arrives so you can charge up right away.

Rebates available for select smart EV chargers. Learn more about the EV charger rebate program.