By Gary S. Vasilash

Although there seems to be something of a bandwagon effect in the U.S. when it comes to EVs—one led by the government rolling out cash for EV consumers and cash for companies that are producing batteries (there is a part of the IRA that provides up to $45 per kilowatt hour for battery cell and module production and covers 10% of the critical mineral costs: wonder why there are all those battery plant announcements?)—consumers in Canada, well, let’s quote J.D. Ney, director of the automotive practice at J.D. Power Canada:

“Despite current legislation that is pushing hard for EV adoption, consumers in Canada are still not sold on the idea of automotive electrification. Growing concerns about affordability and infrastructure (both from charging and electrical grid perspectives), have caused a significant decline in the number of consumers who see themselves in the market for an EV anytime soon.”

That is, the 2023 J.D. Power Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) Study finds that 66% of those surveyed are “very unlikely” or “somewhat unlikely” to consider an EV as their next vehicle purchase.

Consider. Not buy. Think about. Ponder.

That is a 13% increase in those who are in the unlikely camp from last year’s EVC Study.

Reasons for the lack of interest?

• 63% say limited range
• 59% are unhappy with the price of the vehicles
• 55% cite lack of charging infrastructure

The Canadian government does have a program that provides up to $5,000 for the purchase or lease of EVs or PHEVs, so perhaps this indifference is predicated on practicality.

Let’s face it: unless you get an expensive EV, you are going to have comparatively limited range, and if you have limited range you’re going to want to have charging capability readily at hand. . .