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Why choose an electric vehicle?

Today's electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming mainstream due to lower prices, faster charging times and increased driving ranges.

Hydro One EV Vehicle being charged

Save at the pump

You can save hundreds of dollars in annual fuel costs, plus decreased maintenance costs.

Reduce your footprint

Driving an EV can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.

Extend your driving range

An EV can travel from 140 to 450 kms on a single charge - that's like driving from Toronto to Peterborough.

Get in the fast lane

A green licence plate lets you access High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of whether you have passengers, getting you there faster.

Recharge across Ontario

A network of quick, high-voltage chargers across the province provide a full charge in under an hour.

Electric vehicles and chargers

Get rewarded $50 for signing up your electric vehicle or charger – plus, up to an additional $60 annually when you participate in scheduled peak demand events.
Download the EV buyer’s checklist

Electric vehicle types

Category Engine type Benefits
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) External electricity & regenerative braking Runs entirely on a battery and electric drive train
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Rechargable battery & gasoline. Can run off battery only. Runs on a battery but also has an internal combustion engine
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEVS) Rechargable battery & gasoline. Electric and gas drive system used in tandem. Doesn’t plug in.
Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Hydrogen & Oxygen Uses hydrogen & oxygen to generate electricity.

Cost to charge an electric car in Ontario

EVs are affordable to own because they run on electricity instead of fossil fuels. The average Canadian driver, travelling about 20,000 kms a year, can save up to $2,500 annually on fuel and maintenance.

Electric motors are also less sophisticated and durable than internal combustion engines. Why? EVs have only one moving part, so they don’t need oil changes, coolant flushes, mufflers or exhaust systems to keep running optimally.

Battery electric vehicle
Average cost
$300 a year / $0.78 a day
if you charge it at night
Plug-in hybrid vehicle
Average cost: $700 a year, or
$1.92 a day (including electricity
and gas) if you charge it at night
Gas-fueled vehicle
Comparable gasoline-fueled cars
consume anywhere from
$1,000 to $2,500 a year in fuel

For the lowest rates, charge your EV between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and statutory holidays.

How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?

It depends on the type of charging station and the voltage

The time needed to charge an EV depends on current charge level, battery capacity and temperature. Typically, an EV parked at home for 14 hours or at the office for 8 hours will be fully charged. On average, Plug-In Hybrids need one to four hours to charge fully on a 240-volt station, while Battery Electric Vehicles need four to eight hours to charge fully from zero.

If you live in a house with a private driveway, or garage, installing a EV charging station in Ontario is easy. If you don’t have a garage or private driveway you’ll need to find an alternative place to install a charging station.

If you live in an apartment or condominium, be aware that building policies and infrastructure vary from building to building. Before you buy an EV, connect with the property managers about charging stations. Visit Plug ’N Drive for more on condo charging.

Charge your electric vehicle while you sleep, and recharge your batteries at the same time

Recharging your EV any time of day will result in far fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less air pollution than a car would generate by burning gasoline or diesel. But charging overnight, during off-peak hours, is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly way to power your EV.

You can also charge your EV at public charging stations. There are currently more than 5,000 public charging stations across Canada, and almost 1,500 Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations in Ontario. There are also several websites and apps that track the location of public charging stations worldwide. Visit Electric Mobility Canada and ChargeHub for EV charging maps and apps.

Level 1

charger
Level 1 Charger

This is the standard 120-volt (V) power outlet that is most used in your home. It can take more than 24 hours to fully charge an EV using this level*. All EVs come with a portable cord-set that allows you to charge at any place that has a standard household outlet.

Steps: Plug your EV into any standard household power outlet. It the slowest but the easiest way of charging an EV.

Cost to install: $0

Level 2

charger
Level 2 Charger

This charger connects to a 240-volt outlet, like the one used by ovens and clothing dryers. It takes about 4-8 hours to charge an EV using this type of charger*. This is the most common level of charger used by single-family homes with an EV as it enables fast charging.

Steps: To Install a level 2 charger in your home, you'll need to contact a certified electrician. They'll identify the technical requirements to assess if there is sufficient electricity flowing into your home and if an upgrade is needed to your home's electrical panel. Based on this assessment, your electrician will suggest you contact Hydro One if you first need a level upgrade to the service or will work with you to get the level 2 charger installed at your home if the power and level requirements are already met.

Cost to install: Installing a level 2 charger typically costs between $800-$3000. There may be additional costs if upgrades or modifications are needed to your electrical panel and/or power service.

Level 3

charger
Level 3 Charger

This charger is connected via direct current to an electrical system and is the fastest charging speed available across all chargers. It takes about 20-60 mins to charge an EV using this type of charger*. These types of chargers are primarily used in businesses and public charging areas, are generally cost prohibitive for a single-family home and have energy requirements that are well beyond the standard availability in a home. Hence, they are currently used only at public charging stations.

*These charging times are estimates for reference only and actual results may vary based on the EV model.

Electrical considerations for charger installation

Electrical service size

You'll need to work with an electrician to understand the current capacity of your service panel. Many older homes have a 100 Amp main panel, and this may need to be upgraded to a 200-Amp service panel for the EV charging to function optimally and to overcome any potential danger of overloading the panel. The more Amperage you have, the more devices can be safely used simultaneously.

Panel space availability

Confirm with your electrician if your electrical panel has space to accommodate a double pole circuit breaker for the EV outlet. If not, they may need to replace some breakers with new space savers or install a new sub-panel and will have to install a 50-60-Amp breaker in the panel.

Travel distance can vary depending
on the technology

Newer EVs can travel up to 400 kms on a single charge, while Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles may travel more than 500 kms using a combination of battery and gas-engine technology. The distance an EV can travel depends on:

Technology
pure EV, hybrid or plug-in

Battery size

Weight carried

Temperature

Accessories in use

Individual driving style

Range anxiety?

Electric vehicles don't unexpectedly run out of charge. EV dashboards display the “range remaining” so you can plan your trip

Woman installing lightbulb.

Not all electric vehicles are expensive

EVs come in different models at different price points, just like gas cars.

With so many EVs on the market, there’s one at every price point. Plus, there’s a federal incentive of $2,500 to $5,000 when you buy or lease a new EV that retails for $45,000 or less. Higher-priced models are also eligible, and the incentives are applied right at point of sale.

The $5,000 incentive applies to battery-powered, fuel cell and long-range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, and the $2,500 incentive applies to shorter-range plug-in models. And there are over 35 different models of EVs and Plug-in Hybrids available to choose from. Consult Transport Canada to learn more.

Ready to learn more?

Check out Plug‘N Drive. It offers information about incentives, benefits of EVs, and charging stations — plus an EV catalogue. Used Electric Vehicle incentives are available — receive $1,000 off your EV purchase.

Ready to buy your first EV?

Download our buyer’s checklist for 10 key considerations when shopping for an electric vehicle.

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