For 2019, there are more than 50 fully electric (BEV, for “battery electric”) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles available for sale in Canada. It’s expected that number will increase dramatically over the next few years as vehicle manufacturers embrace electrification to make vehicles more fuel efficient – and more public and private Level 2 (240-volt) and DC fast-charging (400-volt) stations are made available at malls, gas stations, government buildings, apartment buildings, and private businesses.
However, with BEV prices substantially higher than conventional automobiles, government rebates and subsidies for BEVs and PHEVs still have a major impact on their popularity, as evidenced by the precipitous drop in BEV sales in Ontario last year after the elimination of Ontario’s $14,000 rebate. The good news is Canada’s new federal rebate of $5,000 for new electric vehicles with MSRPs under $45,000 is now available to BEV buyers in all provinces.
Those lucky buyers in Quebec and BC can also add up to $8,000 and $5,000 respectively in provincial BEV and PHEV incentives, bringing the final price of their plug-in EV closer to that of conventional gas-burners. Note that the Quebec rebate is not available to BEVs with a base price over $75,000 and the BC rebate is not offered for BEVs over $77,000.
Some additional incentives include subsidies for home charger installations in BC and Quebec and some additional rebates in certain Quebec cities. BC also has a Scrap-It program that provides $6,000 to buyers who trade in their old clunker on a new BEV.
Which Vehicles Qualify for Rebates?
For 2019, there are a handful of BEVs with base MSRPs under $45,000, but keep in mind that those same vehicles in higher trim levels with MSRPs over the $45,000 limit won’t qualify for the rebate. Currently, BEVs that do qualify for the federal rebate include the Chevrolet Bolt (base trim only), Nissan Leaf, Nissan Leaf Plus (base trim only), Hyundai Ioniq EV, Ford Focus Electric (limited availability for 2019), Smart Fortwo Coupe and Cabriolet, Kia Soul EV, and Volkswagen e-Golf. Unfortunately, the new Hyundai Kona BEV SUV is just over the limit at $45,889 and popular BEVs like the BMW i3 and Tesla Model 3 are priced too high to qualify for the rebate.
It’s worth noting that the new federal regulations allow corporations to write off 100 percent of the cost of new BEVs, PHEVs, and fuel cell cars up to $55,000 per vehicle. That should provide a major incentive for corporations to electrify their fleets.
With a typically shorter driving range than a gas car, long recharging times, a limited number of recharging stations, and a higher price tag; deciding which BEV to buy requires more thought than with a conventional vehicle or a PHEV. The charts below will help you decide which BEV is priced within your budget, offers enough range for your driving needs, and can be fully charged in a reasonable time period.
BEVs, PHEVs, and Range Extenders
Note that sub-$45,000 BEVs typically have a driving range under 250 km while PHEVs in the same price range have an electric-only range typically between 25 and 50 kilometres but add between 200 and 900 kilometres when the gas engine takes over. Somewhere between these two types are “extended range” vehicles like the BMW i3 REx with an electric-only range of 203 km and a small gas engine that adds another 120 km.
BEVs like the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf Plus can drive over 350 km on a full charge but the MSRP of their higher trim levels go up to between $45,000 and $50,000, so the $5,000 federal rebate doesn’t apply to those higher priced trim levels. However, they still qualify for the provincial rebates.
With the exception of the Hyundai Kona Electric SUV, Jaguar I-Pace and the Tesla Model S and Model X, most fully electric vehicles are compact hatchbacks. PHEVs, on the other hand, come in all shapes and sizes: hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, sports cars, and SUVs in varying sizes and price points. That gives PHEV buyers more choices in the type of body style that suits their needs. As well, with a longer combined driving range, PHEV owners can take longer trips without experiencing “range anxiety”.
Most EVs and PHEVs can be charged with standard 110V household current or 220–240-volt Level 2 chargers using a standard J1772 charge port connector (older Teslas are an exception). Many EVs also include a standard or optional 400-volt DC fast-charging port which can charge a vehicle’s battery up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. However, while 240-volt chargers can be installed in most homes that already have 240-volt wiring for the clothes dryer, most homes don’t have the electrical capacity to install DC fast chargers. And while many older condominium buildings may not have the capacity to install 240-volt charging stations, many municipalities are now mandating that newer apartment buildings install at least a few charging stations in the parking garage.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
Below is a list of battery electric vehicles on sale in Canada at time of writing. The MSRP of each vehicle is provided, with a range indicating the base and top trims where applicable; these figures do not include any options or fees. Note that the model year of some vehicles may not reflect the current calendar year. Vehicles with range extenders are listed in the next table with PHEVs.
All technical specifications are taken from the NRCan fuel economy guide, except where noted.
|
Vehicle |
Base MSRP |
NRCan Consumption, Combined City/Hwy |
NRCan Maximum Range (km) |
Battery Capacity (kWh) |
L2 Charging Time (hours) |
Electric Motor Power (kW) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(kWh/100 km) |
(Le/100 km) |
||||||
|
2018 BMW i3 |
$51,568 |
17.8 |
2.0 |
183 |
33.2 |
5 |
125 |
|
2018 BMW i3s |
$55,168 |
18.9 |
2.1 |
172 |
33.2 |
5 |
135 |
|
2019 BMW i3 |
n/a |
18.5 |
2.1 |
246 |
42.2 |
7 |
125 |
|
2019 BMW i3s |
n/a |
18.5 |
2.1 |
246 |
42.2 |
7 |
135 |
|
2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV |
$44,800–$49,800 |
17.6 |
2.0 |
383 |
60 |
9.3 |
150 |
|
2019 Electra Meccanica eRoadster S* |
$163,100 |
n/a |
n/a |
250 |
50 |
9 |
n/a |
|
2018 Ford Focus Electric |
$34,998 |
19.6 |
2.2 |
185 |
33.5 |
5.5 |
107 |
|
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric |
$37,449–$42,449 |
15.5 |
1.7 |
200 |
28 |
4 |
88 |
|
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric |
$45,599–$51,999 |
17.4 |
2.0 |
415 |
64 |
9 |
150 |
|
2020 Jaguar I-Pace |
$89,800–$99,800 |
27.5 |
3.1 |
377 |
90 |
13 |
294 |
|
2019 Kia Soul EV |
$35,895–$39,895 |
19.3 |
2.2 |
179 |
30 |
5 |
81 |
|
2019 Nissan Leaf SV |
$40,698 |
18.7 |
2.1 |
243 |
40 |
8 |
110 |
|
2019 Nissan Leaf S Plus |
$43,998 |
19.5 |
2.2 |
363 |
62 |
11 |
160 |
|
2019 Nissan Leaf SV Plus/SL Plus |
$46,598, $49,498 |
20.0 |
2.2 |
349 |
62 |
11 |
160 |
|
2019 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet EQ |
$32,050 |
20.7 |
2.3 |
92 |
17 |
3 |
60 |
|
2019 Smart Fortwo Coupe EQ |
$29,050 |
19.3 |
2.2 |
93 |
17 |
3 |
60 |
|
2019 Tesla Model 3 Mid-Range |
$52,200–$54,900 |
17.1 |
1.9 |
425 |
62 |
10 |
202 |
|
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long-Range |
$63,000 |
16.1 |
1.8 |
499 |
74 |
10 |
202 |
|
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long-Range AWD |
$68,400 |
18.0 |
2.0 |
499 |
74 |
10 |
335 |
|
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long-Range AWD Performance |
$81,200 |
18.0 |
2.0 |
499 |
74 |
10 |
358 |
|
2019 Tesla Model S 75D |
$105,300 |
20.3 |
2.3 |
417 |
75 |
12 |
386 |
|
2019 Tesla Model S 100D |
$110,700 |
20.6 |
2.3 |
539 |
100 |
12 |
386 |
|
2019 Tesla Model S P100D |
$132,000 |
21.5 |
2.4 |
507 |
100 |
12 |
568 |
|
2019 Tesla Model X 75D |
$128,700 |
22.5 |
2.5 |
383 |
75 |
12 |
386 |
|
2019 Tesla Model X 100D |
$148,200 |
24.0 |
2.7 |
475 |
100 |
12 |
386 |
|
2019 Tesla Model X P100D |
$175,200 |
24.6 |
2.8 |
465 |
100 |
12 |
568 |
|
2019 Volkswagen e-Golf |
$36,720 |
17.4 |
2.0 |
201 |
35 |
5.3 |
100 |
*From manufacturer
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
Below is a list of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on sale in Canada at time of writing. The MSRP of each vehicle is provided, with a range indicating the base and top trims where applicable; these figures do not include any options or fees. Note that the model year of some vehicles may not reflect the current calendar year.
All technical specifications are taken from the NRCan fuel economy guide, except where noted.
|
Vehicle |
Base MSRP |
NRCan Consumption, Combined City/Hwy |
NRCan Range (km) |
L2 Charging Time (hours) |
Electric Motor Power (kW) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Electric (kWh/100 km) |
Gasoline (L/100 km) |
Electric-only |
Gasoline-only |
Combined |
||||
|
2018 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron |
$40,900 |
25.2 |
6.5 |
26 |
623 |
649 |
2 |
80 |
|
2018 BMW 330e |
$51,500 |
29.5 |
7.8 |
23 |
533 |
556 |
2 |
65 |
|
2019 BMW 530e |
$67,500 |
28.5 |
8.2 |
26 |
560 |
586 |
2 |
83 |
|
2019 BMW 530e xDrive |
$71,199 |
30.2 |
8.3 |
24 |
554 |
578 |
2 |
83 |
|
2019 BMW 740Le xDrive |
$117,750 |
32.1 |
8.8 |
23 |
525 |
548 |
3 |
83 |
|
2018 BMW X5 xDrive 40e |
$74,950 |
36.9 |
9.9 |
23 |
842 |
865 |
3 |
83 |
|
2018 BMW i3 REx |
$56,168 |
19.1 |
6.8 |
156 |
129 |
285 |
5 |
125 |
|
2018 BMW i3s REx |
$59,768 |
19.1 |
6.8 |
156 |
129 |
285 |
5 |
135 |
|
2019 BMW i3 REx |
n/a |
19.9 |
7.7 |
203 |
116 |
319 |
7 |
125 |
|
2019 BMW i3s REx |
n/a |
19.9 |
7.7 |
203 |
119 |
319 |
7 |
135 |
|
2019 BMW i8 |
$153,468 |
30.6 |
8.7 |
29 |
488 |
517 |
3 |
105 |
|
2019 BMW i8 Roadster |
$173,468 |
30.4 |
8.7 |
29 |
486 |
515 |
3 |
96 |
|
2019 Chevrolet Volt |
$40,195–$45,195 |
19.5 |
5.6 |
85 |
591 |
676 |
4.5 |
111 |
|
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid |
$51,995–$57,495 |
25.8 |
8 |
51 |
784 |
835 |
2 |
89 |
|
2019 Ford Fusion Energi |
$34,590–$37,590 |
20.5 |
5.6 |
42 |
940 |
982 |
2.6 |
68 |
|
2019 Honda Clarity PHEV |
$41,880 |
19 |
5.6 |
77 |
475 |
552 |
2.5 |
135 |
|
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Plus |
$32,299–$36,799 |
17.7 |
4.5 |
47 |
961 |
1008 |
2.3 |
32 |
|
2019 Hyundai Sonata PHEV |
$44,799 |
20.9 |
6 |
45 |
925 |
970 |
2.7 |
50 |
|
2019 Karma Revero |
$149,000 |
34.7 |
11.5 |
60 |
328 |
388 |
3.75 |
300 |
|
2019 Kia Niro PHEV |
$33,965–$37,765 |
19.7 |
5.1 |
42 |
853 |
895 |
2.25 |
32 |
|
2019 Kia Optima PHEV |
$42,995–$45,495 |
20.3 |
5.9 |
47 |
937 |
984 |
2.7 |
50 |
|
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4Matic |
$60,200 |
36.5 |
9.3 |
21 |
541 |
562 |
1.9 |
85 |
|
2019 Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 |
$46,190–$49,690 |
31.4 |
8.6 |
19 |
420 |
439 |
3 |
65 |
|
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander AWD PHEV |
$43,498–$51,798 |
27.7 |
9.2 |
35 |
463 |
498 |
3.5 |
60 |
|
2018 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid |
$91,700 |
44.2 |
10.6 |
23 |
768 |
791 |
3 |
71 |
|
2019 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid* |
$116,800 |
40.3 |
10.2 |
23 |
766 |
789 |
3 |
70 |
|
2019 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo* |
$121,800 |
40.3 |
10.2 |
23 |
766 |
789 |
3 |
70 |
|
2019 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive* |
$121,900 |
40.3 |
10.2 |
23 |
766 |
789 |
3 |
70 |
|
2019 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid* |
$212,900 |
40.9 |
11.8 |
23 |
701 |
724 |
3 |
70 |
|
2019 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo* |
$218,100 |
40.9 |
11.8 |
23 |
701 |
724 |
3 |
70 |
|
2019 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive* |
$224,800 |
40.3 |
10.2 |
23 |
766 |
789 |
3 |
70 |
|
Toyota Prius Prime |
$32,990–$35,445 |
15.8 |
4.3 |
40 |
995 |
1,035 |
2 |
71 |
|
Volvo S90 T8 eAWD |
$74,950 |
27.7 |
8.1 |
34 |
621 |
655 |
3 |
65 |
|
Volvo XC60 T8 eAWD |
$71,850–$72,550 |
34.9 |
9.4 |
27 |
534 |
561 |
3 |
65 |
|
Volvo XC90 T8 eAWD |
$74,950–$84,100 |
34.4 |
9.2 |
27 |
547 |
574 |
3 |
65 |
*From EPA
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