Survey: the reality of electric vehicles is still poorly understood

Electric vehicles are gaining in popularity and market share, but for the majority of consumers who haven't yet taken the plunge, their reality remains poorly understood.

In fact, according to a survey conducted in September on behalf of Electric Mobility Canada (EMC), only 13% of Canadians feel they have a good understanding of these vehicles.

Surprisingly, the majority of respondents were unaware of the federal government's $5,000 rebate. The same was true in Quebec, where over half of respondents were unaware of the $7,000 provincial rebate. These have been in effect for several years now.

Similarly, fewer than one in four Canadians are aware of a federal tax deduction for the self-employed and businesses that purchase an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Also, according to the MÉC survey, fewer than one in four people could correctly estimate the number of public charging stations in the country at over 20,000, or guess that the average range of new electric vehicle models is between 400 and 500 km.

Barely 9% of respondents seemed to know that there are currently around 40 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles available, priced below the Canadian new vehicle average, which now stands at just over $66,000.

Once aware of these facts, people who currently own a gasoline-powered vehicle said they were much more likely to choose an electric or plug-in hybrid model for their next purchase, with the proportion rising from 43% at the start of the survey to 63% at the end.

"This proves that a little education can go a long way. Assessing interest in electric vehicles is much more accurate when it's based on informed responses," says MÉC President and CEO Daniel Breton. "It's clear that educating the public about EVs turns a lack of information into a positive perception."