Frequently Asked Questions
On this page you will find the most frequently asked questions about EV.
FAQ on Incentives
1. Q: Are pre-owned zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) eligible?
A: No, only new ZEVs are eligible. New vehicles are ones that have not been plated before, except demonstration vehicles. Demonstrator vehicles can be registered and plated to the dealership/authorized seller for demonstration purposes prior to being registered and plated to the eligible recipient.
2. Q: Are vehicles purchased or leased outside of Canada eligible?
A: No. Only new vehicles purchased or leased in Canada from a licensed dealer are eligible.
3. Q: Do I need to finance the purchase of an eligible ZEV in order to receive the incentive?
A: No. Both cash purchases and financed purchases (as well as leases of at least 12 months) are eligible for iZEV Program incentives.
4. Q: Do you need to be a Canadian citizen to receive an incentive?
A: No, but you must be a Canadian resident, which means that you need to have a home address in Canada.
5. Q: Is there a limit on how many vehicles I can purchase or lease under the iZEV Program?
A:
Yes, there are different limits for different types of consumers:
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Individuals can apply for 1 incentive per calendar year;
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Businesses can apply for up to 10 incentives per year, but if they use the iZEV incentive, they can’t use the Canada Revenue Agency tax write-off for the same vehicles. This limit is applied at an organization level, rather than by department or division;
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Not-for-profit organizations, including charities can participate in the IZEV Program as long as they are registered. There is an incentive limit of 10 per calendar year. This limit is applied at an organization level, rather than by department or division; and
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Provincial, territorial and municipal governments with fleets can apply for up to 10 incentives in any calendar year. This limit is applied by level of government, rather than by organization. This means that each provincial, territorial or municipal fleet can use no more than 10 incentives per calendar year.
6. Q: What are the timelines for taking advantage of the iZEV Program?
A:
Funding is given on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible vehicles purchased or leased as of the vehicle's eligibility date listed on Transport Canada's website.
On March 31, 2022, the Government of Canada announced $1.7 billion to extend and expand the iZEV Program until March 31, 2025. However, the Program may end sooner if available iZEV funding is fully exhausted prior to this date. Please visit Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program Statistics to find the latest data on remaining available funds within the iZEV Program.
7. Q: Don’t EVs cost more?
A:
EVs often cost more to buy (for now) than gas-powered vehicles, but they save more on fuel and maintenance.
A 2022 Clean Energy Canada report compared six popular EV models with the ownership costs of gas-powered equivalents. It estimated the comparative costs over eight years for someone who drives 20,000 kilometres per year and pays $1.35 per litre for fuel (and fuel prices have risen since then). The electric car comes out less expensive than the gas alternative for every comparison. With gas prices rising, savings could exceed $24,000 per year.
8. Q: Can EVs really go the distance of most trips?
A:
EV ranges cover most day-to-day driving, and that’s improving. More than 15 EV models sold in Canada have ranges of more than 300 kilometres. Some vehicles can travel 600 kilometres per charge.
9. Q: Do Electric Cars work in cold weather? What about their range when it’s cold?
A:
While EVs do lose range during the winter, this is because electric motors are more efficient than gas engines, so they can’t draw on wasted heat to warm up the inside of the vehicle. This range loss can be mitigated by heating up the car in advance of driving the vehicle. EV battery technology has improved significantly in recent years and the average range of battery-powered EVs tripled from 2010 to 2021. With the much longer ranges of EVs today, combined with improved charging infrastructure, the range impacts of cold weather aren’t a problem unless you live in a northern remote community – in which case a plug-in hybrid might be the best option. Most trips are much shorter than the range electric vehicles have per charge, even in cold weather.
10. Q: Are there enough charging stations for all of the electric vehicles?
A:
It’s clear that Canadians are ready to buy electric vehicles. But when they do, they want the certainty that they can get a charge when they need one. A recent NRCan study found that based on Canada’s EV sales targets, we are already on track to meet our charging needs by 2025 but more needs to be done to ensure our charging needs are met by 2030. Many businesses are already seeing EV charging as a business opportunity. Wal-Mart is planning to build-out a huge EV charging network of its own by 2030.
Common Misconceptions about EVs
1. Limited Range:
One common misconception is that electric vehicles have a very limited range and can't travel long distances. While early electric vehicles did have limited ranges, modern EVs have significantly improved battery technology and can travel several hundred miles on a single charge.
2. Lack of Charging Infrastructure:
Some people believe that there is a lack of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, making it inconvenient to charge them. However, the charging infrastructure has been rapidly expanding, with an increasing number of public charging stations, workplace charging options, and the ability to charge at home.
3. Slow Charging Speed:
Another misconception is that electric vehicles take a long time to charge. While it's true that charging times can be longer compared to refueling a gasoline vehicle, advancements in charging technology have significantly reduced charging times. Fast-charging stations can provide a substantial charge in a short amount of time, and home charging overnight is convenient for daily use.
4. High Cost of Ownership:
Many people believe that electric vehicles are much more expensive to purchase and maintain compared to gasoline-powered cars. While the upfront cost of an electric vehicle can be higher, there are several factors to consider, such as fuel and maintenance savings over time, as well as government incentives and tax credits that can offset the initial cost.
5. Limited Model Options:
Some people mistakenly believe that the selection of electric vehicles is limited and that there aren't many models available. In recent years, major automakers have been investing heavily in electric vehicle development, resulting in a growing number of models across various vehicle segments.
6. Environmental Impact of Battery Production:
There is a misconception that the production of electric vehicle batteries has a significant negative environmental impact. While battery production does have an environmental footprint, studies have shown that over the lifetime of an electric vehicle, it generally has lower emissions and a smaller overall environmental impact compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars.
7. Lack of Performance:
Another misconception is that electric vehicles lack performance and are slow compared to traditional cars. In reality, electric motors deliver instant torque, providing quick acceleration and impressive performance capabilities. High-performance electric vehicles can compete with or even surpass the acceleration of many gasoline-powered sports cars.