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Desire for EVs rises with gas prices
The automotive aftermarket may see electric vehicles in its bays sooner than expected thanks to rising gasoline prices.
The increased cost per litre for gas in Canada, along with vulnerability in the oil supply chain has made Canadians feel more favourable to buy an EV, according to a new poll from business advisory firm KPMG.
Three in five (61 per cent) Canadians said it’s time to buy an EV. More than half (51 per cent) have decided to never buy a pas-powered vehicle again. Nearly one in three (30 per cent) regret not already owning an EV.
“The poll results show that rising fuel prices are a big catalyst in changing Canadian attitudes towards EVs,” said Peter Hatges, national automotive sector leader for KPMG in Canada. “Canadians were already on edge about the spike in inflation and are now afraid soaring gas prices will make it impossible to balance their budgets. Buying an EV will allow them to take some control by reducing their fuel and maintenance costs.”
Of the 61 per cent who decided it’s time to buy an EV, 18 per cent said high gas prices and oil supply volatility solidified their decision, 24 per cent said it greatly influenced their decision and 19 per cent confirmed gas prices changed their mind; they weren’t considering an EV before and now they are.
In B.C., gas prices were around $2 per litre in late March, according to gasbuddy.com. So it perhaps not surprising that 63 per cent in British Columbia — 60 per cent among 25-to-34-year olds and 68 per cent among 18-to-24-year-olds — said they would never buy a gas-powered vehicle again.
Nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents reported that they’re “definitely buying an EV” because they “don’t think gas prices will ever normalize again, especially as economies transition off oil and gas,” KPMG found.
Image credit: Depositphotos.com
I find this article interesting. EVs only appeal to the top 4% of Canadians who are able to afford them. Personally, I feel the concept has merit but EVs are being promoted far too fast. Quality issues plague some of the manufacturers because they are being pushed to market. The biggest draw back is the operating range in our climate does not make them attractive. Also our infrastructure will not support charging. How will EV owners charge their vehicles in an apartment complex or town house complex? The cost of bringing electricity there will be prohibitive. How will electric vehicles pay for using our roads. Taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels are put towards road infrastructure so how will electric vehicles pay their share?