A federal poll found “stiff resistance” to electric vehicles (EVs) amongst Canadians, as EVs are considered costly and impractical.. Electric vehicle .Research done by the department of Natural Resources said Canadians need “increased education” about EVs if the government plans to attain its EV mandate..“Results reveal many Canadians would only buy a zero-emission vehicle if the price were about the same as an equivalent conventional vehicle,” said the report. .Thirteen percent said they would never drive electric, regardless of the cost..“Increased education and awareness efforts will be required to overcome some of the concerns about zero-emission vehicles and the general lack of knowledge about these vehicles among the Canadian public,” said the report Canadians Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Related to Zero-Emission Vehicles..Cabinet has proposed to ban the sale of all but EVs by 2035. .“Very few Canadians, 6%, say they own or lease a vehicle that runs on electricity,” said Canadians Awareness..“Fewer than one in five, 17%, feel there is an affordable zero-emission vehicle that meets their lifestyle needs,” wrote researchers. .“Twenty-nine percent are unsure. Four in ten, 40%, are unsure whether the repair and maintenance costs for a zero-emission vehicle are lower than for a gas or diesel powered vehicle, and almost half (46%) are unsure whether zero-emission vehicles have poor resale value.”.“For the government to achieve its zero-emission vehicle targets, consumer awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of new zero-emission technology has been acknowledged by all stakeholders as critical,” said the report. .“Canadians hold mixed views on zero-emission vehicles and continue to have a general lack of knowledge about these vehicles.”. Electric vehicle charging stationElectric vehicle charging station In China. .Almost half of the drivers surveyed, 48%, said EVs “can’t travel far enough on a full charge.” .Thirty-seven percent said electrics “perform poorly in cold weather.”.According to Blacklock’s Reporter, drivers complained sticker prices for electrics are higher than gas or diesel vehicles – about 20% to 40% more – and questioned whether operating costs are as low as manufacturers claim. .“Many worry that if too many people purchase zero-emission vehicles, it will put too much pressure on the electricity grid (42%) and that charging a zero-emission vehicle at home will significantly increase their monthly electricity bill (41%),” said Canadians Awareness..“A clear majority of Canadians, 70%, believe zero-emission vehicles are too expensive,” said the report. .“Only 5% disagree with this idea.”.Cabinet has budgeted at least $99.4 billion to promote EVs, including $5,000 in federal rebates and subsidies for charging stations. .“Zero-emission vehicles are expected to generally cost more,” the department of Environment wrote in a December 31 Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement.
