Canada faces declining EV interest, report shows, despite push to boost sales

[CdnFox]

https://globalnews.ca/news/10162385/electric-vehicles-ev-use-autotrader/

As Canada continues its work towards net-zero carbon emissions, including through its mandate for at least 20 per cent of car sales to be electric vehicles (EVs) by 2026, a new report showing a declining interest in the products is raising questions whether that goal is doable.

 

Theres still strong interest but it seems to be dropping, and my guess is that:

a) they're a bit of a niche market solution, not for everybody, and that niche is filling up and the rest don't want one, and

b) when people can barely afford anything then naturally the extra cost of an ev is going to be a problem.

I don't think the goal is practical.

[Legato]

Exhaust pipe dreams.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, CdnFox said:

when people can barely afford anything then naturally the extra cost of an ev is going to be a problem.

I think it's a little bit of this, as well as the infrastructure and technology not being up to par just yet.

EVs over time, are far less reliable than their ICE counterparts. 

The first thing I look at when looking for a new car, is reliability.

The look, and color, the interior among other creature comforts, come after this.

Cost of ownership also factors into this, but if highly reliable that cost remains low.

I drive a highly reliable ICE which easily could drive past 300 000kms. I likely will replace it past 200 000kms, but that's the point. There are no nerves or anxieties about this. Its got a proven track record and reputation for this, as do other highly reliable ICEs.

Overhauling it, such as a tranny flush, belt replacements, are mere pennies compared to having to replace or fix a battery. I replaced my own batteries myself, again, for mere pennies compared to similar work on an EV, which I obviously couldn't do myself.

I think shaming people into buying EVs is the worst possible approach you can take. Same as pressuring them via hosing them at the pumps with additional taxes.

You invest in the infrastructure, and technology.

Once battery technology allows for charges that take mere minutes to near full, and batteries are much lighter allowing for far more capacity without sacrificing on vehicle weight, I feel it will be a no brainer to make the switch.

Answer the question "what's in it for me" for potential car buyers (aware of what most want) without virtue signaling  and you'll be that much closer to what is required to get people on board.

[CdnFox]

8 hours ago, Perspektiv said:

I think it's a little bit of this, as well as the infrastructure and technology not being up to par just yet.

EVs over time, are far less reliable than their ICE counterparts. 

The first thing I look at when looking for a new car, is reliability.

The look, and color, the interior among other creature comforts, come after this.

Cost of ownership also factors into this, but if highly reliable that cost remains low.

I drive a highly reliable ICE which easily could drive past 300 000kms. I likely will replace it past 200 000kms, but that's the point. There are no nerves or anxieties about this. Its got a proven track record and reputation for this, as do other highly reliable ICEs.

Overhauling it, such as a tranny flush, belt replacements, are mere pennies compared to having to replace or fix a battery. I replaced my own batteries myself, again, for mere pennies compared to similar work on an EV, which I obviously couldn't do myself.

I think shaming people into buying EVs is the worst possible approach you can take. Same as pressuring them via hosing them at the pumps with additional taxes.

You invest in the infrastructure, and technology.

Once battery technology allows for charges that take mere minutes to near full, and batteries are much lighter allowing for far more capacity without sacrificing on vehicle weight, I feel it will be a no brainer to make the switch.

Answer the question "what's in it for me" for potential car buyers (aware of what most want) without virtue signaling  and you'll be that much closer to what is required to get people on board.

It's close - but it's just not quite there yet

[QuebecOverCanada]

Too expensive, too unreliable, autonomy inconsistent with long travel, battery replacement is astronomically expensive, you need to buy a charger for at-home, is not ecological despite all what we say about the carbon emission, not good in winter...

I'd rather buy a hybrid model up until we have real electric cars which have real autonomy, and that are cheaper than what they are right now.

It reminds me of 720p HD TVs in the early 2Ks where people had personal loans to buy them... for sometimes North of $5K each. now a 4K HDTV is $300, and a good one at that. I'll wait until a similar thing happens to electric cars.

[ExFlyer]

It is not just Canada that has lost interest in EV. Almost all manufacturers have cut their EV lines.

Today, Ford announced it is stopping the F-150 EV line.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, ExFlyer said:

Today, Ford announced it is stopping the F-150 EV line.

Not surprised.

In order for the F150 truck to compare to an ICE, the battery pack must be massive, sending its price point skyrocketing well over 100 000$.

At that rate, you can effortlessly buy yourself a top trim ICE pickup truck. Any brand.

It just makes no sense.

Those vegan woke types that have to condescendingly tell me: "at least I'm fighting for the future of children!" are the only ones this makes sense to.

 

[Aristides]

48 minutes ago, Perspektiv said:

Not surprised.

In order for the F150 truck to compare to an ICE, the battery pack must be massive, sending its price point skyrocketing well over 100 000$.

At that rate, you can effortlessly buy yourself a top trim ICE pickup truck. Any brand.

It just makes no sense.

Those vegan woke types that have to condescendingly tell me: "at least I'm fighting for the future of children!" are the only ones this makes sense to.

 

You can easily drop $100K on a loaded ICE truck as well. My neighbour just bought a loaded Grand Cherokee PHEV and it was over $100K

[Guest]

48 minutes ago, Aristides said:

You can easily drop $100K on a loaded ICE truck as well. My neighbour just bought a loaded Grand Cherokee PHEV and it was over $100K

That 100k truck will pull more weight, far longer. Will fuel way faster, be way more reliable. 

An entry level ICE truck will be, as well. 

There is no comparison yet. I look forward to when there is.

I see it like the Tesla freight truck.

Its really pretty.

Not practical. Need to replace a front bumper? Good luck with that. 

[OftenWrong]

19 hours ago, CdnFox said:

my guess is that:

a) they're a bit of a niche market solution, not for everybody, and that niche is filling up and the rest don't want one, and

b) when people can barely afford anything then naturally the extra cost of an ev is going to be a problem.

I don't think the goal is practical.

There was a guy here once, famous around here, he came up with a famous quotation.

'Economics trumps virtue'.

 

[Aristides]

3 hours ago, Perspektiv said:

That 100k truck will pull more weight, far longer. Will fuel way faster, be way more reliable. 

An entry level ICE truck will be, as well. 

There is no comparison yet. I look forward to when there is.

I see it like the Tesla freight truck.

Its really pretty.

Not practical. Need to replace a front bumper? Good luck with that. 

It won't pull more weight, electric motors kick ass for towing. The issue for electric trucks is batteries don't contain enough energy to tow the weight as far. My 1T diesel can easily  tow a 12,000 trailer over 400 km and can be refuelled in 10 minutes. With existing battery technology an EV truck can't come close.

Edited December 13, 2023 by Aristides

[Guest]

16 hours ago, Aristides said:

The issue for electric trucks is batteries don't contain enough energy to tow the weight as far.

Which make them useless. Same reason a freight truck is useless as an EV.

If you get paid based on your payload, you need to maximize your payload, and how far your fuel can get you.

Making your fuel source so heavy you have to not only reduce payload, but space in the vehicle makes no sense.

Most people who buy trucks, seek functionality.

Right down to how easy it is to repair.

Lucid Motors have the right idea, in not overhauling the concept of what a car is. But even they are a while out from having their demand dominate the automotive market, let alone EV.