Electric Vehicles

There are two types of electric vehicles available for purchase today:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) are powered solely by a rechargeable battery pack. These vehicles use an electric motor to drive and must be plugged in to recharge the battery. Depending on the vehicle, BEVs have anywhere from 200 km to around 500 km of range. Most BEV owners charge at home and rarely encounter range issues in day-to-day use. During long-distance travel, you may need to stop to charge, but charge times are decreasing dramatically due to higher Level 3 charging capacities. These vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions.

Examples: Tesla Model 3/S/X, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Audi e-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Ford Focus Electric.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) have both a battery that powers an electric motor and an internal combustion engine that operates either in parallel or after the battery is depleted. These vehicles are ideal for short, fully electric trips but also alleviate range anxiety by using gasoline when necessary.

Examples: Chrysler Pacifica PHEV, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, BMW i3, and Ford C-Max Energi.

Sometimes referred to as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), this is the infrastructure that acts as the supply point to charge EVs.

Level 1 (120V – 15A): The charge unit typically included with the purchase of an EV. It can be connected to a standard 120V residential outlet. This type of charging is the slowest, adding about 10 km of range per hour of charge.

Level 2 (208 or 240V – 30 to 100A): A charging unit requiring a 208 or 240V supply with a higher current draw. Available for residential and commercial use, it is the most popular type of charging for public and home locations. A typical Level 2 charger adds between 45 km and 150 km of range per hour, depending on its amperage.

Level 3 (DC Fast Charging, up to 120 kW output): A commercial charging unit capable of recharging a battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, depending on the vehicle and battery size.

Determine what level of charging equipment you need to install for your EV. Factors to consider include driving habits, the size of the EV battery, and the time it takes to recharge.

Check if the type of charging equipment requires a hardwired circuit or if it can be connected to a receptacle. Some types of Level 2 charging equipment can be plugged into a 240V receptacle, like the one used for your dryer. This information can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

Check if there is space left on your home’s electrical panel. Since charging equipment requires a dedicated circuit, there must be space for an additional breaker. If there is no space, a panel upgrade may be required.

If a panel upgrade is required, check with ENWIN Utilities to see if your service size is rated for a panel upgrade. Please email inquiries to tsd@enwin.com.

When installing any type of EV charging equipment that involves wiring to an electrical panel, always hire a licensed electrical contractor to complete the work. To view available contractors in your area, visit the Electrical Safety Authority's website.

Road transportation in Canada is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since Ontario’s electricity is mainly generated by hydroelectric and nuclear generation, the offset of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by driving electric is substantial. One concern about EVs is that their use of lithium-ion batteries also produces GHG emissions. However, lifecycle analysis shows that the battery materials only contribute a small percentage of emissions and show significant reductions in emissions when EVs are on the road compared with internal combustion engines.

Although EVs may start at a higher purchase price than comparable gasoline vehicles, their use of low-cost fuel (electricity) combined with greater fuel efficiency allows for long-term financial savings. Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels, while internal combustion engines only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline. One can expect to dramatically reduce fuel costs by charging at home instead of filling up at the gas station. Additionally, EVs require much less maintenance compared to the complex internal combustion engine.

Check out the cost comparison calculator on the CAA website to understand the savings of driving an EV.

The Federal Government provides consumers with the iZEV Incentive towards the purchase or lease of some electric vehicles. For more information, visit their website.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) promotes EVs with Ontario's Green Vehicle License Plate Program, which allows the use of the HOV lane on major 400-series highways, even with one person in the vehicle. For more information, visit the Ministry of Transportation website.