- A new report by Pollution Probe found that most Canadian EV owners will buy another one
- Unsurprisingly, those who can install home chargers tend to be most satisfied with their vehicles
- EV ownership rose significantly in 2023, but many of the incentives that helped fuel that growth are no longer available
The Canadian electric-vehicle (EV) market is positive overall, but there should be more DC fast-charge stations along major routes for longer-distance travellers, while adding more Level 2 chargers in urban areas would help EV owners who don’t have home charging. That’s from a new report from Pollution Probe, which surveyed EV owners on their charging experience and future purchase intentions.
The report found EV sales in Canada increased by 49% in 2023 compared to 2022, and that they exceeded 180,000 units for the first time (that number includes plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs). In 2023, the number of new Level 2 public charging stations grew by 36%; and DC fast-charging stations by 29%, with more than 27,000 of both types available to the public across the country.
The report also said that the “outlook of the EV market in Canada is positive,” but that’s also because it’s “fuelled by government incentives for consumers”—and we now note that some of these incentives have since been rescinded.
Overall, EV owners who responded to the survey tended to be higher-income, live in single-family homes with dedicated parking, and own at least one non-electric vehicle in addition to their EV. Slightly less than half have owned an EV for less than three years. Most drive their daily commutes on a single charge, with 84% owning an EV with a range greater than 300 km, and only 10% driving it more than 100 km per day; and 44% have access to a charger at work. Some 34% use the EV at least once a month for trips of more than 200 km one-way, which requires them using a public charger.
The survey found that 86% of current EV owners surveyed would “definitely” purchase another one; but among those who don’t have access to home charging, 74% said public stations are a “significant consideration” affecting their future battery-powered purchases. Of those who do have home chargers, 84% mostly use public charging for longer trips. Quebec is highest for EV owner satisfaction—and 46% of them find the number of public charging stations to be adequate, compared to 28% in Ontario and 21% in British Columbia. Most EV owners didn’t have a problem with wait times at charging stations, although 42% said they often saw gasoline-powered vehicles parked in EV charging spots, and 45% said others left their EVs plugged in after they were fully charged.
More than half of EV owners prefer having access to Level 2 chargers at places such as hotels or motel, retail centres, or recreation destinations, while, unsurprisingly, 88% want fast-charge stations at highway stops and gas stations. Only 12% of Tesla owners expressed concerns about fast-chargers being out of service, compared to 33% of non-Tesla owners. Once at a charging station, 46% of EV owners found the signage “unclear,” while 44% had difficulties with the length, weight, or position of the charging cables. While a majority never felt “unsafe” at a public charging station, those who did cited remoted isolated locations or poor lighting at night.
Some 71% of EV owners are signed up for at least two charging networks; and 47% of them find charging fees “reasonable,” although 60% say pricing is inconsistent. Almost half are willing to pay more for faster charging, although this varies by such factors as their income, where they live, and if they have access to home charging. Even so, almost half weren’t willing to work with time-of-use pricing, even if it offered potential cost savings in off-peak hours.
Based on the data, the survey recommends such initiative as incentivizing the installation of Level 2 charging stations in multi-unit residential buildings; standardizing payment methods across charging stations and encouraging “plug and charge” systems; and moving to energy-based kWh billing, rather than paying for the time spent charging.
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.