﻿ About EVs | Sustainable Waterloo Region

Why Drive an EV?

Electric vehicles (EVs) provide a number of benefits to both individuals and organizations; from cost savings and improved performance, to reducing your environmental impact. An electric vehicle works to improve your day to day life. Click here for a list of available EVs and associated incentives.

Fun to Drive

Let’s face it, your vehicle is a big part of enjoying your drive. What’s great about EVs is that they provide the same features as conventional vehicles while offering superior performance. EVs produce maximum torque as well as a smooth acceleration from a full stop, ensuring an incredibly fun and pleasurable driving experience. The experience varies between EV manufacturers and models – the best way to understand the the difference is by test driving one!


Cost Savings

Electric vehicles are an affordable option for many Canadians. Plug-in EVs (PEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) can provide significant savings because of reduced fuel costs and minimal scheduled maintenance.

Another cost saving comes in the form of electric vehicle government incentive programs. In Ontario this incentive ranges from $3000 – $14000 depending on battery size, number of seats, and price, as well as up to $1000 for charger purchase and .

These reduced operating costs and incentive programs can reduce the price premium payback period to as little as two years depending on how the vehicle is driven. To better understand the costs associated with owning and operating an Electric Vehicle in Waterloo Region we invite you to check out the CAA’s Electric Vehicle Cost Calculator.

Low Environmental Impact

If you are looking to decrease your carbon footprint, an electric vehicle is a great option. EV’s provide a similar level of mobility, vehicle performance, reliability and safety as conventional vehicles but with reduced fuel costs and low to zero vehicle emissions.

Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which include both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), produce zero tailpipe emissions when driven in all-electric mode. The widespread adoption of EVs has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to climate change and to improve local air quality in Waterloo Region.

The average electric vehicle gives off 350 kg GHG emissions per 20km driven, with the only source of power being electricity. In comparison to a full size, ICE vehicle which emits 3,100 kg and outputs pollutants including GHG emissions.

The numbers are staggering and irrefutable. For example, an EV driver in Ontario can reduce their vehicle’s GHG emissions by 67-95% by switching from a comparable compact, full-size or mid-size gasoline car to an electric car.

Waterloo Region Electric Vehicle Association (WREVA)

WREVA is the EV owners group in Waterloo Region that actively promotes electric vehicles. We collaborate with WREVA on a number of events and activities. An example is the National Drive Electric Week (NDEW), WREVA leads the organization and we closely collaborate with them to promote and ensure the success of the event.  In 2017, more than 400 people attended the event held at Kitchener City Hall.