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Montréal, April 20, 2023 - On the eve of the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show, which runs from April 21 to 23, a survey conducted by Équiterre as part of its Running Electric campaign showed that wait times for electric vehicles (EVs) are shorter than some might think.
The survey, entitled "Donnez-nous des nouvelles” [Let us know] was conducted in December 2022 among 2,382 respondents who participated in Running Electric events or test drives. The purpose of the survey, which is carried out once a year, is to determine the importance of test-drive events and other factors influencing EV purchases and to understand the behaviour of potential buyers.
Survey highlights:
Since April 2021, 55% of those purchasing new EVs were able to take delivery of their vehicles in less than six months, while 30% waited between six months and a year. In addition, a well-designed Canadian standard for zero-emission vehicles could further reduce these wait times and improve vehicle availability.
For used vehicles, the wait times are even shorter, or sometimes non-existent. Over half the purchasers waited less than a week and more than 40% took delivery in under four weeks.
81% of respondents who purchased a vehicle opted for an all-electric electric model, as opposed to a plug-in hybrid (13%) or a gasoline-powered model (7%). The trend in the proportion of full plug-in vehicles to plug-in hybrids has been dramatic: in the most recent survey done in September 2021, 65% of purchases were for EVs, and 20% were plug-in hybrids. We saw a rise in the number of EVs in the household fleet, which means that there is a growing shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles.
"These days, it's conventional wisdom that there is an awfully long wait time to get an electric vehicle, and that it can even take as long as several years for delivery. What the survey shows is that in the majority of cases and for most models, purchasers get their vehicles within a few months. We need to debunk this myth and send a message to people who are thinking about buying electric that the wait times aren't as bad as you might think."
- Christine Beaulieu,Running Electric spokesperson for the past 5 years
“I'm also very encouraged to see that people are increasingly opting for fully electric models instead of plug-in hybrids. It shows that concerns are lessening, that the technology is delivering on its promises and that people are becoming more trusting. When I first started as spokesperson for Running Electric, there was still a sense of fear in this regard. I can feel it diminishing and that's good news, both for the environment and for breaking free from our collective dependence on fossil fuels," she adds.
Road tests a determining factor
The survey also showed that for many Quebecers, test drives played an important role in their decision to purchase an EV. Half (51%) of those who bought an EV said that the test drives influenced their decision. Most of these tests were conducted with the help of volunteer EV owners from the Association des Véhicules Électriques du Québec (AVÉQ).
This is why the Running Electric campaign will continue to organize EV test drives throughout Quebec over the coming year. The Montréal Electric Vehicle Show is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this type of driving experience with the teams from AVEQ and Running Electric and to come and test drive one of the 60 vehicles available on-site.
"In Quebec, if you absolutely have to have a vehicle,* going electric is still the best choice. In view of the high cost of gasoline and the climate crisis, choosing this type of vehicle is still an excellent economic and environmental option," states Beaulieu.
In closing, there are a number of test drive events, training sessions and webinars scheduled to take place this spring as part of the series of events being sponsored by Running Electric. This province-wide showcase of electrification activities will include a webinar hosted by Hydro Québec on the energy needs related to the electrification of transportation (May 31 at noon) and a webinar on the Quebec government's Roulez VErt subsidy program (June 8 at 12:15). For more details and to view the program, visit the web site.
* However, Équiterre, which is coordinating the Running Electric campaign, points out that for anyone contemplating the purchase of a vehicle, it is important to first carry out a thorough needs assessment. If there are alternate mobility options available, such as walking, biking, car-sharing or public transit, these are still the most eco-friendly ones to be considered. Équiterre also points out that light-duty trucks (which include pickups and SUVs), whether electric or not, impact other areas, such as household finances and the safety of other highway users.
Note: Christine Beaulieu will be available for in-person interviews at the media event to launch the Montréal Electric Vehicle Show on Friday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Olympic Stadium.
About Running Electric
Running Electric is an educational and promotional campaign on electric vehicles, coordinated by Équiterre with the financial support from the Government of Québec under the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy.
Équiterre's offices are located on Indigenous lands that have not been ceded by treaty, which we now call Montreal and Quebec City. We recognize that Indigenous peoples have protected their territories since immemorial times and have used their traditional knowledge to guard the lands and waters. We are grateful to live on these lands and are committed to continuing our efforts to protect them. Read more »
