Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/144909
jump-start the trend, though – like the rising cost of gas and improvements in battery technology. But regardless of why or when, change is coming. And that means it's time to bone up on the latest advancements. Adoption Unknown Projecting the uptake of electric cars is tricky. "Most experts agree that consumer acceptance of these vehicles is in its infancy," says Lane. Studies from Renault, Ford Canada and JD Power & Associates say electric cars will amount to 10 per cent of total car sales by 2020. Early adopters are expected to be people who already own a hybrid or a highly fuel-efficient car and who have an annual income of more than $100,000. Price Points Electric cars are pricey in Canada; the Nissan Leaf, for example, costs about $40,000. This is because they use expensive batteries, either lithium ion or nickel metal hydride. These require replacing after 200,000 km and can cost as much as $10,000. But that price is likely to come down as the technology becomes more widely accessible. In addition, some provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, offer cash incentives to purchase an electric vehicle – as much as $10,000. No word yet on whether the Saskatchewan government will follow suit. For a guide on hybrid and electric vehicles, check out CAA's ebook, Gas, Hybrid and Electric: What You Need to Know, at caa.ca/newengines. Positive Energy Electric cars accelerate faster, are quieter and have no stinky or environmentally damaging tailpipe emissions; who knows, one day they might not even need a tailpipe. After tooling around town, you can head home, plug in your car and feel good about mitigating your carbon footprint. Bonus: charging up costs a fraction of filling up. Range Anxiety A 2010 study by Deloitte identified "range anxiety" as one of the most pervasive barriers to mass adoption of electric cars, meaning most consumers are afraid they won't get far enough on a charge. The same study found that 500 kilometres is the minimum range most consumers would consider before buying an electric car. "Consumers' expectations for electric vehicles are similar to those for their conventional gasoline-powered cars," says Lane. How do current models stack up against gasoline-powered cars? The Nissan Leaf gets about 160 km per charge. The Chevy Volt's battery carries it just 65 km, but its combustion engine can stretch that out to 500 km. "It's important to note that use of the heating and air-conditioning systems will also reduce the range of the vehicle," says Lane. Another drawback of electric vehicles: charging up isn't as fast as filling up. The Chevy Volt takes eight hours to charge in a standard 110-volt outlet. The Nissan Leaf takes 16 hours. WESTWORLD p48-49_Automotive.indd 49 >> S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 49 4/13/12 12:52:28 PM