Andrew and Debbie Spadzinski with their 2017 e-Golf, in front of the solar panel that helps power their home. As an electrical contractor, Mr. Spadzinski also has an elaborate geothermal home heating system.This article was written and edited before Krystyna Lagowski passed away in October 2023. She was a valued member of the Globe Drive team, contributing regularly since 2022 on topics including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, car buyer protection and dealer regulation.
Cimello lives in rural Hubbards, N.S., about 50 kilometres west of Halifax, where gas was hovering around $1.65 a litre when he spoke to The Globe and Mail. At that price, he says it costs $14.08 to travel 100 kilometres in a gas-powered Kona, but only $4.10 in the EV. Cimello drives mostly on highways and says the Kona’s 400-kilometre range is more than enough.
The e-Golf cost nearly $6,500 more than its gas-powered twin, but Spadzinski saved more than that in the first five years. On top of his gas savings, his maintenance and repair costs are also significantly lower, having spent just $600 annually on the EV – about $130 yearly inspection for brakes, plus replacement air-cabin filters and windshield wipers.
Their cost savings are typical, according to Trevor Melanson, director of communications at Vancouver-based climate-change think tank Clean Energy Canada. Brakes can last longer than their combustion-engine brethren because of regenerative braking. However, because EVs are heavier, suspension components can start to wear at about 100,000 to 120,000 kilometres. “A Tesla Model S is about 6,000 pounds, where the average sedan is about 4,000,” Repar says. EVs typically have more power and torque than conventional cars, so aggressive drivers may notice earlier strain on the suspension.