Finding a reliable electric car is of the utmost importance. After all, if you’re going to put the time, money, and effort into not only buying an electric car (which are typically more expensive than gas-powered vehicles) but also preparing your home for an electric car, you want to know it will last. That is why we’ve put together this blog post focusing on the most reliable electric cars.
A list of the most reliable electric cars in Canada
To help you decide what electric car is right for you, and to help you keep your Toronto car insurance rates low, the BrokerLink team has made a list of the most reliable EVs in Canada. Keep in mind that the most reliable car brands in Canada may not necessarily align with the safest electric cars, especially since not all brands currently make EVs. Continue reading to find out which makes and models of cars have the best reputations for safety and reliability:
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf has been one of the most reliable electric cars on the market for quite some time now. Despite the fact that it’s one of the oldest EV models out there, it has tons of features and capabilities that owners love. For instance, it offers a 239-mile range and a battery that can charge in under an hour and a half using a fast charger. There is also a basic trim level that makes this an affordable EV - a great entry-level option for those looking to purchase their first-ever electric vehicle.
Kia Niro EV
Kia has a long-standing reputation for reliability, and the Kia Niro EV is no different. This electric car comes with a seven-year warranty, has a range of up to 285 miles, offers 201 horsepower, and can be fully charged in under 50 minutes with a rapid charger.
BMW i3
The BMW i3 is another EV with an excellent rating when it comes to safety and reliability. This electric car has a range of up to 145 miles and is extremely compact, making it ideal for urban settings. It also happens to be made of sustainably sourced and recycled materials.
Tesla Model 3
A list of the most reliable electric cars in Canada will of course include Tesla. Specifically, the Tesla Model 3. The Model 3 offers a range of up to 374 miles and 554 horsepower. Plus, as with any Tesla model, you will have access to Tesla’s cutting-edge supercharging stations.
Kia EV6
Kia earns another spot on this list, this time with the EV6. Offering excellent bang for your buck, the Kia EV6 offers up to 325 horsepower, a range of 316 miles, lightning-fast charging speeds, as well as two screens on the dashboard.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most reliable electric SUVs on the market today. Different models offer different capabilities. However, this electric SUV can reach up to 306 horsepower and 298 miles of range. The battery can also go from 0 to 80% charged in just 18 minutes.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is another EV that might be worth your time if reliability is your priority. This mid-sized SUV is available in a long range and a performance version, with the former offering a range of 331 miles and the latter offering a range of 319 miles. As with many Tesla models, the battery can be recharged using a rapid charger in as little as 15 minutes. For Tesla car insurance quotes, contact BrokerLink.
Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is modern, stylish, and most importantly - reliable. There are two versions of this EV, one that has a 189-mile range and another that has a 300-mile range and up to 204 horsepower. It is also spacious, making it an excellent choice for a family.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Finally, the Ford Mustang Mach-E frequently makes the list of the most reliable electric cars in Canada. Symbolizing a new era for the American auto manufacturer, the Ford Mustang Mach-E offers up to 255 miles of range and 487 horsepower. Further, unlike the iconic Mustang, this version is family-oriented, with five seats and a large entertainment system.
Buying an electric car
Before you go out and purchase an electric car, it’s important to consider: Is an electric car worth it? The way to answer this question is by doing your research and learning all about EVs, including the hidden costs of owning an electric car. It’s also crucial to understand how electric cars run and how they differ from other types of cars.
For example, hybrid and electric cars are not one and the same. An electric car runs solely on an electric car battery, unlike a hybrid car that has both an EV battery and a traditional combustion engine. The battery in an electric car, when charged, produces energy that the car’s motor then converts into power. From there, it is disseminated to the wheels, allowing it to run. Thus, when you have an electric car, it runs solely on electricity. In other words, you don’t need to fuel up at the gas station. Instead, you simply need to plug your car into a charger, whether it’s an at-home charger or a public charger; the latter are often faster.
What to think about before purchasing an electric car
There are several factors to consider before purchasing an electric car. These factors range from the price of the car to the vehicle’s reliability. The cost of charging the car and installing an electric car charger at home, as well as maintenance costs, such as replacing your electric car battery if need be, should also be considered. Continue reading for a list of things to think about before purchasing an EV:
The safety and reliability of the electric car
When buying any type of car in Canada, it is crucial that you consider its safety and reliability ratings. Safety ratings are important for all drivers, whether you have a family or not. Further, reliability is also important as this can give you an idea of how long the car will last or how likely it is to break down. Plus, some insurance companies will offer lower rates if your car has a high reliability rating, as cars with such ratings may be more likely to be severely damaged in an accident or get into an accident in the first place.
Do your research to determine what makes and models of electric cars are the safest and most reliable before making your purchase. For a list of the safest cars and safest SUVs in Canada, get in touch with BrokerLink today.
The price of the electric car
The price tag of the electric car you are interested in is another consideration. The reality is that electric cars are still relatively new in the automotive world, which means that they tend to be more expensive.
Experts estimate that the average electric car costs roughly $10,000 more than the average gas-powered vehicle. That said, there are a number of affordable auto manufacturers that have started producing EVs, like Kia and Nissan, which have made these types of cars a lot more affordable.
Even iconic EV brands like Tesla now offer models that start as low as $50,000. Before you buy an EV, look at your budget and do some research to make sure that you can find an electric car within that budget.
Electric car insurance
Electric car insurance is yet another factor that must be considered before buying an EV. Car insurance rates for electric cars may be higher, mainly because these cars tend to be higher in value. Another reason is that electric car parts, such as electric car batteries, are often more expensive than regular car parts. This means that if your car needed to be repaired, it would likely cost more.
In addition, since EVs are newer, not all mechanics are trained or experienced in servicing these types of cars. Thus, labour costs might also be higher. On the other hand, some insurance companies offer discounts to those who drive hybrid or electric cars in an effort to incentivize more Canadian drivers to go green and reduce their carbon footprint. You can learn more about electric car insurance rates and even receive a free insurance quote by contacting BrokerLink.
Charging your electric car
Charging your electric vehicle is another thing that you will need to think about before buying an EV. Specifically, you will need to consider how often you will need to charge your car, how long it will take to charge, and where you plan to charge it. It is also a good idea to research how electric charging stations work. This will give you an idea as to the best type of electric charger for your needs.
There are three main types of electric chargers: Level 1 chargers, Level 2 chargers, and Level 3 chargers (also known as DC fast chargers).
Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are the most likely to be found in your home. However, Level 1 chargers are extremely slow, so they are best suited to those who do not drive very frequently. Level 2 chargers are the most common for at-home use, though they may require some electric upgrades, the cost of which will need to be factored into your budget. Level 2 chargers can charge the average EV in a matter of hours, whereas Level 1 chargers will likely take the whole night or up to 24 hours to bring an electric car to full charge.
Then there are DC fast chargers, which are most often found in public locations, such as office buildings or shopping mall parking lots. These chargers have an extremely high voltage that can charge most EVs in under an hour, maybe even as fast as 15 minutes. However, you will likely need to pay to use these chargers, and regular use of them can degrade your battery.
Electric car batteries
Speaking of electric car batteries, the battery that your chosen car is equipped with is another thing to think about. Electric car batteries vary in terms of capability. That is why you will see that EVs have different ranges.
Nowadays, ranges typically vary between 200 miles and 400 miles. The larger the range, the more capability the battery has. It is worth noting that electric car batteries do not typically last as long as regular car batteries. In fact, they have an average lifespan of approximately 100,000 miles. They also cost much more to replace - between $10,000 and $20,000, on average.
The good news is that most electric car batteries are under warranty, and this warranty typically lasts between eight and ten years and up to 100,000 miles, meaning if the battery breaks down or seriously degrades before this point, the auto manufacturer may pay to replace it. Pay close attention to the range capabilities of the EV you’re interested in buying, as well as the battery warranty, in order to determine if it’s the right car for you.
Tips to make buying an electric car more affordable
Do you want to save money on your electric car purchase? Given the various costs that come with buying and owning an electric car, most EV owners would not be opposed to cutting costs here and there. Thankfully, BrokerLink has all types of strategies, from lowering your insurance premiums to finding free charging stations near you, that can help you save money on an EV:
Get an electric vehicle discount on your car insurance policy
Did you know that many insurance companies across Canada offer discounts to those who drive hybrid and electric vehicles? It’s true! Let your insurance broker know that you drive an electric vehicle, and they will do some research into which insurers offer hybrid and electric car discounts. With this type of discount, you can save on many types of auto insurance, from third party liability insurance to accident forgiveness coverage.
Charge your EV at free charging stations
If you want to minimize how much your utility bills rise at home, consider charging your electric car at free public charging stations. You might be surprised to learn how many complimentary public charging stations are out there. More often than not, you will find these types of chargers at hotels, on university or college campuses, or in front of office buildings.
Further, some automakers offer free EV charging for a certain period of time after purchasing the car. Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, and Porsche are just a few brands that offer this.
Buy an electric car with a high safety rating
As mentioned above, buying an electric car that is safe and reliable is extremely important for several reasons, one of which is that it can keep the costs of car ownership low.
First, if you drive a car with lots of safety features and a reputation for reliability, you may be less likely to get into an accident. It also may be less likely to break down, both of which will cost you money. Even if your insurance covers damage from an accident, your rates may increase after getting into an accident. Further, some insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who drive safe cars as they may be less likely to get into accidents.You can find out more about how accidents affect car insurance rates by taking a look at our blog.
Charge your electric car overnight
If you decide to charge your EV at home and you’ve gone to the trouble of installing a charger in your home, we recommend charging it during off-peak hours. Many electric companies offer cheaper rates for usage at off-peak times.
Call your electric provider to find out what hours these are, although more often than not, they are overnight, such as between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Research federal and local government incentives
In an effort to incentivize Canadian drivers to reduce their emissions, many branches of the government now offer credits to those who buy eco-friendly cars. These credits are usually highest for EV owners.
For instance, Transport Canada offers a $5,000 credit to those who purchase electric cars for hybrid cars, this credit is only $2,500. There are also a number of incentives offered at the provincial and municipal levels, so be sure to research other credits that may apply to you.
Choose a high deductible for your electric car insurance policy
Selecting a high deductible for your electric car insurance policy is another way to make owning an EV cheaper because it will bring your insurance rates down. There are a number of factors that influence how much a person pays for car insurance.
These include your age, driving record, claims history, home address, gender, the make and model of the car you drive, and the deductibles you select for your policy. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be.
If you want to reduce how much you spend on electric car insurance instantly, consider raising your deductible by $500 or $1,000. Just make sure that you can afford to pay your deductible amount in the event of a claim.
Reach out to BrokerLink for your electric car insurance
If you want to receive an insurance quote for any make and model of cars, contact BrokerLink today. We are auto insurance experts who can help you decide between purchasing an electric car and another type of vehicle. We can also explain how choosing a safe and reliable electric car will benefit you in more ways than one.
In addition, we can help you find a quality car insurance policy that both meets your needs and complies with local laws in your province. We will ensure your policy contains all types of mandatory coverage in your province. However, we can also recommend additional protection. A few of the types of car insurance that we can help you find include:
Find the best car insurance policy for your reliable electric car by contacting BrokerLink today. We can be reached by phone, email, or in person. You can also request a free quote using the online quote tool on our website. Answer a few questions about yourself, and you’ll receive a free quote in as little as five minutes.
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