Looking for an inexpensive electric vehicle? |
Gas prices are currently being affected by whatever U.S. President Donald Trump says or does — and no one likes to be at the mercy of these unpredictable fluctuations.
So now that gas prices have skyrocketed to over $2 a litre in many parts of Canada, more Canadians are searching for an affordable electric vehicle.
There are more than 6,500 electric vehicles (EVs) for sale in Ontario, according to recent listings, with SUVs and sedans dominating the market. Popular makes and models include the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai and Chevrolet, with a significant selection of used options available.
AutoTrader.ca and CarGurus.ca show listings of roughly 4,060 EVs for sale within 50 kilometres of Toronto, with a higher provincial total approaching 6,600.
The following used EVs were recently advertised for sale in Peterborough for under $31,000:
2017 Mitsubishi I-MIEV $8,498 — Peterborough Mitsubishi
2017 Kia Sportage LX $13,998 — Peterborough KIA
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV 1LT FWD $24,371 — CarGurus.ca Peterborough
2023 Hyundai Kona $19,832 — AutoTrader.ca Peterborough
2025 Kia Niro HEV Ex FWD $30,998 — Peterborough KIA
The following EVs were recently available near Peterborough for under $32,000:
2018 Kia Soul EV $9,090 Used — Clutch.ca
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV $19,998 — AutoTrader.ca Milton
2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric $19,895 — AutoTrader.ca Scarborough
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV $25,565 — AutoTrader.ca Lindsay
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric $25,999 — CarGurus.ca Brampton
2024 Toyota bZ4X $31,327 — CarGurus.ca Richmond Hill
To address range anxiety, the new BYD has an 800 km range on a single charge, and the DIY Phoenix EV just broke the world record for longest distance on a single charge of 1,203 km.
The new federal Electric Vehicle Affordability Program currently provides up to $5,000 rebate for battery-electric and up to $2,500 rebate for plug-in hybrid vehicles, for vehicles of up to $50,000 or less, with no price cap for Canadian-made EVs. These are point-of-sale incentives.
This federal rebate can be combined with provincial incentives as well. These incentives are expected to decrease over time, so it would be wise to start looking for an EV now and start saving on gas, oil and maintenance as soon as possible.
According to an update from Inside EVs, home charging is one of the biggest benefits of driving an EV. Any EV can be fully charged at any ordinary home garage outlet — the same outlet used for a toaster.
I fully charge my 2022 Kona Hyundai EV in my garage outlet overnight and can then drive it to the Toronto airport and back — twice. Once drivers realize they can plug an EV into any outlet anywhere, range anxiety is drastically reduced.
It is the most economical, dependable car I’ve ever owned. It only cost $22,000 and I’ve saved hundreds of dollars and hours of my time not having to line up for gas or maintenance.
The battery has a 10-year warranty on it. I charge it from my garage outlet to 450 km and can drive it almost anywhere in Ontario with no range anxiety whatsoever. Our electricity bill has only increased by about $10 to $15 a month so my Kona EV only costs me $15 a month to drive.
I have a PlugShare app and Flo app on my phone that informs me where EV charging ports are in Ontario, but so far, I’ve never had to use one.
Many people think EVs are too expensive to buy; however, many reliable used models are available for under $25,000 at several local car dealerships and online.
CarGurus.ca shows high listings throughout Ontario for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, alongside Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Cadillac Lyriq.
An EV not only saves money on gas, oil and maintenance but also saves the environment from harmful, toxic carbon dioxide emissions.
To learn more about electric vehicles, the third annual Home Energy and EV Expo takes place on Saturday, May 23 at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre in Peterborough from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
It feels good to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. I hope to see more EVs on the road this spring.