- Audi e-tron
- BMW i3 and i3s
- Chevrolet Bolt
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Kia Niro EV
- Kia Soul EV
- Nissan Leaf and Leaf Plus
- Porsche Taycan
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model X
- Volkswagen eGolf
Looking to ditch the pump? These days, you have options.
Here’s one from the thanks-Captain-Obvious department: Battery electric vehicles have come a long way in the past few years.
Back in 2012 – which doesn’t seem so long ago, really – the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV were pretty well the extent of your choices, unless you could afford a Tesla Model S. The mainstream options couldn’t scrape even 150 km of range out of a single charge, and the public charging network was far from sophisticated. As a result, convincing people to seriously consider EVs as a viable alternative was an uphill battle.
Today, it’s not unusual for an EV to go 400 km without needing a plug, and the network of fast charging stations across the country grows broader with each passing day. If the number of EVs flying off dealer lots is any indication, the interest of Canadians in electric driving has finally been piqued.
If you’re one of them, you may not realize just how much your options have expanded as of late. Here’s a look at the battery electric vehicles available in Canada today.
(Note that stock on many of these models is chronically low across Canada; check with your local dealer for availability. And no, the Tesla Cybertruck and its array of electric competition from traditional truck brands are not yet on this list, nor are the many other electric vehicles that have been announced but cannot yet be seen on public roads.)
Audi e-tron
Starting price: $90,000 Estimated top range: 329 km Peak Power: 355 hp (125 kW front axle motor, 140 kW rear axle motor) Drive type: eAWD
Charging capability: 150 kW
The combination of luxury and electric driving is now expanding beyond the Tesla brand thanks to newer arrivals from premium brands. Audi’s e-tron crossover has been keenly anticipated by enthusiasts, and while its range, power, and charging speed are bested by the more expensive Porsche Taycan, the e-tron’s body style could make it appealing to a wider variety of Canadian drivers. An e-tron Sportback will be added to Audi’s line-up late next year.
BMW i3 and i3s
Starting price: $44,950 Estimated top range: 246 km Peak Power: 170 hp (i3); 181 hp (i3s) Drive type: RWD
Charging capability: 50 kW
The quirky i3 and i3s have kept buzzing along since first being launched by BMW in 2013. Both are available in plug-in hybrid form with two-cylinder range extenders, but the electric versions can get to just shy of 250 km on a charge. A number of similarly priced electric vehicles with a higher range and faster charging have since hit the market, but the i3 is expected to receive a few more upgrades and range boosts before it’s eventually replaced with a different EV product down the road. In the meantime, the i3’s starting price of less than $45,000 means that it qualifies for the federal government’s iZEV incentive program.
Chevrolet Bolt
Starting price: $44,800 Estimated top range: 383 km Peak Power: 200 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 55 kW
The Chevrolet Bolt’s easy-to-use and effective regenerative braking system has kept it in high demand since it arrived for the 2017 model year. It’s also been kept affordable through a starting price that lets all models qualify for the iZEV program. The 2019 model has a range of 383 km, but once the 2020s begin arriving, they’ll be equipped for a slight bump up to an estimated 417 km.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Starting price: $37,899 Estimated top range: 200 km Peak Power: 118 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 100 kW
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is the battery electric iteration of the Ioniq electrified vehicle line-up, which also includes plug-in and traditional hybrid models. It may have the shortest range on this list, but its starting price and ability to qualify for incentives also makes it one of the most affordable, meaning it’s a viable option for someone who knows from the get-go that what they need is a commuting workhorse. An updated version with a 272 km range was announced for 2020 at last month’s Los Angeles auto show.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Starting price: $44,999 Estimated top range: 415 km Peak Power: 201 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 100 kW
In terms of consumer appeal, the Hyundai Kona Electric hits all the marks with its subcompact crossover body style, long range, and quick charging capability. The Kona Electric also qualifies for federal incentives thanks to its sub-$45,000 starting price. Good luck getting your hands on one, though: demand is sky-high across Canada, and stock is scarce.
Jaguar I-Pace
Starting price: $89,800 Estimated top range: 377 km Peak Power: 394 hp (two 150 kW motors, one on each axle) Drive type: eAWD
Charging capability: 100 kW
The Jaguar I-Pace won all kinds of awards in its first year, including 2019 World Car of the Year, 2019 AJAC Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, and 2019 Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year, on top of numerous design awards. Some testers have found it to be inconsistent in its range estimates, but its quality materials and unique esthetic continue to charm its devotees.
Kia Niro EV
Starting price: $44,995 Estimated top range: 385 km Peak Power: 201 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 100 kW
Like its sister brand, Kia is knocking its electric crossover offerings out of the park. The Niro EV is a good bet for the more straight-laced set, matching its more traditional looks with the electric platform it shares with Hyundai (as opposed to the more eccentric Soul EV, which is next up on this list). As with most products at this end of the market, the Niro EV’s base price slides in just below the $45,000 threshold, which is required to qualify for the iZEV incentive program.
Kia Soul EV
Starting price: $42,595 Estimated top range: 383 km Peak Power: 134 hp / 201 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 100 kW
EVs are often styled such that it’s easy to see them coming, but the Soul EV didn’t need to divert much from the gas-powered version to come across as eccentric and fun. The 2019 release marks the second-generation electric version, and the updates have leapfrogged it into being one of the most desirable EVs available right now. Two power levels are available: the Premium version has a 134 hp motor, while the Limited matches the Niro EV’s 201 hp output.
Nissan Leaf and Leaf Plus
Starting price: $42,298 Estimated top range: 242 km/363 km Peak Power: 147 hp / 214 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 50 kW/100 kW
The second-generation Nissan Leaf was joined in 2019 by the addition of the Leaf Plus, which equips a higher-powered motor, a longer range, and 100 kW fast charging. However, rather than simply replacing the standard Leaf with the souped-up version, it remains on offer for those who truly don’t need the extra capability. With the Plus starting at $44,898, both iterations qualify for incentives.
Porsche Taycan
Starting price: $119,400 Estimated top range: 463 km (4S Performance Plus) Peak Power: 750 hp (Turbo S) Drive type: eAWD
Charging capability: 270 kW
Hailed as nothing less than revolutionary, the arrival of the Porsche Taycan has also heralded the introduction of an electric platform capable of 800-volt charging that can recover 100 km worth of range in five minutes – a feat that won Porsche AJAC’s Best Green Innovation award for 2020. (Of course, not many charging stations exist yet that are capable of that level of output, but they’re coming.) Turbo, Turbo S, and 4S models have been announced, each with its own power output, range capability, and pricing. While the 4S stays in the same neighbourhood as the Tesla Model S, the Turbo and Turbo S models will run buyers $173,900 and $213,900 respectively.
Tesla Model 3
Starting price: $44,999 Estimated top range: 518 km Peak Power: 473 hp (Long Range Performance) Drive type: RWD or eAWD
Charging capability: 100 to 250 kW
Gosh, remember when the Model 3 was Tesla’s next big thing? It seems like a long time ago, but it’s now a relatively common sight in larger cities. (Will the Cybertruck follow the same path? That debate will likely rage for just as long.) Five models are available in Canada, one of which is priced at $44,999 to meet the iZEV incentive pricing requirements; however, that version can only be bought at one of Tesla’s retail locations along with the Long Range Base Performance. The Standard, Long Range AWD, and Long Range Performance models can all be purchased through Tesla’s website with the latter being the highest-priced version at $74,600.
Tesla Model S
Starting price: $109,090 Estimated top range: 600 km (Performance) Power: 762 hp Drive type: eAWD
Charging capability: 200 kW
The subject of whether the new Porsche Taycan is appealing enough to turn people away from the original long-range electric car may keep Twitter in business for all time. Currently, the 600 km EPA range available in the Performance model remains the best figures on the market. Pricing starts at $109,090 for the Long Range model, while the Performance model costs $135,090.
Tesla Model X
Starting price: $114,700 Estimated top range: 528 km (Long Range) Power: 762 hp (Performance) Drive type: eAWD
Charging capability: 200 kW
With its seven seats and falcon-wing doors, the Model X is nothing if not unique, particularly among this competitive set. The Long Range model, with the 528 km range and the $114,700 starting price, has a power output of 417 hp. The Performance model, which offers the peak 762 hp but a lower range of 491 km, is priced at $140,700.
Volkswagen eGolf
Starting price: $37,895 Estimated top range: 198 km Power: 134 hp Drive type: FWD
Charging capability: 50 kW
The Volkswagen eGolf is the most affordable battery electric car in Canada – by a whole four dollars over the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. The ranges of the two vehicles are roughly equivalent, though the eGolf offers more power while the Ioniq is capable of faster charging. Ultimately, though, by choosing this car you choose something that looks an awful lot like a gas-powered Golf, which might be appealing enough to some buyers to tip the scales in its favour.
Keyword: Here’s a Look at Every EV Available in Canada