Find out what a low carbon vehicle is, why you might want to drive one and where you can get more information.
What is an electric vehicle?
An electric vehicle (EV) is any vehicle that is partially or entirely powered by electricity and plugs in to recharge. EVs build on proven hybrid technology and offer even greater reductions in fuel consumption and emissions than conventional hybrids.
There are two types of electric vehicles for sale in Ontario:
- Battery electric vehicles, or BEVs:
- run only on a battery and an electric drive train
- plug into an external source of electricity to recharge
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs:
- plug into an external source of electricity to recharge
- also use an internal combustion engine should the battery run low
Electric vehicles use less (or no) fuel and benefit from lower maintenance and operating costs. EV owners can also take advantage of lower electricity rates when charging at off-peak times. You can charge your EV at home, at work, or at public charging stations. By consuming less (or no) fuel, EVs help reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases. EVs are also eligible for green vehicle licence plates. These plates allow you to drive in all provincial high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes even with only one person in the vehicle.
What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (HFCV)?
HFCVs are vehicles that derive energy by converting the chemical energy stored in hydrogen into electrical energy, which powers an electric motor similar to that found in an electric vehicle.
HFCVs are an emerging zero-emissions transportation technology. They can be refuelled in about five minutes and release no harmful tailpipe emissions when driven. The only by-product of converting hydrogen gas into electricity is water. HFCVs are also eligible for green vehicle licence plates. These plates allow you to drive in all provincial high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes even with only one person in the vehicle.
Fuel Efficient Vehicles
Vehicles in today's market are more fuel efficient than ever, and if you purchase a vehicle with fuel efficiency in mind, you'll be able to save fuel and money for years to come.
Advice for purchasing the most fuel-efficient vehicle that fits your needs:
- Make sure you research the cars you are interested in and determine which is the most fuel efficient. Use Natural Resources Canada's Fuel Consumption Ratings Search Tool to compare the fuel consumption information of different models.
- Find the smallest vehicle that fits your needs since generally, the smaller the vehicle is, the less fuel it consumes. Find a vehicle that fits your everyday needs and consider renting a vehicle or using a car sharing service for the rare occurrences where you need a larger vehicle.
- Determine if you can replace some of the features with fuel efficient ones. Aluminum wheels, cruise control and other features help to reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption.
Resources
For more information about electric vehicles, visit:
