Operational and environmental benefits
Lower operating costs
Operating costs for electricity and
maintenance are significantly lower in EVs compared to their ICE vehicle
counterparts. In Alberta, operating an EV over an ICE vehicle could reduce
annual fuel and maintenance costs up to 72% depending on vehicle type and the
cost of fuel/electricity. To learn more about the savings associated with
electric passenger vehicles, see the EV Savings Calculator.
Lower maintenance costs
Typical EV drivetrains have 90% fewer moving
parts, which reduces the amount of regular maintenance required. These
drivetrains use regenerative braking, which saves energy and extends the useful
life of the vehicle’s brake pads. Over time the reduced costs for maintenance
can offset an EV’s higher purchase price (EVM program funding also helps to
reduce the upfront costs for EV purchases). In Alberta, annual maintenance
costs can be reduced up to 48% with a EV compared to an ICE vehicle.
Environmentally friendly
EVs are more environmentally
friendly than ICE vehicles. BEVs do not produce emissions when in operation,
and PHEVs only produce emissions when operating in fuel mode. Despite the
prevalence of fossil fuels in Alberta’s electricity grid, studies demonstrate
that EVs are still less greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive. As the Alberta
electricity grid adds more renewable energy, fewer GHGs will be produced as a
result of driving an EV. Over the lifetime of their use, EVs produce less
overall GHG emissions (roughly half) than their ICE counterparts, despite the
carbon-intensive manufacturing of EVs. In fact, BEVs typically offset their
excess manufacturing emissions within the first 6-16 months of operation due to
the absence of tailpipe emissions.