Cheapest Electric Cars in Canada for 2023

Electric cars have become a part of our culture. Despite the fact that the first electric car was created in 1832, it’s only been in the pat two decades that it became viable for people to own one. With environment being a huge priority for the whole world, it became a necessity to create a car that was easier on the environment. One of the most popular electric cars is the Tesla but it comes at a pretty high price. There are many different car companies that are making it more affordable. Now that there’s so much competition, it’s opened up the market and we’re seeing prices drop. These cars offer great features and make it a pleasure to drive.

If you’re looking for an electric car that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, there’s an option for every budget. There’s also the incentives that come with owning an electric car that reduces your overall cost. You can potentially get personal loans to help you purchase one of these cost-effective vehicles.

Quick Links

1. iZEV-Approved Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
2. What Exactly is an Electric Car?
3. Types of Electric Cars
4. Pros and Cons of Owning an Electric Car
5. Cheapest Electric Cars in Canada
   1. 2020 Toyota Prius Prime
   2. 2020 Ford Fusion Energi
   3. 2020 Ford Escape PHEV
   4. 2019 Volkswagen e-golf
   5. 2020 MINI Cooper SE
   6. 2020 Hyundai IONIQ Electric
   7. Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Electric Cars for 2023

iZEV-Approved Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

Vehicles under $45,000 include:

If your heart is set on getting a Tesla, the cheapest model is the Tesla Model 3 at $59,990.

What Exactly is an Electric Car?

An electronic car has a battery to power it with an electric motor that needs to be charged. The electronic cars of today offer similar performance to a gas powered vehicle but it’s fueled by electricity. You have to plug the car in to power it up again, drawing electricity from a grid instead of filling it up with gas. The electricity is stored in the rechargeable battery, which is responsible for powering the motor.

Types of Electric Cars

Plug-Electric

This is a hybrid car that allows you to fill the car up with gasoline. It has a larger batter, charged by an outside power source. When the battery is working, the car is powered solely by electricity. The gasoline engine doesn’t function but will kick in once the battery drains out. This is a great option in Canada because there are a lot of long trips in this vast country. Having both options can be advantageous if there are not many plug-in areas in remote destinations especially.

Plug-in hybrids allow you to save on fuel while not relying solely on the electric battery. You can use the electric mode for short trips while long journeys may require a gas engine as a backup. It gives you good peace of mind to have the back up.

Fully Electric

A fully electric car runs on electricity and doesn’t have an engine. The batteries in a fully electric car are larger and come with more power that’s capable of operating over longer ranges. You have to be quite organized on a journey, marking out the power-up stations that will be on your route. There are many different spots along any highway in Canada now, making it a lot easier.

Pros and Cons of Owning an Electric Car

Less Repairs and Maintenance Costs

Electric cars don’t require as much upkeep as a gas powered car. They were made with ease of use in mind and come with robust parts. You save money because you don’t have to maintain them through oil changes, filters, batteries, and other car repairs.

Enjoyable Driving

Electric cars are so incredibly quiet when they’re running, you may sometimes think it’s not running at all. As there’s no engine or transmission noise, it’s completely quiet. Electric cars are lighter and corner well and actually accelerate faster than a gas engine car does.

Less Fuel Costs

Gas continuously fluctuates and in recent years, it’s been inflated. This is part of the reason that electric cars have become so popular. The amount of money you can save on fuel makes up for the cost of purchasing a new car. Not only do you receive rebates for having an electric car, the average Canadian saves over $2,000 per year based on traveling 20,000 kms. If you have a fully electric car, you won’t have this expense any longer. Electric car companies offer financing options in Canada even for bad credit car loans.

Healthier for the Environment

Many Canadians are doing their best to be gentle on the earth and having an electric car is one way to do that. Electric cars are reducing greenhouse gas emissions because they don’t emit carbon dioxide.

Limited Driving Range 

When you’re driving an electric car, you do have to plan your route carefully. Expect to recharge your car every 80 to 160 kilometers. It can take time to charge the battery as well, increasing how long your travel is. They’re not always ideal for long journeys and it’s possible to be stranded with a dead battery and no charging station in sight.

More Expensive

While the prices for electric cars have reduced, they’re still generally a little more expensive than a gas-run car. Expect to pay between $30,000 – $45,000. With that said, there are incentives and rebates that reduce the cost over time. Also, you don’t have to pay for gas any longer.

Long Recharging Times

Every model varies when it comes to how long it takes to fully recharge your car. Generally, expect it to take 4 to 20 hours for a full charge.

Limited Choice 

The electric car is still pretty new so there’s not as many models and brands available when compared to the well-established gas engine.

Cost of Public Charging

You can expect to pay $1.00 per hour for a level 2 charger and $15 per hour for a level 3 charger.

Cheapest Electric Cars in Canada

Here is our list of the cheapest electric cars for 2023.

2020 Toyota Prius Prime

The Toyota brand has long been noted for their reliable vehicles with excellent features. The Toyota Prius Prime is a hybrid that uses cutting-edge smart technology with great fuel efficiency. Not only that but it has an attractive interior. The 2020 model allows you to buy in at a cheaper price than the most up-to-date model. Features include a revamped infotainment system and two additional USB ports. It seats five people and is a great vehicle if you live in a city. Some of the things that could be improved is the small cargo area. It’s also not very powerful and some drivers have commented that it doesn’t have the greatest shock system as you can feel any rough surface you go over.

2020 Ford Fusion Energi

This is an affordable hybrid sitting at a price of $32,930. It’s a midsize sedan that Ford has been making since 2013. This is always a good sign because with every model, it’s improved. Ford has been adjusting the technology over the years and it shows. The nice thing about the Ford Fusion Energy is that it’s roomy. It has nice features like heated side mirrors, an infotainment system, and a spacious interior.

It’s a nice ride that’s incredibly quiet even when you’re driving at high speeds on highways. It doesn’t have the greatest handling and there’s not much space in the trunk. It also doesn’t have a very long driving range for the electric components.

2020 Ford Escape PHEV

The Ford Escape hybrid was introduced in 2005 and has since undergone many changes for the better. There are many technology and safety features that make this a good buy along with how good it looks inside and out. It’s a compact SUV with a long driving range and an updated design that makes it agile and fuel-efficient.

While it’s an SUV, there is not all wheel drive function and the cargo area is small as is the rear-seat area.

2019 Volkswagen e-golf

The Volkswagen e-golf is the company’s debut electric car. It’s a hatchback with a bunch of different energy-saving technology built into it. It has a stunning interior that makes it feel like a luxury car with plenty of trunk space.  It’s got the same feel to it as the original Golf with some changes to the inside and outside of the car. There’s been great reviews about the smooth ride and craftsmanship that’s connected to the Volkswagen brand. It’s a great city car but not suitable for long journeys.

2020 MINI Cooper SE

The MINI came out with it’s own version of a fully-electric car and put an affordable price tag on it no less. It’s still got the same style as a gas powered mini and boasts strong performance and great handling. It can go from zero to 60 in an impressive 6.1 seconds. The interior is a little bit different but otherwise, it’s much like the sassy look you’d get from a gas powered MINI. Even the base model comes with a variety of features you’ll love. It’s another city car as opposed to long journeys and like any MINI, it’s got a small backseat capacity and a small trunk.

2020 Hyundai IONIQ Electric

The electric Hyundai hatchback offers a great driving range so it’s good for even longer journeys. This model was originally released in 2016 and has received many upgrades throughout the years to improve it. This includes a faster onboard charger, a bigger battery, and other optional features that improve your driving experience. It comes with driving aids, lots of cargo space, and one of the most fuel efficient cars in the electric car market.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Electric Cars in Canada for 2023

What are the incentives on having an electric car?

The Federal Government of Candada offers electric car owners a purchase incentive of up to $5,000. In BC, this incentive is $8,000.

Is there more maintenance involved in an electric car?

No. Actually, they require less maintenance than a gas powered car. You don’t have to do oil changes, change filters, or repair exhaust systems.

How many times will I need to change the battery in my electric car?

The car batter in your electric car is meant to last the whole life of the car so there’s no need to replace it. Batteries for regular cars only last up to five years. The battery of an electric car does eventually deteriorate so it may take a long time to charge and drain faster. Generally, an electric car battery has an 8-year life span.

What is the cheapest electric car available in Canada?

For the plug-in hybrid, the cheapest car is the Toyota Prius Prime at a cost of $32,990. The cheapest fully electric car we found was the Volkswagen e-golf, which costs $37,895.