Published: November 14, 2019, 12:30 AM
Updated: November 22, 2019, 2:42 AM
Your EV shopping guide
If you’re ready to make the switch from gas to electric – or, at least, partially electric – take a look through this gallery to discover every battery electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that can currently be bought new in Canada. From affordable commuters to the height of luxury, you might be surprised by the depth of options on the market today.
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Vorsprung durch electric – Audi e-tron
The long-awaited German electrics are arriving, and the Audi e-tron is leading the charge (pun intended). Priced from $90,000, it launches in Canada with a 329-km range and futuristic looks built into the ever-popular crossover body style. The e-tron’s total of 355 hp comes from a 125-kW motor on the front axle with 182 lb-ft of torque, and a 140-kW rear motor that produces 232 lb-ft.
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5 Series goes electric – BMW 530e
The plug-in electric addition to BMW’s 5 Series line-up, the 530e, is priced from $67,500. Capable of 24 km of electric-only driving and equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, it delivers a combined peak power output of 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
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Electric opulence – BMW 740 Le
If you’re looking to enjoy green motoring from the back seat as much as at the wheel, the plug-in BMW 7 Series might be for you. Rated for 23 km of pure electric driving and delivering a total system output of 322 hp, pricing starts at $122,300.
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Regular and sport flavours – BMW i3 and i3s
There are two variants of the i3 available in Canada, the standard i3 and the more sport-oriented i3s. The latter gets a slightly more powerful electric motor – 135 kW as opposed to the base i3’s 125 kW – and both are available with the range extender that pulls the electric driving potential up to 156 km as rated by NRCan. Pricing starts at $44,950, which means all variants qualify for the federal government’s iZEV incentive program.
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A plugged-in supercar – BMW i8
A new i8 has arrived that heralds the arrival of top-down electrified driving. The traditional i8 is now known as the i8 Coupe, and the convertible version is the i8 Roadster. Both come with an upgraded 11.6-kWh battery and 105-kW motor for a combined power output of 369 hp. The Coupe starts at $149,900 and the Roadster at $169,900.
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Now with longer range – Chevrolet Bolt
Heralded as an affordable, approachable all-electric car that busts range anxiety, the Chevrolet Bolt offers up to 383 km of potential driving distance on a single charge. At a starting price of $44,800, all trims qualify for the federal government’s iZEV incentive program. An updated model with a slightly longer range is on deck for 2020, but that doesn’t mean you can score a deal on a 2019; dealers can barely keep them on the lots.
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A solid rural option – Chevrolet Volt
General Motors has discontinued the Chevrolet Volt, but the model is still listed on the brand’s website and inventory is still available. For people who regularly make long or remote drives, the Chevrolet Volt delivers the best of both worlds. Priced from $40,195, the Volt offers 85 km of electric range and a total EPA-estimated potential driving distance of approximately 676 km.
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The green people-mover – Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
When Chrysler talks about Canada’s first and only hybrid minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid, the fact that it’s a plug-in doesn’t always come up. (Perhaps they think you’ll worry about forgetting to connect it while you’re herding the kids through the front door.) But with a range of up to 53 all-electric kilometres, it’s one of the more planet-friendly and affordable vehicles around for getting up to seven people around comfortably. Pre-incentive pricing starts at $53,990 with federal incentives and additional discounts available.
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Hybrid comfort and style – Ford Fusion Energi
Ford’s sedans are not long for this world, but the Fusion Energi is holding on for 2020. It combines 35 km of all-electric range with an efficient gasoline powertrain for a total of 947 km of driving on a full tank plus charge. Pricing starts at $35,930.
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The Honda Clarity Plug-in is a relatively new entry into the PHEV field and is currently Honda’s only product that comes with a plug. It puts 77 km of electric-only driving into an affordable car with plenty of premium touches. Starting from $40,100 before incentives, it sports a 17-kWh battery and a combined power output of 212 hp.
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A sub-brand selection – Hyundai Ioniq Electric and Electric Plus
Hyundai’s rapidly expanding electrified line-up started with its Ioniq sub-brand. The Electric Plus plug-in hybrid starts at $32,299, and the fully Electric is priced from at $37,899. The plug-in version has an electric-only range of 47 km and a combined power output of 164 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, while the electric version uses its 88-kW electric motor to go up to 200 km on a charge.
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An instant hit – Hyundai Kona Electric
As it turns out, putting an electric power source into a crossover body is a huge hit with Canadians – and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Kona drives very well and qualifies for federal incentives. At a starting price of $44,999, just under the iZEV program cap, the Kona offers 201 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque to go with its 64-kWh battery and estimated 415-km range on a single charge.
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Electric’s long game? – Hyundai Nexo
Some experts foresee hydrogen fuel cell vehicles being the form of electric driving that sticks since refueling with hydrogen is much faster than recharging a battery. Hyundai’s testing the waters with the launch of the Nexo, a crossover FCEV that’s being integrated into some regional car sharing programs and made available at select dealerships. A 5-minute refill will provide a driving range of up to 570 km. Pricing has not yet been announced.
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One celebrated crossover – Jaguar I-Pace
Selected as the 2019 World Car of the Year and the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s 2019 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, the Jaguar I-Pace certainly arrived to plenty of accolades. With a base price of $89,800, this all-wheel-drive electric has a 90-kWh battery good for an estimated 377-km range, and a pair of 150-kW electric motors that together produce 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque.
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High-powered PHEV – Karma Revero
Now available in Canada, the Karma Revero is a reborn version of the Fisker Karma after the latter company was bought by Wanxiang Group in China from a bankruptcy sale. Its two electric motors produce a combined output of 403 hp and 981 lb-ft of torque, and its 21-kWh battery delivers an electric-only range of up to 80 km. The solar roof that gathers charge from sunlight is a particularly interesting feature. Pricing starts at $149,000.
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One product line, two options – Kia Niro EV and PHEV
The Korean brands are expanding their electrified offerings at a lightning pace. Among the new offerings from Kia this year is the Niro EV (from $44,995) to go along with the Niro PHEV (from $33,965). The fully electric version can go 385 km on a charge and is rated at 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque, while the plug-in hybrid has a 42-km electric-only range and a combined system performance of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
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Nearly 50 all-electric km – Kia Optima Plug-In
The all-electric range on the Kia Optima plug-in hybrid is 47 km, which is one of the higher figures in the large sedan class. Pricing starts at $43,995 before incentives for the EX model, which includes key features such as blind spot detection and autonomous emergency braking, but for a bigger spend buyers can add niceties like air-cooled seats and a panoramic sunroof.
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Boldly green – Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul EV is perhaps this country’s easiest-to-spot electric vehicle. A new model was released for 2019 that starts at $42,595 and offers very similar specifications to the Niro EV at 201 hp, 291 lb-ft of torque, and 383 km range, but it’s all rolled up into a quirky yet functional package.
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A right-sized electrified SUV - Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e
Canadians are in love with compact SUVs, and Mercedes-Benz has put an electrified one on the market with the introduction of the GLC 350e. With standard all-wheel drive, a net system power output of 315 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, and up to 21 km of electric-only range, the GLC 350e starts at $61,200.
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Go-anywhere efficiency – Mini Cooper S E Countryman
BMW brings Mini into the electric game by offering a plug-in hybrid iteration of the Mini Countryman. With its quirky styling, family-friendly size, and go-anywhere attitude, the Countryman adds an element of fun to driving efficiency – there’s even a graphic fish who helps by encouraging you to be smooth with the pedals. Its electric range was rated by NRCan at a lower-than-expected 19 km. Pricing starts at $44,590.
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The mainstream electrified SUV - Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is where Mitsubishi Motors has placed its electrified bets for now and is able to run up to 35 km on electric power alone. Surprisingly, this is the only PHEV SUV on the market capable of Level 3 recharging. Pricing starts at $43,498 before incentives.
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Improving on an original - Nissan Leaf and Leaf Plus
Nissan introduced the longer-range Leaf Plus for the 2019 model year with a 214-hp motor and a 363-km range. This builds on the new model’s more mainstream design, and desirable features like ProPilot Assist suite of driver assist technologies, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and ePedal 1-pedal driving. Before incentives, the entry model is priced at $42,298.
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A breakout brand – Polestar 1
Once upon a time, Polestar was the performance tuning arm of Volvo. Today, it’s operating as a standalone brand and leading the development and release of electrified models for the two brands. With a carbon fibre construction plus a combined 619 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque to go with its 112 km all-electric range, the Polestar 1 is the first release and the halo car for the new brand with a price of $199,000.
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Efficiency for the enthusiast - Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid
The next generation of Cayenne has arrived, and with it comes a new Cayenne e-hybrid. Priced at a starting point of $93,000, it offers a combined power output of 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and it can go up to 44 km solely on electric power.
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Electrified and electrifying – Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
Porsche enthusiasts looking for a plug-in hybrid solution have plenty of options within the Panamera line-up – the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is available in the standard and Sport Turismo configurations with six different models available. The base Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is priced at $117,800 and has 457 hp of combined power output, while the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive rings in at $226,500 and delivers 677 combined horsepower.
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Fast fast-charging – Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan is certainly among the most hotly-anticipated EVs of all time. Not only are enthusiasts jazzed about its stylish looks and power output as high as 751 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque in Turbo models, but it’s also the fastest-charging EV on the market with an 800-volt architecture capable of charging 100 km worth of range in five minutes. Pricing in Canada starts at $119,400.
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EV for the everyman – Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 has become a common sight on urban Canadian roads. If you’re interested in picking one up, pricing starts at $55,990 for the Standard Range Plus model with 402 km of range and rear-wheel drive. For an all-wheel drive model, range goes up to a maximum of 499 km.
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A perennial go-to – Tesla Model S
The original anxiety-busting sedan, capable of going up to 600 km (according to EPA figures) between charges, is still going strong and can frequently be spotted silently cruising around Canada’s major urban centres. Pricing starts at $109,090.
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Fully electric family hauler - Tesla Model X
The eccentric Model X 7-seat crossover with its signature gullwing doors has a drag coefficient of 0.24, making it the most aerodynamic crossover on the market. The entry-level model has an EPA-rated range of 528 km on a full charge. Pricing starts at $116,090.
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Entering a new segment – Tesla Model Y
Tesla ventures into the compact crossover segment with the arrival of its new Model Y variant. Starting at an estimated 483 km range, the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive long range models are available for order now with pricing starting at $66,390. Production of standard-range units is expected to begin in early 2021.
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Toyota’s most advanced hybrid – Toyota Prius Prime
The Prius Prime’s 40 km electric-only range from its 8.8-kWh battery is 22% more efficient than the previous Prius plug-in. It gets 121 net hp from a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine and electric motor. $32,990 will get you in the door with features like the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of safety technologies, but if you want the 11.6-inch touchscreen everyone raves about, you’ll have to spring for the $35,445 Upgrade model.
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Electrification of a classic – Volkswagen eGolf
The Volkswagen eGolf remains the only electrified option in the VW line-up, at least for now. Rated to provide up to 201 km on a full charge and putting out 134 hp from its 100-kW electric motor, the eGolf is stickered at a starting price of $36,720.
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Swedish electrification – Volvo S90 T8
The S90 is Volvo’s plug-in hybrid large sedan, which puts out 400 combined hp and 472 lb-ft of torque and goes up to 34 km on exclusively electric power. Packaged with all-wheel drive as standard, it starts at $74,950.
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Plug-in mid-size SUV – Volvo XC60 T8
Another plug-in hybrid from Volvo, the XC60 is a mid-size SUV that can go 27 km on a charge while delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque from the T8 electrified powertrain. For this 2-row SUV, pricing starts at $72,200.
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A hot seller – Volvo XC90 T8
For a starting price of $74,950, buyers take home the XC90’s award-winning and modern styling, connectivity, and safety, along with the T8 combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. of torque that can provide an electric-only range of approximately 27 km.
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