Savings from electric vehicles are at an all-time-high: BC Hydro

Switching to an electric car to a gas-powered car saves more money than ever, according to BC Hydro.

The company says that making the switch can save thousands of dollars per year, just on the average commute.

BC Hydro had a recent survey commissioned which found that the average British Columbian travels 20 km every day in their car.

Making the trip in a Honda Civic, which is said to be the top-selling sedan, would cost six times the amount it would cost in a Nissan Leaf — the top-selling electric car.

BC Hydro says that this is the highest gap to date in the province.

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“At the equivalent of $0.25 per litre in gas, fueling an electric vehicle costs 80% less than fueling a gas-powered vehicle,” reads the report. “Commuting 20 km a day in a Nisson leaf costs about $2 a week.”

BC Hydro also compared the cost of an 80 km commute from Surrey to downtown Vancouver, to show how much drivers would pay annually in three popular gas-powered vehicles:

• A Honda Civic costs approximately $1,800 more per year.
• A Toyota Rav4 costs approximately $2,100 more per year.
• A Ford F150 costs approximately $3,380 more per year.

According to the company trips using a Nissan Leaf comes to an annual total of $409 for an 80 km commute and $726 for a 142 km one.

Average fuel costs from Richmond to Vancouver

Average fuel costs from Coquitlam to Vancouver

Average fuel costs from Surrey to Vancouver

Average fuel costs from Abbotsford to Vancouver

BC Hydro explains that the calculations are based on the average price of gas in each area on May 15, 2019, as shown on the GasBuddy website.

Fuel economy numbers for are from the NRCAN’s 2018 Fuel Consumption Guide.

Average fuel costs from Chilliwack to Vancouver

Average fuel costs from Squamish to Vancouver

Currently, there are more than 18,000 electric cars on the road in BC. The company expects that number to climb to 350,000 by 2030.