Most respondents to a KPMG poll believe that going electric will save them money as prices at the pumps soar
Canadians are feeling the squeeze of inflation across their household budgets, but among the toughest to bear is at the gas pumps.
With the CAA reporting a national average last week of $1.78 per litre – and some cities with prices above $2 - electric vehicles (EVs) are showing a surge in interest according to a new report.
KPMG in Canada found that 61% of respondents to its survey said that it’s time to buy an EV and almost one third regret not having done so already.
With delivery times for vehicles impacted by supply chain issues, EV converts may have a long wait – perhaps a year – but 47% said they will buy one “right away” even if they have to be patient.
One in five of those planning to buy an EV have been convinced by high gas prices and 51% said they will never buy a gas-powered car again. This share jumps to 63% in BC which has seen some of the highest gas prices in this recent surge.
Easing off the gas
Nearly half of the 1,005 Canadians polled said they will definitely go electric because they "don't think gas prices will ever normalize again, especially as economies transition off oil and gas.”
While it may take some time for Canadians to get behind the wheel of an EV, cutting costs is an immediate challenge.
For that reason, 66% of respondents are looking at their own driving habits to save gas, such as driving at 90kmh.
