The electric vehicle: an efficient way of reducing your carbon footprint

In Quebec, 95% of all electricity used comes from renewable sources. But 55% of the greenhouse gases produced by a suburban family come from their transportation habits.

There are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives available on the market but it’s important to do some research because different products come with different characteristics. For instance, using an EV becomes eco-friendly only after two to three years of use. That’s because even though it isn’t powered by fossil fuels, there are environmental costs associated with manufacturing the vehicle, especially in terms of the battery. That’s why owners should keep their EVs for at least several years if they want to get the environmental benefits.

In terms of CO2, a gas-powered vehicle emits 50,330 kg of CO2 over 150,000 km whereas an electric vehicle only emits 18,050 kg for the same distance. Still not convinced? Read on.

The carbon footprint of an electric vehicle

One commonly held belief is that an EV would be as harmful to the environment as a gas-powered vehicle. Is there any truth to this? For residents of Quebec who keep their vehicle for more than three years the answer is no. Despite the environmental costs of producing the vehicle, its battery, and associated mineral extraction, an EV’s carbon footprint is smaller than a gas-powered one over the long run. Here’s why.

An electric vehicle emits a lot less CO2

An EV emits 51% less CO2 than a gas-powered vehicle. For instance, someone who has a charging station at home and uses their EV for their commute can cut their emissions by more than 50%.

The electric vehicle produces fewer greenhouse gases

Over a distance of 150,000 km, an EV emits 65% fewer greenhouse gases than a gas-powered vehicle. According to Catherine Morency, professor at Polytechnique Montréal and head of the Mobility Chair, while an EV is still responsible for some emissions, it remains a good option for someone who cannot go without a vehicle.

Purchasing a charging station

EV owners can purchase a charging station and have it installed at home. Take advantage of high-quality products along with expert advice and turnkey solutions. This type of service also comes with a solid warranty so you can switch to an EV with total peace of mind.

Drive more, pay less

To make sure you get the most out of your electric vehicle, plan on purchasing a charging station and have it installed at home. That way you’ll be able to plug in your vehicle when you get home after work and not worry about having a full charge the next morning or finding public charging stations. A residential charging station will save you a lot of headaches and unpleasant surprises – such as running out of power unexpectedly.

Moreover, charging your EV at home does not have a significant impact on your electricity bill. A full charge takes about 12 to 16 hours and costs about $1 (this can vary depending on the model of your vehicle and charging station). That means if you drive about 20,000 km per year, the cost of charging your vehicle will come out to only $300!

Compare this to the cost of using a gas-powered vehicle for the same mileage. Here are a few examples with the cost of fuel set at $1.20/L.

The table shows that a Hyundai Elantra consumes about 6.8L/100km which means $1,632 per year in fuel. With bigger vehicles such as a Hyundai Tucson AWD which consumes 10.1L/100km, the average cost in fuel will be about $2,424 per year. With an EV you could save hundreds, even thousands of dollars ever year.

Choosing the right charging station

Owning an EV means having to consider charging stations. To choose the right charging station for your home, find the one that best meets your needs. Level 1 charging stations are portable and can be used pretty much anywhere. Level 2 charging stations provide a full charge in less time – 1.8 hours for 100 km versus 10.5 hours for a level 1.

HydroSolution offers several models, but two high-quality charging stations made in Quebec have stood out in the past few years. The FLO Home G5 comes with the following:

• Guarantee on parts and labour
• CSA certification and UL security standards
• Certified 100% aluminum NEMA 4X enclosure
• High-quality commercial cable measuring 7.63 cm (25 ft) that can withstand temperatures of -40 °C à 50 °C
• Integrated security features

The FLO Home X5 comes with the same features as the G5, in addition to:

• Energy management settings
• Automatic software updates
• Remote configuration via the online portal or the mobile app
• Power sharing technology included: add a second charging station on the same breaker
• Real-time support and monitoring

Our experts are always available to help you assess your needs. Contact us to find out more.

Level 2 charging station: more power, same electricity consumption

The advantage of choosing a level 2 charging station is that it is six times quicker than a level 1 and uses about the same amount of electricity. When charging for 100 km, both types of charging stations will consume about 20kWh.

In brief

Type of vehicle	Electric	Gas-powered
Emissions (over 150,000 km)	18,050 kg of CO2	50,330 kg of CO2
Annual cost	$300 in electricity	Between $1,080 and $2,424 in gas (depends on the vehicle’s average fuel consumption and the price of gas).

 

Charging station model	Level 1	Level 2
Time to charge for 100 km	10.5 hours for 20 kWh	1.8 hours for 20 kWh
Cost	Free	Between $995 and $1,295
Installation	Does not require installation	Between $664 and $704 for an electrician
Location	Portable, can be kept in the vehicle	Installed at home in an outdoor parking lot or in the garage