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Number of electric vehicles in Quebec City up 60%

Press release
Published on March 3, 2020

This text has been updated on April 2nd to rectify some numbers.

The number of EVs (electric vehicles) on Quebec roads has shot up 60% in one year,1 driven by rebates and the improved range of many popular models that now compares to that of gas-powered vehicles.

Many of the recently launched EV models aimed at general consumers can now travel around 400 km on a single charge. Visitors to the Quebec City International Auto Show (SIAQ) will have the opportunity to try out four of these models free of charge thanks to the joint initiative between SIAQ and CAA-Quebec launched eight years ago to offer EV test drives. The featured models include last year’s headliner—the Hyundai Kona EV (415 km range)—the timeless Chevrolet Bolt EV (417 km range), the new Kia Niro EV (383 km range), and the Nissan LEAF EV (243 to 363 km range, depending on the model).

Six other popular EVs will also be available for test drives: the Hyundai IONIQ Electric, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the Toyota Mirai (hydrogen) and Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid), the Volkswagen e-Golf, and last but not least, the Audi e-tron. It’s not every day you get to try a $100,000 SUV that combines luxury, safety, performance, and a range of over 300 km! In all, no fewer than 10 electrified vehicle models will be available for test drives, which are made possible thanks to the participation of Transition énergétique Québec in collaboration with SIAQ, FLO (Quebec’s EV charging service provider), and Running Electric.

“Electric vehicles are part of the solution to rising GHG emissions, and we should continue to promote them. As technology advances and costs decline, more and more people will see the writing on the wall.”

– Pierre-Serge Labbé, VP, Automotive Services, CAA-Quebec  

EV models for every lifestyle

Crossovers, SUVs, compacts, sedans, luxury cars—there are now EVs for every lifestyle, as well as plug-in hybrids for the best of both worlds. EVs are still more expensive to buy than their gasoline-powered equivalents, but the difference has been shrinking since the introduction of the federal incentive which, combined with the Quebec rebate, can reduce the purchase cost by up to $13,000 (taxes included).

Compare with the CAA Driving Costs Calculator! In many cases, an EV costs the same as a combustion vehicle, taking into account the cost of electricity and gasoline.

See you at the Quebec City Auto Show!

SIAQ runs from March 3 to 8, 2020, at ExpoCité’s Centre de foires. You can pre-register for test drives online or on site near the ticket office. Test drives will take place on a road circuit around Centre de foires with an accompanying resource person who will be able to answer questions about each vehicle. You can also come and meet CAA-Quebec’s experts at their booth.

Electric vehicles are catching on everywhere!

  • Quebec (Province): +70% 2
  • Capitale-Nationale: +64%
  • Chaudière-Appalaches: +75%
  • Saguenay‒Lac-Saint-Jean: +70%
  • Bas-Saint-Laurent: +75%
  • Côte-Nord: +40%
  • Gaspésie: +68%

About CAA-Quebec

CAA-Quebec is a not-for-profit organization that assists each of its members by providing mobility, travel, insurance, and residential benefits, products, and services.

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1 Number of vehicles registered in Quebec City as of December 31, 2019: 4,599 compared to 2,869 on the same date in 2018. Source: SAAQ

2 Change in the number of EVs registered between December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2019. Source: SAAQ