Die ohnehin schon gute Rechnung für den Kauf eines Elektrofahrzeugs hat sich dramatisch verbessert

The math for a used EV for commuting has been great for a while now. [It turns out the batteries are lasting longer than anyone expected](https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/12/existing-ev-batteries-may-last-up-to-40-longer-than-expected), making these vehicles viable in the used market. I’ve got an older Ioniq that I picked up used for a cool 20k, and I have zero regrets; best car I’ve ever owned.

We’re watching the price at the pump climb upwards and it’s having no impact on the cost of commuting. But consider that prior to this conflict in the middle east we were spending _maybe_ three or four dollars on electricity a month to keep our main commuter vehicle on the road. And that electricity is offset by our solar array, so it’s even cheaper then that.

>In addition to strict emission standards and letting in a growing share of affordable Chinese models, we should open our market to more European EV models, an idea multiple carmakers and dealers are interested in.

Please do. I want a PHEV minivan, to replace my decades old MPV; its use would be mainly for hauling kids on road trips of medium and long duration. When not hauling kids it would be used for short distances to haul _stuff_. There aren’t many options in this regard, and I _do not want_ a SUV.

Minivans are a much more efficient use of space, and more pleasant to drive, than those over-inflated pillows on wheels.

>Likewise, Canada should explore incentives for those companies that will also build EVs here — as BYD is reported to be actively considering — such as increasing their allowable quota or otherwise offering preferential market access, thus building industrial competitiveness while improving affordability for Canadian drivers.

I mean, sure, but I don’t think the lobbyists working for Stellantis are going to sit on their hands. They’re probably working over time to fight any and all efforts to bring manufacturing of BYD et al onto our soil.

[Ford was recently asking other Provinces to abandon their EV mandates in order to support the Ontarian automobile manufacturing sector](https://www.timescolonist.com/the-mix/ontario-asks-bc-quebec-to-drop-electric-vehicle-targets-12022390), so I suspect that the lobbyists are earning their wage.