Not ready to buy an electric vehicle? There are now options to rent or share them
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If you've ever wanted to give an electric car a try, but aren't ready to buy one, here's some good news: there are more and more options across Canada to rent one for a few hours to a few weeks, at prices that aren't that different from the cost of renting or sharing a comparable gas-powered vehicle.
Maybe you need a rental while visiting or travelling, and want a greener one, or just want to try something new. For daily or weekly rentals, there are a few options:
For drivers who need a car for shopping or day trips, there are options in some cities for hourly rentals or car sharing.
Rentals may also be a good option for people who want to try an EV before they buy.
A recent study conducted by Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors for Transport Canada found that a majority of dealerships across the country have no zero-emissions vehicles in stock, especially outside Quebec, B.C. and Ontario.
Cedric Mathieu, vice-president in charge of Canada at Turo, said that means official test drives are "very, very hard to come by."
Darryl Croft, president of the Toronto-based Electric Vehicle Network, which helps car owners transition from gas to EVs, said given the differences between the two types of vehicles, prospective owners may want more than a half-hour test drive.
"People may want to bring the vehicle home for their significant other or give it a bit of a longer test to make sure it meets their lifestyle needs," he said, adding they might also want to get a bit more comfortable with the logistics of charging.
At the moment, the Electric Vehicle Network offers fewer than a dozen EV and plug-in hybrid models to rent in Ontario. It's planning to expand the program to Nova Scotia and Alberta later this year, in partnership with multi-residential buildings and factories that want to make the service available to residents and employees, said Croft.
Mathieu sees Turo as a way to help people get more comfortable with EVs. Renters can get tips from owners as well as firsthand experience. Meanwhile, owners can offset the higher cost of EVs.
He added, "It's also a great way to share your enthusiasm and your knowledge about electric cars."
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