'Quite frustrating': B.C. man still waiting for EV ordered in 2020

A B.C. man who put a deposit down on an electric vehicle in 2020 is still waiting to learn when it will arrive.

Tom Hurtig and his wife Debbie have gotten used to practicing patience. In August 2020, he placed a deposit and put his name down for a Toyota RAV4 Prime Hybrid. As of today, there's no estimated time for its arrival.

“It’s been quite frustrating with Toyota to get an answer," Hurtig told CTV News.

The dealership, Open Road Toyota Richmond says the delay is due to extraordinarily high demand and low supply.

"We understand the wait can be frustrating to customers," said general manager Ryan Snel.

"There are currently more than 40 people ahead of Tom and Debbie who are also still waiting for this same car.”

CTV News reviewed text messages between Tom and a salesperson dating back to June 2021 that say otherwise.

"Hi Tom, just checked. Not so good news. Toyota Canada has cut allocation. Six people still ahead of you. Chances of getting one this year are slim," read the message.