Questions answered simply

It’s commonly thought that electric vehicles can’t travel very far, but that misconception is disappearing with the latest generation of EVs traveling in excess of 400, 500, and even 600 km on a single charge. While many of these vehicles have been prohibitively expensive for most consumers, affordable EVs with about a 400 km range are now rapidly becoming available and attainable.

In practice, the adage that “your mileage may vary” holds true. As with gas vehicles, EV range is influenced by a variety of factors, including driving conditions, weather, load, tires, and aerodynamics.

Charging times depend on a number of factors,* including the type of charging station you use and the size of battery you have:

• A 120V regular outlet can be used with the included home charger, but a full charge of a 400 km EV would take over two days. If the car is sitting for a long period of time anyway (e.g., at your cottage), this can be useful to extend your charging capabilities into more remote regions.
• A 240V residential charger installed at home (or work) will charge a 400 km EV in about 8-10 hours, enough for you to start (or end) every day with a full “tank.”
• A 400V+ DC fast charger can add around 9-10 km of range for every minute of charging, with sessions typically lasting about 30 minutes.

Many believe that quoted charging times are always the case, every time you plug in. In reality, partial charges are the norm. Full charges are rare and ultimately, charging takes as little or as long as you need to get the energy to where you need to go next.

_{*Estimated charging times are provided as a reference only. Actual charging times will vary based on battery state of charge, driving behaviour, battery condition, current, resistance, ambient temperature, available voltage, and charging frequency.}

Like a gas vehicle, your electric vehicle will warn you when it’s running low on power and will automatically switch to energy-saving mode. The integrated Car-Net navigation system in an ID. vehicle will guide you to the nearest convenient charging station. Or alternatively, there are a host of great charging apps available to help you find a station when you need to recharge.

A reserve buffer of inaccessible energy exists to protect the battery by minimizing any damage from running out of accessible energy.

If something goes wrong, as a driver of an EV, you can use our Volkswagen Roadside Assistance* by calling 1-800-411-6688. A flexible policy will take you to your home, your destination, or the nearest fast-charging station, depending on your needs, with your safety being of top priority.

_{*Coverage is included during the term of limited new-vehicle warranty (4 years or 80,000 km, whichever occurs first). Volkswagen Roadside Assistance services are provided by Club Auto.} 

The network of charging stations in Canada is growing extremely rapidly right now. Volkswagen has partnered with Electrify Canada to install them across the country. As of August 2020, there are over 11,000 charging outlets at over 5,000 locations across Canada, according to Natural Resources Canada.

A number of fast charging networks are available to enable long-distance, same-day driving, including Electrify Canada.  For more information, please see www.electrify-canada.ca.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how long the battery lasts, and performance is improving all the time. The key factor is how often the battery is charged and discharged.

At Volkswagen, we guarantee that your battery will not drop below a minimum of 70% of the useable capacity value after eight years or 160,000 km – whichever comes first.

The cost of ownership for an electric vehicle is typically lower than for a gas vehicle. Home charging costs significantly less than an equivalent gas fill, and charging is free at some public stations. Assuming an average of $0.13/kWh, a 400 km EV could charge from Empty to Full with only about $10 worth of electricity.

Electric technology is also less maintenance-intensive, which can mean lower servicing costs.

The purchase price for an electric vehicle is currently somewhat higher than a comparable gas vehicle due to manufacturing costs associated with the battery. However, there are significant purchase incentives available in Canada to help bridge the difference.

• iZEV program (for all Canadians)
• Roulez vert program (QC residents only)

Charging your electric vehicle is very safe, even in damp and rainy conditions. As long as your EV and charging station meet the strict legal standards, no electricity will flow until a secure and fully safe contact is established.

You can also safely take your vehicle through a car wash or open the hood in the rain, and your EV is as safe as any other when there's lightning.

We’re pretty sure you’ll find the experience anything but boring, but the best way to answer this question is to drive one. Unlike gas vehicles, electric vehicles have nearly instant torque, which means there's no lag between pressing the accelerator and the power delivery. This lends itself to a dynamic driving experience.

The batteries in the latest generation of EVs are integrated into the vehicle’s floor, giving them a phenomenally low centre of gravity and optimal weight distribution. As a result, the dynamics of EVs are breathtaking.

You’ll never want to go back.

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