EVS are a hot topic. When they hit the market, EVs felt futuristic, exciting, but intimidating for drivers who had only ever known gas‑powered cars. Fast‑forward to 2026, and the landscape has transformed. There are now hundreds of EV models available, offering convenience, luxury, lower maintenance, and more affordable options for everyday drivers.
To help uncover the truth of EVs, we sat down with Stephen Bieda, a leading voice in the EV space. With nearly 20 years of experience in the electric vehicle industry—and 15 years as an EV owner—Stephen has worked with major automakers, supported and deployed hundreds of charging programs, and serves as Board Director of the EV Society, where he focuses on public education and advocacy.
From cost and charging to maintenance and long‑term value, Stephen offers clarity on the questions many drivers still have about EVs.
Charging: Is it a concern for EV owners?
One of the main concerns of EVs is charging. The worry of not being able to complete your daily commute or errands on a single charge lingers, but Stephen confirms that charging options for EVs has expanded and has seen tremendous upgrades within recent years. Making them more reliable than ever:
“As far as convenience and health wise, it can’t be beat. Just plug in like you do your cell phone, it takes seconds and you can schedule charging strategically to protect your battery.”
“Modern EVs’ battery ranges between 400, 500, maybe even 600 kilometers—plenty of range for daily and weekly driving. You might only have to charge once or twice a week.”
Public Charging has increased across Canada, “I’ve drove my personal electric vehicle to Ottawa, Montreal, and I’d drive to Florida today if I had to. There’s really no limits.” says Stephen. With the expansion of public charging and the range EV batteries carry, it is easy to travel anywhere you need to go. The only real drawback is that to enjoy that level of convenience, you do need to have a charger installed at home, and that may not be feasible for everyone.
Public charging incentives such as the EV charger incentive program, encourages businesses to incorporate public charging, making adaption accessible. and making home charging more affordable for EV owners.
Incentives and Affordabilitiy of EVs
Programs and incentives can significantly reduce the shock of the initial purchase price, making the switch far less intimidating than it might first appear. This includes the creation of the Grizzl-E Club, which Stephen states changed the game:
"United Chargers developed the Grizzl-E Club, and it sort of transformed the industry. Now, if you drive electric in Canada, you can access clean fuel regulation-backed charging credit programs. The Grizzl-E Club offers free charging hardware for your home — made possible through the clean fuel regulation and carbon credits. They earn credits by providing the free chargers, which takes the financial stress off the EV owner."
Further incentives such as the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program help EV owners with their upfront costs and make electric vehicle ownership attainable, and encourages EV adoption in Canada.
"The important thing to understand is that you shouldn't just look at the sticker price. You need to bundle the full picture— your monthly payment to the dealership or finance company, plus your fuel or energy costs, and your maintenance costs. That's what actually matters. When you look at it that way, the numbers often tell a very different story."
One of the most luxurious benefits of owning an EV is the ease of maintenance, or lack of thereof. Instead of frequent shop visits for oil changes and engine repairs, EV drivers enjoy far fewer routine service needs. By eliminating many of the typical maintenance costs, electric vehicles become significantly more affordable to own over time.
"Most people estimate maintenance costs are about a third with an electric vehicle versus a gas car. Of course, you need to rotate your tires and install windshield wipers, but very basic maintenence at most." said Stephen. "It's a considerable amount of savings on the maintenance side and the convenience of not having to go to the dealership is a huge benefit of being an EV owner"
If you're tired of oil changes, worrying about your spark plugs or dread what will need to be replaced in your annual tune up, an EV could be the right pick for you!
Battery and Longevity
Canadian winters can be tough on any car battery, and when you think about a vehicle that relies entirely on one, it’s easy to assume it will lose power quickly. Fortunately, that’s not something EV drivers need to be overly worried about when driving their electric vehicle in colder months.
“Batteries are a lot like people—they perform best around room temperature, about 20°C. In extreme cold, electric vehicles can lose 10–40% of their range, much like gas vehicles also become less efficient in winter. The difference is that modern EVs can integrate navigation and charging infrastructure, automatically calculating charging stops and reducing range anxiety.”
In addition to the concern of the cold effecting batteries, there is a wide perception that EV batteries don't last. Batteries in EVs actually outlast the life of a gas motor typically.
"The latest data shows that modern electric vehicle batteries are lasting one to two million kilometres—far longer than most people expected and, in many cases, longer than the life of the vehicle itself. "
Although battery life can't be promised, experts are showcasing more and more data that dictates the longevity of an EV battery. If you are still feeling uneasy, there's generally at lowest an 8-year warranty on your battery with the purchase of EVs in Canada.
The Bottom Line
To wrap up the interview, I asked Stephen what one piece of advice he'd share with anyone who is on the fence about purchasing an EV. His advice was simple:
“Go test one out. Everyone needs to drive one. You need to experience the acceleration, the quiet, the convenience. It’s hard to appreciate it unless you experience it behind the wheel."
From advanced driving features to low-maintenance ownership and everyday convenience, EVs offer a driving experience that feels both modern and effortless. Stephen hopes this reassures and encourages anyone on the fence to consider making the switch: “You can’t compete with the elegance of being able to charge at home and the savings that come with it.”
Fun Fact: The #1 rated EV is the Tesla Cybertruck, despite having controversial public opinions it’s an amazing vehicle with the most updated features and performance out of EVs.
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