The surge in gas prices is driving more Quebecers to consider electric vehicles, industry experts say.
Since early March, the price of regular gasoline in the province has jumped more than 30 per cent, while diesel has risen over 40 per cent, largely due to ongoing instability in the Middle East. On the island of Montreal, gas prices are now hovering around two dollars per litre, with diesel seeing a similar spike.
Benjamin Wenger, co-founder of AutosConsultants.com, said the combination of high fuel costs and federal incentives is already changing consumer habits.
“You factor those two things in, a high price of fuel, EV rebates, we are seeing an increase in demand for electric vehicles in the market,” Wenger said.
Across Quebec, electric vehicle (EV) sales have surged in recent weeks, with some reports showing a nearly 20 per cent increase in just one month, and year-over-year sales jumping as much as 600 per cent. Test drives of EVs have also climbed more than 50 per cent over the past year.
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Daniel Breton, president and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada, noted that EV adoption tends to be permanent.
“Once you go to an electric vehicle, you don’t go back. More than 95 per cent of EV owners say they will stick with either electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles,” he said.
Breton also highlighted the broader economic benefits of switching to electric.
“On top of that, on top of the fact that electricity is a lot more predictable, there’s also the factor that the majority of oil sands production in Canada is foreign-owned. The vast majority of electricity production in Canada is not only Canadian-owned, but it’s publicly owned,” he said.
For those who continue to drive gas-powered vehicles, there are still ways to reduce fuel consumption. Wenger recommends using eco mode in vehicles, checking tire pressure, removing roof racks when not in use, switching to summer tires, respecting speed limits, and leaving earlier to avoid sudden acceleration.
Drivers can also use apps like GasBuddy or a new interactive map from the Régie de l’énergie, which tracks real-time gas prices at more than 2,500 stations across Quebec. Stations are required to update prices within five minutes of any change.
“To decrease our reliance on foreign suppliers for our source of fuel would be excellent for the province,” Wenger said.
