In 2025 Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a distant vision of the future—they are here. Today our FVCA members share their EV experience. We think you’ll agree that their experiences highlight just how feasible it is. we hope individuals in our community consider making their next vehicle an electric one. Through their stories, we hope to encourage more people to explore EVs, overcome common misconceptions, and take personal steps toward cleaner transportation.
The Fraser Valley Members share their EV Experience
Robin shares:
I have a 2024 Volvo XC40 that I LOVE.
What you love most about your EV (or riding in one): Acceleration, smooth and quiet ride, automated scheduled charging (we charge overnight when our hydro rate is reduced), never having to fill up for gas, so pretty. 🥰 We live on a mountain and the acceleration uphill is unbelievable – way better than a gas car or our previous PHEV. Full electric is definitely advantageous if you regularly drive up hills. It has handled great in the winter, too. Using one-pedal driving enables it to charge when stopping without wearing out the brakes.
It’s also so nice being able to see your charge on arrival when you enter your destination in maps. I’ve found this to be pretty accurate – but it may only be Tesla and Volvo that offer this, from what I’ve heard. I could go on, Some of what I love comes from it being a Volvo, but a lot comes from it being an EV, too.
Any surprises — good or bad — you’ve discovered: I didn’t know that the battery gets used up faster in cold weather, but this hasn’t been a problem for me. I also learned that EV’s don’t have AM radio! But I’ve still been able to access everything I want via apps.
Advice you’d give to someone considering an EV: Stop dreaming and just go for it. The infrastructure is in place now where you really can live totally comfortably with EV driving, it’s not a nuisance or inconvenience at all. In fact, it’s way better. There’s no going back!
Aird shares:
We purchased our first Toyota Prius Hybrid (the smaller, model “C”) in 2012, and then another in 2016 and another in 2017. More recently, after one and half years of trying to acquire a Toyota Prius Prime (plug-in) Hybrid, in January we got a 2024 Toyota Prius Prime (Plug-In). I know full well that we paid “top dollar”, but OMG we are happy with it!!!!
Toyota advertises 70 km per battery charge (9 hours on a 120V plug) but we are getting better than 100 km per charge in this summer’s heat!!
We live in Abbotsford, and our daily business rarely takes us out of Abbotsford…… so we rarely purchase gasoline. Indeed, we significantly worry about the gasoline in our tank going “stale”!!!
The electronics in the car tell us that we will get 855 km on a tank of gasoline, which is in addition to our 100 km (ish) on a single battery charge! Indeed, last month we drove Abbotsford to Calgary and with charging, came within a very few kilometers of Calgary before we chickened-out, and stopped for gasoline, on the EAST side of the Rockies!!
I am still trying to sort out exact what it costs us to charge the battery here in B.C., but whatever, it seems to be just a small fraction of filling a car with gasolene!
Oh, and the “guilt -relief” I get when I hit the Prius’s ignition button and all I hear is an electric “hummmmm”!
We aren’t highly experienced yet, but the cost of maintenance servicing seems to be a small fraction of a “petrol” vehicle?
Greg shares:
We’re never going back. We have made the shift to cleaner transportation with EVs and now we can drive guilt free using BC’s abundant renewable electricity. When we drive, we don’t pollute. Plus our vehicles have driven far enough to pay the “carbon debt” of their batteries. Every kilometer we drive in an EV displaces pollution that would otherwise be leaked into our community. Cleaner air, cleaner ground water, lower costs, less maintenance. Its really compelling once people sit down with a calculator and see the advantages.
We started with a bumper sticker saying “our next car will be electric”. We saved our pennies and were determined to make our car last and avoid having to buy another polluting car.
Then in 2019 we bought a used 2017 Nissan LEAF that was a lease return at a dealership (Westwood Honda) that imported auctioned cars from the U.S. THAT was how we could afford to get into the market. With a $200 charger from Amazon and one visit from an electrician, we could charge at home. After that we stopped paying for gas and oil changes and the savings accumulated in our bank account. We knew it was a shorter range car and would require flexibility from us.
In 2024 we were able to buy a Tesla Model Y and it is simply the best car we’ve ever owned. (We bought the car before Elon became political). We’ve travelled to Los Angeles and Edmonton and Vancouver Island in it. When travelling the car navigates you to the chargers, prepares the battery and the typical stops are about 10 mins every 2 hours. (about exactly what we would want to do for bathrooms and snacks.)
We can sleep in the back, it keeps itself cool for the dog in the summer time and can heat itself up before we get in it to drive in the winter so it is always cozy. The buying experience was simple, mostly online. We saved $2,000 by purchasing an in stock car. The Tesla experience for charging is the best. Park, plug in, walk away. No “app” no “credit balance” no “select your location”… 😊
Go EV. Do it as soon as you can. Get informed and do it. You’ll feel better and save money in the long run.
We hope you enjoyed hearing our FVCA members share their EV experience.
The Broader Impact
Adopting EVs isn’t just a personal choice, it contributes to cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Its a more sustainable Fraser Valley. Transportation accounts for 38-40% of carbon emissions in our province. By switching to EVs, individuals can reduce their own environmental impact and help all of us meet BC’s climate goals.
Moreover, EV adoption can influence the broader market. By purchasing an EV, you show car companies they can make money selling EVs. You take your money “off the table” for the manufacture of polluting cars. That helps improve EV availability and choice for others. Also you vote with your wallet when it comes to recharging vs re-fueling. We only visit gas stations when we (are forced to) rent gas cars on vacation. The rest of the time, oil and gas companies aren’t taxing us to move around. Increased demand encourages more investment in charging infrastructure, better battery technology, and wider availability of vehicle models. This creates a positive feedback loop. The more residents switch to EVs, the easier it becomes for others to do the same.
How to Take the First Step
For those ready to explore EVs, Fraser Valley Climate Action offers some resources and guidance. We invite you to pledge to make (your) next vehicle an EV. This is a concrete step toward cleaner, sustainable transportation. Also check out Emotive BC https://www.emotivebc.ca/
The transition to electric vehicles is more than a technology shift. It is a cultural and environmental opportunity. Some would argue it is a moral imperative. Fraser Valley residents are discovering that EVs are practical, enjoyable, and increasingly affordable. By learning from our members’ experiences and embracing available resources, anyone can take part in this movement toward cleaner transportation.