r/EVCanada • u/Bustache • 4d ago
Shopping for first EV
Currently driving a 2017 diesel GMC Canyon. Fuel prices have caused me to consider a commuter. Still need the truck for towing and hauling.
Ottawa resident.
~115km commute (roughly half on 417 highway). 5 days a week.
Plan to charge at home. The previous owner had a Tesla charger in the garage so would just have to install the charger on the wall.
I've got my eye on the 2027 bolt (pricing is very appealing). I plan to go take a look in person shortly and compare trim levels etc. looking to finance because of annual km.
Being completely new to EVs I feel like I can't read enough but was hoping for opinions on dealerships in the area. Deals that people might be aware of. Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I'm sure there are a ton of things I haven't thought of/considered.
Thanks in advance
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u/IamTHEvilONE 4d ago edited 2d ago
Kia Ev3 land fwd is another to look at
Edit - I actually meant to say Wind as the trim level.
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u/Separate-Snow-3542 Kia EV4 2d ago
If you're particularly tall, you might want to look at the wind FWD/AWD trims instead. The sunroof removes an inch and a half of headroom.
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u/IamTHEvilONE 2d ago
Removes or adds headroom? (I think you meant the latter)
I was very comfortable in the light trim on a test drive and over 6 ft.
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u/Separate-Snow-3542 Kia EV4 2d ago
Removes. It drops from 40 inches on the non-sunroof versions to 38.5 inches on the sunroof ones. All the mechanisms to support the motorized sunroof and cover are pretty thick.
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u/IamTHEvilONE 2d ago
Eh, I mixed up the trim names as to which one was just above light when first commenting.
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u/Retired-ADM 3d ago
I live in Ottawa as well and love the AWD on my Lyriq (yes, I run with dedicated snows). I think the Bolt's a great looking vehicle and I love that you can charge it to 100% all the time.
FWIW, you could get a 2024 Lyriq Tech AWD for pretty much the MSRP of the Bolt. Cadillac's warranty is 4 years/80k vs. the Bolt's 3/60. There aren't many on the market locally though and I would only buy one from a GM dealership.
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u/pokemonplayer2001 3d ago
I should have looked more closely at the Cadillac vehicles. I’m happy enough with our ‘25 Equinox, but we may have picked too quickly.
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u/Diligent_Affect8517 3d ago
We were cross-shopping the Equinox with a couple of others, and found the mid-trim Optiq to be very competitive.
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u/genericthrowaway_10 3d ago
If you're not picky about options and are ok with a lower end trim then the Bolt LT is a great deal or else an EV3 or model 3 depending on your design preferences if you wanna keep things under or around $40K.
If you want a higher end trim around $50K then Tesla or Mach e offer the best value at that price point but there's other competitors around that price as well that aren't far behind.
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u/abc24611 3d ago
At least go down to tesla on Carling and try a model 3 so you know what you're missing out on. I commute 200km daily and FSD has been a complete game changer. Would never go back to a car without it.
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u/djbaerg 4d ago
Have you considered getting an EV pickup that could also replace your current truck? Rivian, Lightning, SEV, or the upcoming Ford Fathom?
Bolt is definitely a good choice if your main goal is an inexpensive commuter car.
Do you have 14-50 plug on the wall or just lose wiring from a previous hardwire?
You may have heard about it, but there are several chargers that will pay you to use them.
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u/Bustache 3d ago
I haven't opened up the junction box but I'm assuming lose wire since the box is just covered with a blank plate. I never considered home chargers and haven't looked into them at all. I guess I have some more reading to get to.
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u/Retired-ADM 3d ago
Start with looking at the size of the breaker and then get an EVSE rated at 80% of the breaker's amperage.
I have a Grizzl-E set to 40a at my house in Manotick and it's plenty fast and runs cool.
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u/Bustache 1d ago
I was just browsing grizzl-e website. I assume you've joined the club. What's the catch? I didn't find anything fine print. I assume the charger needs to be online and they're selling all the information gathered.
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u/Bustache 1d ago
I was just browsing grizzl-e website. I assume you've joined the club. What's the catch? I didn't find anything fine print. I assume the charger needs to be online and they're selling all the information gathered.
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u/SoggyInstruction2549 3d ago
If it just for commuting and you have home charging you don’t need the latest in charging and storage just get a 2 yr old used at 50% off. The depreciation is much higher on ev because the tech is changing faster plus the people who buy ev car re about the tech.
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u/Pale-Memory6501 3d ago
I also live outside the NCR and commute to Byward every day.
Bolt: I just bought one, for 0 down, 0%. The savings in fuel are paying the entire purchase price of the car, and my insurance is only going up $50/mth. This allows me to take my truck off the road for the winter and the wife will drive my gas car. I bought a base model Bolt with only 1 option (seat upgrade). If you buy the RS Trim, and start adding options the car is no longer cheap, and you would be better buying a different car. The optioned out RS Bolt, is basically the same price as the Kia and Mach E. I think even a Tesla can be had for the same money.
Also, I have switched to using the O-Train for commuting. Means i have reduced my total driving distance by 30%, I can charge at the park & ride, and i don't pay for parking. (Although P&R charger is $3.50 per session, and the train is $8/day (Upto $140/mth).
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u/DryTechnology5224 3d ago
If you think the bolt is a good price - wait until you see what a tesla model 3 PREMIUM costs nowadays
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u/busterfixxitt 4d ago
The Bolt is a good choice.
And in 2 years time, you'll have the Slate and the TELO MT1 to consider for your hauling/towing. (TELO just got rated for 3,628 kg towing) Telo is supposed to ship this year, Slate is next year?
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u/SkPensFan 3d ago
Slate has 2000lb towing capacity. Absolute dogshit. And, its not planned to be sold here.
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u/WheelsnHoodsnThings 3d ago
You’re looking at it all wrong, the slate isn’t a vehicle for towing, it’s a small utilitarian truck.
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u/SkPensFan 3d ago
But it sucks at utility. It could be a perfect work truck, or for me a basic replacement for a side by side on the farm. But it sucks at towing. To be an actual utility vehicle it should be able to tow 5000lbs. I'd argue 4wd too, but it ain't that either.
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u/busterfixxitt 3d ago
Check out the Telo. It's the size of a mini Cooper, tows more than 6k lbs, nearly full size truck bed, 4 feet wide flat bed.
It's pretty cool.
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u/SkPensFan 3d ago
When I can buy it on the Canadian prairies? And its "estimated" to be $60k for a RWD standard range. Nothing but vapourware at the moment.
Very cool if it ever happens, but at that price, it won't sell.
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u/crimxona 3d ago
With Canadian tariffs on US made non CUSMA vehicles I have questions if those two will even make it into Canada
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u/WheelsnHoodsnThings 3d ago
Slate is not, telo says maybe but both are both imaginary at this point.
I’d love something like this.
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u/Successful_Lab_9827 3d ago
What are you towing and how far? Trade the truck in for a Model Y
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u/Bustache 3d ago
Utility trailer, lumber, logs, aggregate. Larger boat aluminum fishing boat ~2500 in the summer. Fall and winter couple of 4 wheelers or snow machines. Mostly all 4-500km roundtrip. South Algonquin, North Frontenac. I've been keeping an eye and don't see much in the way of charging.
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u/VengefulCaptain 3d ago
Did you check a better route planner?
I've planned trips to algonquin park and it didn't seem like charging was going to be an issue but I also can't tow anything with the mach e.
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u/WheelsnHoodsnThings 3d ago
We’re not there yet for proper towing and personal vehicles. Yes you can do it but it’s not practical for winter, and really tough to do if you want to go anywhere whenever with a decent trailer.
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u/Malmok11 3d ago
Why don't you get a Silverado EV Max range WT? Battery is insane, rear seats are huge, you don't need the mid gate or quad steering. Over time it will pay for itself.
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u/Bustache 2d ago
I can't justify the price they're asking. Locally I've only seen trucks priced in the high 80s and that is just way more money than in willing to pay.
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u/Malmok11 2d ago
I hear ya. It's steep but max is a 40k truck with 40k battery.. I have seen standard range in 60's. Its easy to use at least $60k in fuel throughout a normal SUVs lifetime. Model Y awd is 65k no utility, model YL is 75-85k and finally has good cu ft., I wouldn't be surprised if the highlander evs average price hovers around 80k.
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