Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular in Canada, according to a new report, which also shows a large number of Canadians believe cold temperatures are a reason not to consider one.
But how much does the cold really affect performance and reliability in an EV, and is it a reason not to consider buying one?
“But for some, they have to wait for better batteries, longer range, better technology, and that is certainly coming in the pipeline.”
JD Power released the results of its annual Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration Study on Thursday, which surveyed about 5,000 Canadians identified as new-vehicle shoppers during March and April about their EV consideration and analysis for reasons to reject an EV as an option.
Thirty-four per cent of all respondents said they were either “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider an EV, which is up from 28 per cent in 2025. JD Power says this marks the first increase of its type since 2022.
The survey was conducted shortly after Ottawa launched new consumer rebates for some electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in February.
Of the reasons participants gave for being “very unlikely” or “somewhat unlikely” to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase, 54 per cent said it was because they believed an EV’s performance would be inadequate in extreme temperatures (both cold and hot).
Other reasons given included 65 per cent that were concerned about driving distance per charge (sometimes referred to as “range anxiety“), and a perceived lack of available charging stations at 56 per cent.
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Meanwhile, the purchase price has dropped out of the top list of reasons shoppers were deterred from considering an EV, the report says.
“For most shoppers, the deciding factors remain everyday practicality: how far they can drive on a charge, whether charging is reliably available when needed and how EVs perform in Canadian winters,” said J.D. Ney, managing director at JD Power Canada in the report.
“Even with available incentives, these issues will need to be addressed before many hesitant shoppers seriously consider an EV.”
These cold weather concerns are not a myth, according to Trescases, who says both freezing and extreme heat temperatures can pose some challenges for EV owners.
When it comes to range anxiety, he says all vehicles lose range in the winter, including gas-powered options.
“It’s generally getting worse below freezing and it’s getting substantially worse when you approach minus 20. In some cases, you could be losing 40 per cent of your range.”
Trescases underscores that this big difference in range loss is not just because of the cold’s effect on batteries or other components, but also on drivers’ use of passenger features like heating (or cooling) the cabin to a comfortable temperature.
“EVs are a victim of their own efficiency — the main culprit for range loss in the winter is actually just the heat that you need for the cabin,” he says.
Trescases also says below-freezing temperatures can make fast-charging an EV challenging.
Extreme heat can also pose challenges for EVs.
“In very hot climates, the issue is not so much range loss, it’s more that the battery degrades … so accelerated aging, if you will, of the battery in very hot climates,” says Trescases.
“You do have some range loss because of air conditioning. It’s a similar issue that you need a lot of energy to cool the cabin.”
With these potential issues in mind, particularly range anxiety, Trescases still maintains EVs are more often a good choice for new car buyers, with some exceptions depending on geographic location and the persistence of extreme temperatures.
“Today’s EVs are much more accurate at predicting range, and that in and of itself is very important because it’s the uncertainty that drives the anxiety,” he says.
“If you know what you’re getting and you get somehow stranded at the side of the road, then it’s just your neglect. It’s like ignoring the fuel gauge in your gas car — you do that at your own peril.”
Lol I have 550klm range in very cold weather it goes down to 480 which is more than enough for every day driving. If I am on a trip I plan for the stops which I charge for 15 min am good to go. EVs are changing every year, mine is a 2025 and I would never go back to a ICE vehicle
Gosh boss, I was late for work today cause I had to stop and charge my EV and there was a big line up at the charge station.
the biggest problem is that electronics have a notoriously short life these days, look at any lap top it will be broken in a matter of years. how long does your cell phone last? this is why depreciation is so high on them people instinctively understand that after two years they are on borrowed time. 50000 for a car is alot of money for most people, they need the car to last ten years and then have some kind of resale value. gooo kenny
The only people driving EVs are virtue signaling rich people that drive their Ford Escalades in winter. Have you ever seen a poor person driving an EV?
I have a PHEV. I rave all the time about it. I pay for gas once every six weeks with my SUV. Previously, I paid for gas weekly with a smaller SUV. This is a no-brainer. PHEV also has no range anxiety. Ran out? Use gas.
Brad,your commentary is so full of holes not even you could decide which one to dive down.
This is the most blatant, thinly veiled advertisement to further push the agenda. Remember, your car is connected and your car remembers everywhere you’ve been and frequent. Something to ponder when you are so bored ,you read my comment.
If EVs so great why is all the Vehicle manufacturers abandoning EV projects in North America?
people need to consider electro magnetic fields and depreciation. evs suck. fix your old car better off. goooo kenny
The cold weather is why I am looking for the sodium ion batteries since they can work in colder climates for charging purposes as opposed to the lithium ones.
I haven’t seen any north American companies put them in the vehicles yet. CATL has them.
Tesla does not use them, China cats are tarrif’d to the point where the companies that do over there, will probably never make it here…
How about some facts instead of this guy’s opinions. EV’s lose at least 40% of their power in cold weather. – FACT!
It is suggested that EV’s never go below 10% charge, and never charge to over 80%. So that is 70% of the advertised range in good weather.
When it is further between charging stations than the vehicles range, it is not neglect. It is buying the wrong vehicle.
It makes perfect sense, when I can plug in my car in the apartment garage and it starts. I can even use an in-car or in-line heater and have instant heat. I have to plug the EV into 220, which is not available. I drove 200 km each way to work daily. I switched jobs and drove 350 twice a week. Without high speed charging it would take several days to charge.
You can’t top up an EV at the side of the road when you run out of battery.
Doesn’t make any sense. EV much more convenient in cold weather than gas cars. Pre heating, no need to warm up an engine and momentarily start to blow warm air, no need to wait.
What’s most interesting is the bulk of EV negativity comes from misguided information perpetrated by the fossil fuel industry. It took us exactly a week for range anxiety to become a non issue after our EV purchase. Almost all the rhetoric was shot down and replaced with facts. Range loss IS a thing in very cold temperatures BUT in most cases that makes zero difference. How many people drive 300 km round trip for work? Very few!
ELECTRICITY IS FOR HOME APPLIANCES AND POWER TOOLS. NOT FOR CARS, NEVER WILL BE.
You needed a survey to come to this conclusion?.
Becoming more popular? There sales are down.