Electric vehicles seem to be the cars of the future, or at least that appears to be where we’re headed, as cities around the world continue to build infrastructure that supports this shift from gas to electric.
In fact, our roads will look a lot different 50 years from now, with gas stations becoming obsolete or turning into fast-charging spots. Everyone will park and plug their car, making sure their ride home is at full battery by the time they’re finished work.
This may be the expectation of the future, but some folks may be witnessing it in the present. According to Experian Automotive, there are over 290 million vehicles in operation in the United States, with 1.4% of that total number being electric vehicles specifically, around 4 million.
While Canadian numbers are a little more vague, the Canada Energy Regulator website says that zero-emission vehicles make up over 10% of all new vehicles, with 185,000 registrations in 2023.
Mexico has also witnessed a boom in electric vehicle sales, with over 40,000 being sold throughout 2025, according to CleanTechnica.
The numbers are there, and all three levels of government are starting to see what kind of infrastructure they’re going to need to put in place. And while it’s good for the environment, there has been less reporting on what kind of impact EV charging has on an individual's wallet.
Electric Vehicle Charging
It’s hard to get an exact number on electric vehicle charging prices, as it’s all variable on where you live, how often you use your car, and the type of hydro price tier that you’ve chosen for your home.
While ultimately based on your driving habits and vehicle efficiency, the average use for an electric vehicle is 34.6 kWh for every 160 km, or 99 mi, according to GenCell.
For example, the Toronto Hydro website states that electric vehicles are costing you around $530 per year on your hydro bill, but that’s only around half of the minimum amount you pay for gas, which can be upwards of $1,000 annually.
So, yes, your car is absolutely running up your hydro bill, but you’re actually saving money in the long run in terms of actually powering your vehicle.
Of course, there are other aspects of this issue to take into consideration. For one, electric vehicles cost more than your standard gas-powered vehicle, meaning you’ll still be forking out more in terms of car payments. However, an electric vehicle doesn’t have an internal combustion engine, so you won’t have to pay a lot in terms of maintenance.
And really, shouldn’t we be more concerned with what is best for the environment? All in all, even if the prices end up becoming eerily similar, why wouldn’t you want to pick the option that has better effects on our air quality?
To get more exact numbers on how much you would be paying annually for electric vehicle charging, check your city or municipality’s hydro website for more information.
