Electric vehicles are gaining ground slowly but surely in Canada.
According to Green Car Reports, sales of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) have doubled in the past three years, jumping from 3,106 total sales in 2013 to 6,354 total sales in 2015.
There's one segment, however, where EVs may be pulling even further ahead of the pack.
Supercars, the uber-expensive, high-performance vehicles on everyone's dream list, are increasingly relying on electric components.
In the past few years, a handful of luxury brands have joined the EV race. Standouts include Ferrari's LaFerrari, McLaren's P1 and Porsche's 918 Spyder, which was featured at last year's Vancouver International Auto Show. Each vehicle boasts hybrid or fully electric power and clocks in at more than $1 million.
The reason is simple: electric motors provide big benefits.
Electric power equals instant torque, which makes for unbeatable acceleration. Couple this with regenerative braking and other emerging electric tech and EVs have nowhere to go but up.
It's only in recent years that the trend has taken off. Back in 2007, Tesla had the only EVs of note on the supercar circuit. But as EVs became easier to make due to constantly improving in-vehicle computers and better to drive due to lower vehicle weights, the idea exploded.
It began with hybrid versions of already existing models. Now, manufacturers are starting to develop electric supercars from the ground up.
In September, Porsche unveiled its first all-electric model at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Its Mission E concept boasts a potential driving range of 500 kilometres and charges in 15 minutes - only slightly longer than it takes to fill a gas tank.
Deliveries of the long awaited R8 e-tron, Audi's first fully-electric production vehicle, begin this year. Run by two rear motors powered by a lithium-ion battery, the vehicle sprints to 100 kilometres per hour in 3.9 seconds and has a range of just over 450km.
Big names aren't the only ones joining in on the EV supercar trend. A handful of niche companies are coming out with concepts of their own.
Company Faraday Future entered the playing field at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in January by unveiling its FFZero1 concept, which claims a 0-60 time of less than three seconds and a top speed of more than 300 km/h.
Just weeks later, Quebec-based Dubuc Motors announced a crowdfunding campaign for its all-electric Tomahawk supercar, which aims for a 250 km/h top speed and 500km range.
From niche brands to long-standing manufacturers, everyone wants to get their name in the EV supercar game.
Manufacturers are aiming for top speeds, but still need to comply with stringent emissions regulations - and greener-minded customers. Electric vehicles provide this balance, and will play a growing role in the supercar segment.
To see some of the newest EV supercars, and test out more affordable electric and hybrid vehicles, be sure not to miss the Vancouver International Auto Show, running March 23-27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This year's show offers Green Ride and Drive, a chance to test out the latest EVs at two locations.
Blair Qualey is president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
