The federal government has set sales targets for new vehicles, including vans, to be exclusively electric by 2035.
However, Canadians still don't have many options when it comes to electric pickup trucks, with the F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T being the only options. General Motors and Ram are expected to join the lineup in 2024.
Electric vans are designed to efficiently transport heavy loads like gas vans pulling a trailer.
The gas-guzzling vehicle label that attaches to gas-powered vans also applies to electric models. The latter requires a significant electrical recharge.
“The harder the truck works, the less autonomy you have,” says Louise Levesque, director of policies at Electric Mobility Canada.
“If you're hauling something (with your pickup truck), you use more gas per mile (and) your tank won't take you as far as it normally would. The same goes for the electric version,” she noted.
Mark Marmer, founder of Signature Electric Company, believes that electric vans should have greater battery consumption. According to him, these trucks are designed to transport heavy loads, which is not the case with an electric passenger vehicle.
However, Mr Marmer admits it can be a challenge if the driver has to stop frequently.
“You have to be aware of recharging (and) ask yourself if you've allowed enough time, if you know which recharging device to use if needed, if you can get there safely,” he said.
$1,400 in gas savings per month
Sherbrooke resident Michael LaRoche found that his electric van used up its charge more quickly when he attached a trailer to his vehicle.
Mr. LaRoche replaced his Ford F-150 pickup truck with its electric twin, the F-150 Lightning, about a year and a half ago.
“When I drive without a trailer, I can make a round trip from Montreal without reloading my vehicle,” he said.
From Sherbrooke, it is a journey of about 300 kilometers.
“But when I use a trailer, I have to charge the truck for 20 to 25 minutes using a fast charging station,” said the man, who makes his living installing charging stations for electric vehicles.
He said that he travels 300 to 400 kilometers a day three or four times a week. Since replacing his combustion engine van with an electric vehicle, he says the cost of doing business has dropped significantly.
“I recharge the truck overnight for 14 to 15 hours and I'm ready to go,” Mr. LaRoche said in an interview.
He says his monthly electricity bill, which includes both household use and vehicle charging, has now averaged $350 over the past 15 months.
The bill is certainly high, but it represents a better solution than the $450 Mr. LaRoche spends each week on gasoline purchases, allowing him to save $1,400 a month on fuel.
Big battery, but unchanged autonomy
Marmer said the truck's battery size is larger than smaller electric vehicles, but the range remains the same.
“It has to do with the size of the vehicle. So there is no increase in autonomy, but the battery has to be bigger,” he explained.
The latest electric pickup trucks are more expensive for those looking to replace their gas-powered counterpart, in part because of the brand's premium finish and novelty.
Electric vans, while expensive for commercial use, are “incredibly” reliable, Marmer said.
According to him, electric vehicles usually operate with a simple mechanism compared to a gasoline or diesel vehicle.
“This simplicity resides in the vehicle itself, and the little care it takes to operate it really makes it stand out.”
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