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Gerry V owns a Tesla Model 3 which he uses in his daily commute from Brampton, Ontario. We found him recharging at the Supercharger station behind the Circle K gas station at 345 Speers Rd in Oakville. The busy facility has lots of amenities and is part of Gerry’s new routine and he comes here once a week. There’s a vacuum and automated carwash and a popular drive-through coffee dispensary, all of which Gerry frequently uses.
Tesla owners have lower operating costs because electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline, but that’s not what Gerry finds most pleasing. He feels proud to be a green Canadian. “I like to be seen driving this car.,” he says, “especially when I use the HOV lanes on the Queen Elizabeth Hwy.” Gerry relates how he can be found at this station once a week, and how his weekly recharge only costs him $20.
Tesla Cars Require Less Maintenance
Gerry appreciates how there are no oil changes or exhaust system issues with which he needs to be concerned. Electric cars have fewer moving parts which means there are fewer things to break. Unlike gasoline cars, Tesla’s vehicles don’t require fuel system maintenance, spark plug replacements, or emission checks. Even brake pad replacements are rare because regenerative braking returns energy to the battery, significantly reducing wear on the brakes.
Gerry showed us how he uses the car’s navigation display screen to find other places to recharge when he’s on the road. In terms of complying with the car’s annual maintenance regime, his owner’s manual spells out the manufacturer’s recommendations; the only thing he has to change, in two year’s time, is the vehicle’s in-cabin air filter.
Cost of Electric Cars Are Declining
There are some drawbacks to owning an electric vehicle, Gerry concedes, and the biggest obstacle to widespread public adoption is probably the upfront cost of purchasing a Tesla. Gerry got his Model 3 on sale for $58K, which is certainly more than he would have paid for a similar sized gasoline powered car. Although the cost can be offset by long-term savings, it’s a big expense on the purchase date.
The emergence of this new fast charging station in Oakville helps Gerry because it’s on his route. The lack of availability of charging infrastructure is the second drawback in terms of adoption, and the third reason is the charge time. Gerry spends twenty minutes here each week, catching up on his emails and watching YouTube and Netflix which are options on the Tesla app. Finding the best charging site might also add time to your commute, depending on your location, and charging an electric vehicle takes longer than refueling a gasoline car.
