Key Takeaways:
- According to a recent poll, more than half of Canadians say they are driving less as gas prices in B.C. and across the country reach new highs.
- Despite the fact that B.C. has the highest gas prices in the country, residents are less likely to say that the recent price hike has caused them to drive less.
- According to the survey, more Canadians are considering buying an electric, hybrid, or alternative-fuel vehicle when they next purchase a vehicle.
As per the recent survey, more than half of Canadians say they’re driving less as gas prices hit new highs in B.C. and across the country.
The poll, conducted by Leger on behalf of RATESDOTCA, asked a representative sample of 1,500 Canadians how the recent increase in gas prices has affected their driving habits.
According to John Shmuel, managing editor of RATESDOTCA, in addition to the 54% who said they’re by now driving less, another 15% said they hadn’t changed their driving habits yet but planned to do so.
“This has a marked impact on the average Canadian,” Shmuel said.
Also read: Survey says, young immigrants may leave Canada due to the high cost of living
Although B.C. has the highest gas prices in Canada, drivers in the province are less likely to say the recent price increase has them driving less.
In terms of how they’ve changed their driving habits, Shmuel told CTV News that B.C. respondents were roughly in line with the rest of the country.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that nearly three-quarters of B.C. residents have already reduced or intend to reduce their driving.
According to the survey, Canadians are increasingly considering purchasing an electric, hybrid, or alternative-fuel vehicle the next time they buy a car.
According to Shmuel, electric vehicles presently account for about 3% of nationwide sales, but 18% of poll respondents said they expect their next car to be electric.
Another 20% planned to purchase a hybrid vehicle.
“If this holds, this will be a huge surge in the coming months and years,” Shmuel said.
According to the provincial govt, B.C. already leads North American jurisdictions in E.V. adoption, with zero-emission vehicles accounting for 9.4% of sales in 2020.
The findings of the RATESDOTCA poll suggest that the high cost of gasoline may hasten a shift that is already underway in B.C.
Meanwhile, drivers in the province, including those who drive electric vehicles, will soon receive a rebate from ICBC as compensation for the recent spike in gas prices caused by rising oil prices in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the province, drivers with basic insurance through ICBC must receive $110, while commercial drivers must receive $165.
$395 million is expected to be spent on the rebate. Those eligible for a payment will receive it in May if they have enrolled in ICBC’s direct deposit program. Those who aren’t are going to get a check in June.
Shmuel recommends that those who have reduced their driving due to high gas prices check with their insurance company to see if they are eligible for discounts.
“Many people aren’t aware of this,” he explained. “We found that only 17% of respondents told their insurance company that they were driving less in our survey.”
Vehicles driven less than 5,000 kilometers per year in B.C. are eligible for a 10% discount from ICBC.
Source: CTV News
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