Vancouver Island dealerships seeing long waitlists for electric vehicles

Despite electric vehicles being more common on the streets of Vancouver Island, dealer lots in Victoria are struggling to keep up with demand.

“This is the only one we have, we’ve kept it as a test drive unit so customers can see the vehicle, drive the vehicle.  Get that EV experience,” says General Manager of Campus Auto Group, Mandu Goebl.

The demand for electric vehicles is buzzing, it’s at least a three-month wait if you’re lucky said Goebl.

“Right now we have over 70 deals on file., so I don’t know how many we could sell, but my guess is anywhere between 50 and 80 a month is the demand right now,” Goebl notes.

The demand for electricity is not expected to dim anytime soon either, according to University of Victoria Economics Professor Dr. Pascal Courty.

“I think more and more people are keen to switch to electric now, and it’s just the beginning.”

In Greater Victoria, new electric vehicles are hard to come by and some dealers say that ordering one might take three to six months or longer.

With gas prices reaching record-highs around the Island, Courty adds that consumers are seeing value in the EV market, which is adding to the demand.

“There is a big demand, and there is not enough inventory. But the price hasn’t changed much. That’s why we see this big problem,” said Courty.

Courty notes that electric vehicles have that iPhone cachet, where consumers want one regardless of the wait, and price.

“It’s definitely a seller’s market. and a reseller’s market.”

With global supply issues limiting deliveries, combined with insatiable demand, the wait time to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle is not expected to improve any time soon.

READ MORE: Trudeau touts electric vehicle infrastructure boost in visit to Colwood

Editorial Policies Report an Error