This is a continuation of my series showing what it costs to buy a used EV instead of a comparable used gas car. I think most people have the wrong impression that it costs more for the EV.

In 2019 I wrote a guide for people to help them decide which vehicle type saved them more money: an affordable used EV with a solar panel grid-tied system, or a used automatic Honda Civic hatchback with similar features. Here’s another update with some more recent figures given that the costs have changed over the years depending on factors like technological improvements, and supply chain shortages. The difference in price now is staggering. How are more people not figuring this out?!

2023 Nissan Leaf
Plus SV, 1 Owner | 54000km | EV | CarPlay / Android
North Vancouver, BC Certified pre-owned
$ 26,265 + TAXES & LICENSING

2023 Honda Civic Hatchback
17100km | Gas
Richmond, BC
$ 32,990 Good price + TAXES & LICENSING,

2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
SPORT | SUNROOF | HTD SEATS | CAR PLAY
108000km
Barrie, ON
$ 21,995 Great price +TAXES & LICENSING

Now that 2023 used Civic is more costly than the Civic chosen in 2024. However it’s in BC, so would cost an extra ~$1800 to ship to Regina, plus there’s the SGI safety and PST to pay for of about $1950, just like with the LEAF from BC. (You could take a bus or flight to BC and drive back for less than a shipping charge.) The base trim includes features like a rear view camera, Bluetooth, etc. The Civics in Regina are practically all sedans right now, so aren’t as comparable.

My used Nissan LEAF 2014 (bought 9 years ago), with the same technology features listed above plus rear heated seats, and heated steering wheel (handy in winter): $15,500. At my old place, I had 8 solar panels which cost $8,400 installed. Together that’s $23,900. Today if you bought a 2016 LEAF on Autotrader it would be $9,000 (much less than what it cost 4 years ago)! Assuming a $20,000 solar panel array installed, that’s $29,000. Add on $2000 for shipping, and $800 to pay for an SGI safety and tax bringing the total to $31,800.

A solar powered hatchback that costs $1190 less than a similar gas burning hatchback from 2023 that also needs 2 oil changes a year, seems like a better idea. The solar array produces far more electricity than your car will use, which lowers your home’s electricity bills. The LEAF Plus has a larger battery pack, so its range is over 300km. It doesn’t do long trips without slower recharges after a full day of driving, so you might want to rent a long-range car for some of those trips if speed is important.

You might be able to get a $10,000 solar array installed, but more typically they start at $20,000, I checked with a local solar installer who said 5KW systems are about as small as they come these days. The extra money can’t come from an interest-free loan from the federal government, Carney cancelled that. Doubting sorts might question, can a $10,000, 2.5kW solar array really power a Nissan LEAF. That’s a great question! The answer is complicated. The short answer is yes!

Using a Bluetooth OBDII car-computer reading gizmo to read the 2014 LEAF’s battery status with my phone and the app Leaf Spy Lite, it reveals my car’s battery has 20kWh of capacity, down from its brand new 24kWh selling point.

Using the Solar Edge website, I was able to determine that my solar array in March would typically produce more than 10kWh per day. That electricity is instantly used in the house, the EV if plugged in to charge, and the excess goes into the grid. The power company, SaskPower, no longer provides a 1-for-1 credit for the electricity provided vs. taken from their grid in a set year. In 2019 SaskPower ended Net Metering and started Net Billing. There’s now a 0.5-for-1 credit instead. It is still economical to get solar to offset an EV use. You’re not paying for gas, and can include the expense of the solar array in your vehicle’s operating budget.

My household tends to charge our 2014 LEAF to 100% overnight on the the Level 2 fast charger, and use it to about 50% capacity during the following day. That means it needs ~10kWh put back into it at night.  Astute readers will note that’s about how much power the 2.5kW solar array produces during the day. The LEAF doesn’t need gasoline, or oil changes. You can “fill” it at home on a regular wall plug, or a more convenient Level 2 charger.

Why are people still buying new or used Civics as an around-town car? If they routinely travel more than 150km in the city in a day, 100km at top highway speeds, or take trips beyond 400km weekly, the Civic might be more appealing, but it’s obviously more expensive and harder on your lungs and our planet’s living systems.

Now, if you want to save even more money, and save more creatures, I have another tip for you:

Buy an ebike or etrike instead of an EV, if you’re using it for in-town travel. Your cost to recharge an ebike is about 2-4 cents. That’s not a typo, it’s really only four cents to charge an ebike battery to travel up to 50km. And they’re more fun than any car.