I’d love an EV. The idea of never having to fill the gas tank again sounds pretty great.

But honestly, we’re probably still saving money by driving two gasoline-powered cars.

Both my wife and I work from home most days. On the days one of us does commute, it’s not far (less than 15 kms). Our son’s daycare is within walking distance of our house. And frankly, since I started The Level, we can’t really afford to go anywhere else.

(Okay, that’s not entirely true. We’re road-tripping to Vancouver Island to watch the Super Bowl with close friends. My cherished Seahawks are playing. It’s a big deal.)

Long story short, we just don’t drive enough to make the EV switch worth it, given the higher purchase price.

But if it makes sense for you, and you’re debating whether a lower-priced Chinese model is a good idea, check out our feature story below, written by Chris McOuat.

Have a great weekend!

-Neil Malik

If you trust reviews from countries that already allow Chinese EVs, the cars are getting a lot of praise. Take Australia, where in just 10 months, the BYD Sealion 7 has become the second-best-selling electric vehicle in the market.

According to one reviewer, “...it’s easy to see why this SUV has set the standard for what drivers looking to make the switch have been waiting for. A tech-filled, comfortable electric SUV.”

If something goes wrong with your new EV, you’ll want it resolved quickly.

But without an established dealer network, service centres, and a local supply of parts, you could be hooped if anything breaks. Worst case, you’re stuck without a car for an extended period of time waiting for parts to ship from overseas.