Hyundai Canada is giving customers in parts of the country a new way to experience driving electric vehicles before they buy.
The South Korea-based automaker has partnered with Turo, Canada’s largest peer-to-peer car sharing company, in a program called EValuate. Canadians curious about EVs but not ready to commit, can book a Hyundai EV directly through Turo for a multi-day trial for a daily introductory rate of $150.
Customers aged 25 and over with a valid licence from the province they are testing in are eligible to use the program. If they go on to purchase a Hyundai EV, they will receive a $500 incentive applied to the purchase price.
Canadian drivers can assess the range, convenience, safety features and driving technology of Hyundai EVs, Hyundai said in a news release.
Select Canadian dealerships will list Hyundai electric vehicles on the Turo car-sharing platform. With the click of a button, Canadians can then book a Hyundai EV test drive through the Turo website or app.
The only EV model listed as available on Turo is Hyundai’s Ioniq 5. The website states the Kona EV will be available later this year.
Bassem El-Rahimy, Turo’s director and head of marketing, Canada, said the introductory daily rate of $150 may change, subject to market conditions.
Hyundai and Turo said the partnership aims to address barriers to widespread EV adoption. Turo’s recent Car Ownership Index found that 86 per cent of Canadians have never had the opportunity to drive an EV. The index also found 66 per cent of Canadians would feel more comfortable making the switch to an EV if they had the opportunity to experience it for a few days to a week.
“There is a real need-state to address consumer queries and hesitations about electric vehicles,” said Don Romano, Hyundai Canada CEO. “Through this partnership with Turo, we look forward to giving Canadians the opportunity to learn more about how our EVs can seamlessly fit into their lifestyles, for a more sustainable tomorrow.”
El-Rahimy said in an interview that Hyundai and Turo have been in discussions for some time on a potential partnership, and came up with the EValuate program during one brainstorming session. In Canada, Turo has about 500 other EVs listed on its platform, but they are privately owned used vehicles. “Hyundai realizes that a traditional test drive is just not enough for most people anymore,” El-Rahimy said.
“Turo has one of the largest selections of EVs of any car sharing marketplace in Canada,” said Cedric Mathieu, vice-president and head of Turo Canada. We are proud to partner with Hyundai to greatly expand our electric vehicle offerings and make it easier than ever for Canadians to enjoy an extended EV test drive.”
Hyundai said the program is available in select cities in Quebec and Ontario and will roll out across additional Canadian markets throughout this year, beginning with B.C.