(NC) Did you know that electric vehicles (EVs) were cruising around for decades before the first cars powered by internal combustion engines hit the road? EVs, also known as zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, have come a long way since the first ones were invented nearly a century ago. If you’re curious about buying one, here are four things you should know.

Cost to own
Electricity isn’t free, but the cost to charge an EV battery is far lower than the price of gas. And beyond the savings at the pump, EVs can be cheaper to maintain than standard vehicles. For one, there’s no need for regular oil changes and tune-ups. There are also very few moving parts in an EV compared to a gas or diesel vehicle, meaning fewer things to wear out and break down, like transmission and exhaust systems.

Range per charge
One of the main concerns people have about EVs is their range. Most EVs on the market have a driving range of at least 200 to 300 km, with the top-performing ones being able to travel 600 km or more on a single charge. If you need a mix of long and shorter trips, you might consider a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs on battery power and then switches over to a combustion engine when the battery is depleted.

Rebate eligibility
Across Canada, the federal government’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program offers rebates of up to $5,000 for the purchase or lease of EVs for personal use.

There’s also a program for businesses looking to buy or lease medium- or heavy-duty work vehicles. It’s called the Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles Program, with incentives of up to $200,000 per eligible vehicle.

Learn more about these programs by searching zero-emission vehicles on canada.ca.