7 Least Efficient EVs in Canada

Electric vehicles (EVs) might be more efficient to run compared to their internal combustion equivalents, but many have high-horsepower motors fed by large batteries, which means you’ll be plugging them in more often and for longer periods. Some EVs are focused on maximizing efficiency, while others burn through electrons at an alarming pace.

These types of EVs are usually quite expensive and typically come from luxury brands, but not always. While electric motors are more efficient, you can’t get around the physics of mass. The more weight there is, the more energy it takes to move. The bigger the battery, the more weight there is to lug around, which means more powerful motors are required, which again adds more weight. It becomes a never-ending cycle of diminishing gains.

Here we’ve compiled a list of the seven least efficient EVs for sale today. Many are obvious, but some are a surprise. You can think of them as the gas-guzzlers of the EV world.

Note: This data was sourced from Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) fuel consumption rating search tool, and some results were omitted because if a make/model made the list once, we didn’t include the other trims and variations of it to avoid repetitiveness. We use the kWh/100 km measurements in our rankings. The yearly cost to charge assumes an average driving distance of 20,000 km/year at a price of 18 cents/kWh. For comparative purposes, the Lucid Air Pure is the most efficient EV on NRCan’s rankings with a combined rating of 14.4 kWh/100 km and a yearly fuel (fuel being the electricity) cost of $518.

7. Rivian R1S/R1T with Tri Max 20-inch Wheels 

Efficiency: 31.0 kWh/100 km combined 

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,116

The Rivian R1S SUV and R1T pickup are some of the coolest new off-road-focused EVs you can buy today. The R1T has a gear tunnel that runs behind the rear seats and can be accessed via external hatches on either side. It can be used to stow all kinds of stuff, and there’s even an entire camping kitchen that can be attached to it.

The R1S and R1T can be equipped with a very powerful triple-motor powertrain. Combined power is no joke at 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, good for zero to 100 km/h in a scant 3.1 seconds. The R1S is also a capable off-roader and can be configured to carry all your toys. It isn’t cheap, with the R1S Tri max starting at $186,900 and the R1T slightly cheaper at $174,900. With a 140-kWh usable battery, the total range per charge is 529 km, according to NRCan. All that capability comes at a cost.

6 .Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum 

Efficiency: 31.5 kWh/100 km combined

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,134

Ford makes the most popular pickup truck in the world, so it’s no surprise that it was the first to market with an electric version of the F-150. The Lightning is another capable product that can tow up to 10,000 lbs when properly equipped, though the range when towing drops substantially. It isn’t going to be the workhorse of the fleet, making it more of a lifestyle pickup than something you’ll see putting in time at the jobsite.

It's still a big, heavy vehicle, and the 131-kWh battery weighs as much as a small car. With dual motors making 580 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, it’s fast, but also thirsty for electrons. Range is rated at 483 km on a single charge.

5. 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST Extended Range / GMV Sierra EV Extended Range 

Efficiency: 32.5 kWh/100 km

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,170

Trucks in general are somewhat of a theme here. Trucks require more energy to move, and whether that energy comes from a battery or a gas tank, trucks are not known for their efficiency. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV share the same General Motors Ultium platform that’s used in a variety of extra-large battery electric vehicles, including the new Hummer EV and the Cadillac Escalade IQ.

These vehicles use the largest batteries in the industry at up to 212 kWh, weighing in at around 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs). The Silverado EV and Sierra EV with the extended-range battery can go as far as 792 km, according to GM. The Chevy makes up to 760 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque, so of course it isn’t very efficient.

4. 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ 

Efficiency: 33.6 kWh/100 km 

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,210

The G-Wagen is a legend with its military chic, iconic boxy styling, and immense capability. The electric version doesn’t have triple locking differentials, but it has four electric motors and virtual locking differentials, so it can still hold its own on rugged ground. It also does on-demand donuts.

The gas version is one of the thirstiest vehicles on the road, and the EV follows in its footsteps. Having the aerodynamics of a brick doesn’t help matters, nor does the heavy 116-kWh battery or the power output of 579 hp and 859 lb-ft of torque. The total range for a vehicle with such a big battery is abysmal at just 385 km.

3. Audi SQ8 E-Tron and SQ8 Sportback E-Tron with 21-or 22-Inch Wheels 

Efficiency: 35.2 kWh/100 km

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,267

While this model was discontinued in February, NRCan still has the Audi SQ8 on its 2025 list, and you can still purchase one.

With a unique triple motor setup, the SQ8 E-Tron marked Audi’s first EV effort that has since evolved into the A6, Q4, Q6, and GT E-Tron models. The SQ8 was a performance-focused EV, and the numbers show that. With 496 hp and a zero-to-100-km/h time of 4.6 seconds, it’s certainly not slow, and it isn’t very efficient either. The total range from a full charge is under 400 km. 

2. GMC Hummer EV

Efficiency: 44.6 kWh/100 km

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,606

The Hummer EV is the most obnoxious rendition of GM’s Ultium platform. It’s the Terminator on wheels and picks up right where the last gas version left off in 2009.

The new version is fully electric and can be equipped with GM’s giant double-stacked 212-kWh battery pack. The giant Hummer can crab walk diagonally and can launch to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.3 seconds. It doesn’t matter if you buy the pickup or SUV version — they are all some of the least efficient EVs you can buy. It’s hard to top these behemoths. NRCan lists the EV2X (dual motor) with the smaller 170-kWh 20-module battery pack as the least efficient of the Hummer line, with 454 km of range to a charge.

1. VinFast VF8 Plus Performance 

Efficiency: 47.3 kWh/100 km

Annual Fuel Cost: $1,703

I just wrote that it was hard to top the Hummer for lack of efficiency, but apparently, it wasn’t that hard because VinFast found a way. I had to double and triple check this, but according to NRCan, the least efficient EV you can buy today isn’t the Hummer or the Mercedes G-Wagen, or even the 1,000+ hp Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, it’s the VinFast VF8, a regular mid-size family-oriented crossover.

It doesn’t have a million horsepower or rapid acceleration; the specs are all quite average with dual motors making 402 hp, and mid-5-second zero-to-100-km/h times. It is heavy, with about 454 kg (1,000 lbs) of extra weight over a Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model Y, two vehicles it would compete with. It still doesn’t explain the poor efficiency and range of just 378 km from an 87.7-kWh battery.