Century Auto re-launches "TEV Talks" - public education sessions to debunk EV myths
On January 27th and 28th 2025, Century Auto re-launched the first edition of a conference aimed at improving public knowledge of electric vehicles (EVs), while deconstructing common myths regarding their benefits and the overall EV ownership experience.
- The pilot project recently took place at Century Hyundai dealerships in Truro and Saint John
- These sessions aim to expand the public's general knowledge of electric vehicles.
- Three EV experts in different areas were on-site to discuss the benefits of going electric, while dispelling common misconceptions about electric vehicles
On January 27th and 28th 2025, Century Auto re-launched the second edition of a conference aimed at improving public knowledge of electric vehicles (EVs), while deconstructing common myths regarding their benefits and the overall EV ownership experience.
For this second edition of Hyundai Total Electric Vehicle (TEV) Talks, the presentation took place at Century Hyundai and Century Hyundai - Saint John, the first dealership dedicated to electric vehicle education in North America, from a mass market automobile manufacturer. A panel of three experts conducted presentations, including: Quinn McCarthy, director of business development, Century Auto; Daniel Breton, president of Electric Mobility Canada; and Mr. Patrick Nadeau, owner of a Hyundai IONIQ 5 that was driven from Québec to Mexico in 2022 and to the Arctic Ocean in 2025.
Christine Smith, director of marketing for Hyundai Auto Canada, was also on-site to partake in the event. “These events were an idea that we came up with earlier last year at Hyundai Canada [as] a way to help customers and prospective EV owners, learn more about [what] driving and owning and living with an EV is like. We know that there's a lot of myths and misperceptions out there, so we wanted to get out there with real information, real stories from owners and subject matter experts and bring that to the communities across Canada.” says Smith.
A journey through EV ownership in three parts
First addressing the history of electric vehicles, which dates to the 19th century, Patrick Lefebvre explained how the technology has evolved over time to get to where it is today, brushing aside the argument that it is still a new technology that has not yet been proven.
Daniel Breton provided clarity on five common myths about electric vehicles:
-EVs do not work in winter
-There are not enough charging stations
-EVs are too expensive
-EVs are not fun to drive
For each of these arguments that are often put forward to disparage electric vehicles, Mr. Breton had clear and precise explanations, with supporting figures, demonstrating that a tremendous amount of information in the public eyes conveyed about EVs is false.
Afterwards, the presentation moved from theory to practice with Mr. Patrick Nadeau, who enthusiastically recounted his journey from Québec to Mexico aboard his Hyundai IONIQ 5. Co-owner of a virtual reality experience creation company, Mr. Nadeau took advantage of his trip to stop in numerous national parks in the United States to create new content, before joining his wife and their three children in Puerto Vallarta. After his presentation, participants were able to put on virtual reality headsets to experience the places visited by Mr. Nadeau during this journey of more than 15,000 kilometers with his 2022 IONIQ 5 Preferred Long Range.
The second and third of many TEV Talks
For this pilot project, two presentations were held during the day at both the Century Hyundai dealership in Truro, NS and the Century Hyundai - Saint John dealership. Families were invited to participate in the first session with a more informal tone. In the evening, the same speakers welcomed consumers and members of the media interested in learning more about electric vehicles.
Throughout the presentation, guests were encouraged to ask questions, the idea being to have open dialogue with the audience, not a one-way presentation. To encourage discussion, groups were limited to approximately 25 people. Food was offered on site, as well as the opportunity for guests to see Hyundai’s latest electric vehicles up close, and even test drive them around the dealerships.
Given the great interest in the TEV Talks pilot project, Hyundai Auto Canada now aims to repeat the experience in other cities across the country, with the support of some of its dealers.
- The pilot project recently took place at Century Hyundai dealerships in Truro and Saint John
- These sessions aim to expand the public's general knowledge of electric vehicles.
- Three EV experts in different areas were on-site to discuss the benefits of going electric, while dispelling common misconceptions about electric vehicles
On January 27th and 28th 2025, Century Auto re-launched the second edition of a conference aimed at improving public knowledge of electric vehicles (EVs), while deconstructing common myths regarding their benefits and the overall EV ownership experience.
For this second edition of Hyundai Total Electric Vehicle (TEV) Talks, the presentation took place at Century Hyundai and Century Hyundai - Saint John, the first dealership dedicated to electric vehicle education in North America, from a mass market automobile manufacturer. A panel of three experts conducted presentations, including: Quinn McCarthy, director of business development, Century Auto; Daniel Breton, president of Electric Mobility Canada; and Mr. Patrick Nadeau, owner of a Hyundai IONIQ 5 that was driven from Québec to Mexico in 2022 and to the Arctic Ocean in 2025.
Christine Smith, director of marketing for Hyundai Auto Canada, was also on-site to partake in the event. “These events were an idea that we came up with earlier last year at Hyundai Canada [as] a way to help customers and prospective EV owners, learn more about [what] driving and owning and living with an EV is like. We know that there's a lot of myths and misperceptions out there, so we wanted to get out there with real information, real stories from owners and subject matter experts and bring that to the communities across Canada.” says Smith.
A journey through EV ownership in three parts
First addressing the history of electric vehicles, which dates to the 19th century, Patrick Lefebvre explained how the technology has evolved over time to get to where it is today, brushing aside the argument that it is still a new technology that has not yet been proven.
Daniel Breton provided clarity on five common myths about electric vehicles:
-EVs do not work in winter
-There are not enough charging stations
-EVs are too expensive
-EVs are not fun to drive
For each of these arguments that are often put forward to disparage electric vehicles, Mr. Breton had clear and precise explanations, with supporting figures, demonstrating that a tremendous amount of information in the public eyes conveyed about EVs is false.
Afterwards, the presentation moved from theory to practice with Mr. Patrick Nadeau, who enthusiastically recounted his journey from Québec to Mexico aboard his Hyundai IONIQ 5. Co-owner of a virtual reality experience creation company, Mr. Nadeau took advantage of his trip to stop in numerous national parks in the United States to create new content, before joining his wife and their three children in Puerto Vallarta. After his presentation, participants were able to put on virtual reality headsets to experience the places visited by Mr. Nadeau during this journey of more than 15,000 kilometers with his 2022 IONIQ 5 Preferred Long Range.
The second and third of many TEV Talks
For this pilot project, two presentations were held during the day at both the Century Hyundai dealership in Truro, NS and the Century Hyundai - Saint John dealership. Families were invited to participate in the first session with a more informal tone. In the evening, the same speakers welcomed consumers and members of the media interested in learning more about electric vehicles.
Throughout the presentation, guests were encouraged to ask questions, the idea being to have open dialogue with the audience, not a one-way presentation. To encourage discussion, groups were limited to approximately 25 people. Food was offered on site, as well as the opportunity for guests to see Hyundai’s latest electric vehicles up close, and even test drive them around the dealerships.
Given the great interest in the TEV Talks pilot project, Hyundai Auto Canada now aims to repeat the experience in other cities across the country, with the support of some of its dealers.
