Watch: Hesitant on an electric car? These people say don't be

• More people are converting gas cars into electric
• Learn why there’s optimism for EVs to become more affordable
• Tesla club president thinks buying a brand-new gas car makes no sense anymore

With current gas prices breaking all-time records, interest in electric vehicles (EV) is at an all time high as well.

At McCurdy Corner, Electrify Okanagan saw dozens of electric vehicle owners proudly display their wheels and invited curious onlookers to ask questions or even take a ride.

The organizer behind Electrify Okanagan said the event was to show the public "that electric vehicles do work."

“Especially when the price of gas goes up to $2 a litre, everybody is quite interested in electric these days,” Kent Patterson told Kelowna10.

Not only is he the proud owner of a Tesla Model S, but also owns a jet boat that was on display and in the process of being converted into an electric motor.

Patterson said the investment into an electric vehicle pays for itself. He said he was spending $2,000 a year on fuel, a stark contrast to the $400 he spends on electricity. After installing solar panels, he said the cost was even less.

Patterson wasn’t the only one in attendance in the process of converting internal-combustion engines.

Brian Gray, with Revamp Electrified Classics, stood next to his now EV, 1954 Fargo truck.

“I thought, well rather than restore this to its original gas powered, slow farm truck status, we decided to upgrade it a little bit and do some electric conversion too,” Gray said.

EV owners have formed a community in the Okanagan. When Patterson heard what Gray was attempting, he donated his old batteries for the truck’s conversion.

This being a passion project, Gray admitted it’s not the cheapest way to get into EVs. The parts alone have cost him $34,000 - so far. He predicts the project will cost nearly $70,000.

EV cost still too high

And while Gray battles his own costs, many EV owners in attendance could relate to a degree. Many said one of the main barriers-for-entry for new electric drivers is the cost.

Tony Muller, who was one of the earliest Tesla owners in the Okanagan, had a chart set up at his car. It showed the different prices for electric cars..

He feels it’s an important industry to promote.

“I think global warming is a serious problem that we’re all facing, and our grandkids are going to face in the future,” he said. “I would like to see that changed over.”

He and his wife’s goal was to lead by example when it came to EVs, so they’re encouraged to see more on the roads of Kelowna.

“There is no reason why every vehicle on the road shouldn’t be electric, given time,” Rich Teer, president of the Tesla Owners Club of British Columbia, said. “Especially, for personal transport.”

Because the federal government has announced plans to phase out the purchases of gasoline cars, Teer thinks it doesn’t make sense anymore to buy a brand-new car if it isn’t electric.

He hopes to see Kelowna further embrace EVs by installing chargers into all new homes and into all the high rises set to be built.

He also hopes, with used electric engines entering the market, it will bring down the price and encourage more drivers to ditch gasoline engines.