Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/112497
hot topics EVs Lead the Charge Plug Your Ride Is it time to go electric? by Ian McNeill IT HAS BEEN 100 YEARS since the world���s first production-line electric vehicle (EV) hit who are clear about both their transportation needs and the various benefits and limitations the streets of New York, and the technology has of EV technology (see sidebar). However, the improved exponentially ��� with EVs travelling fact that EVs look good, drive well and boast farther and faster than ever. Newer incarna- environmental benefits doesn���t negate the tions have also abandoned the Popular Sci- need for solid research into the technology, ence garage-project look and incorporated notes BCAA automotive specialist Ken Cousin the kind of creature comforts Canadian driv- ��� including asking the right questions. Do I ers expect. Plus, consumers now have a via- have an educated opinion on whether or not ble choice between standard gas-fuelled an electrical vehicle is right for me? Do they vehicles and a variety of EVs built by compet- have the range and utility I need? Does an EV ing manufacturers. meet my driving needs? ���GetIn addition to becoming ting out the calculator and ���more car-like,��� EVs also condoing the math is equally important,��� advises Cousin. fer very real environmental ���For anyone contemplating an benefits, particularly in B.C. Rather than consuming fossil EV as a commuter car for a 100fuels from foreign oil wells, km daily drive ��� from Maple The Detroit Electric, which they plug into clean, hydroRidge to Vancouver and back, dates to 1912, was the precurbased renewable energy right for example, with a side-trip to sor of today���s EVs ��� one of out of the wall ��� at significant the supermarket ��� it could be which was purchased by cost savings. It takes only 25 or the perfect fit.��� Florence French of Victoria, B.C., who reportedly drove it so kilowatts of electricity to Meanwhile, surveys indiwell into the 1950s. French���s charge an EV with a range of cate that 42 per cent of CAA restored EV is now on public Members would consider purup to 150 km, at a cost in B.C. display at Stave Falls��� B.C. Hydro Powerhouse Museum, chasing an EV, and BCAA is of eight to 10 cents a kilowatt near Mission. ��� about $2 to $2.50 per chargeresponding by training its Road up. And, the infrastructure is Assist drivers in EV-specific techcoming. The provincial government recently nology and safety. EV charging stations have introduced community incentives for charg- been installed at BCAA���s Burnaby home office, ing stations, for example ��� starting with a Sep- for both Members and non-Members to use tember 2012 announcement of grants to 71 free of charge. And, Members can now access B.C. organizations. And we can expect more updates on EV technology and trends at bcaa. of the same. So it���s a good time to ask: Is an com/evolve ��� a resource for both current and electric vehicle a viable transportation alter- prospective owners that addresses common native for the average driver? questions about EVs while demystifying what The answer is a definite ���Yes��� for drivers it���s like to own, operate and maintain one. NISSAN LEAF (The Detroit Electric) VEVA, (below) Wieck Media p38-39_HotTop.indd 39 CHEVROLET VOLT Automotive specialist KEN COUSIN is the associate vice-president of BCAA���s Road Assist program. WW Critics claim EVs don���t have enough charge ���to get there and back again.��� KC: Range anxiety is understandable, but the technology is improving all the time. The Nissan Leaf, for example, has a range of up to 150 km on a single charge ��� which is often adequate for commuting to work and running a few errands. The Tesla Model S is rated up to 500 km. And, designers are maximizing range with some really creative solutions such as the Leaf rooftop solar panel, which runs the car���s navigation system. Ultimately, though, what���s most important is for drivers to determine their driving needs and buy accordingly. WW Are all kilometres ���created equal��� in terms of kilometres-per-charge comparisons? KC: Good question. If an EV is driven in the mountains, for example, then the driver will need to recharge the car���s battery sooner than if the vehicle was being driven the same distance, but over ���at terrain. Because yes, an EV battery recharges to some degree when a vehicle is travelling downhill, but not enough to offset what���s spent going up. And, driving uphill requires more energy than driving on the ���at. WW Is it true that EVs are neither fast enough nor powerful enough for highway driving? KC: The Nissan Leaf, which is used as a police car in Portugal, has a top speed of 144 km/h. As for how fast an EV can be, the Tesla Model S goes from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. That���s fast. WW How long does it take drivers to charge an EV battery? KC: It depends. Most home electrical outlets are 110 volts (Level 1), which charges an EV in up to 12 hours; dryers run on 220 volts (Level 2), enough to charge an EV battery in about six hours. In the future, drivers may also be able to opt for Level 3 charging, which cranks out 480 volts and charges an EV in two to three hours. (Note: In B.C., the homeowner rebate is up to $500 per qualifying station.) livesmartbc.ca/ Y For the latest on EV technology, ownership, trends, tips, Member bene���ts: bcaa.com/evolve WESTWORLD >> W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 39 12-11-01 10:31 AM