Electric Transportation in 2020 and Beyond
A lot is happening in the electric transportation world. The purpose of this month’s article is to bring you up to speed. It also provides an answer to the question “Where is the smart money going ?”
This was intended to be my first submission of 2020, but I had to wait till some of the key information was available. I have made reference to many supporting resources from the Internet. For easy access, the links are listed at: http://www.ssiev.ca/feb-26-2020-driftwood-article-links.html. An {L} symbol indicates that a link is available.
Large Corporate (and other) Directions
Elon Musk is currently developing semi-tractor trailers which are rumoured to be used initially to deliver his own Teslas (at greatly reduced cost) before ramping up production for external sales {L}. Rivian has an order of 100,000 delivery trucks from Amazon {L}. Norway and Denmark are operating fully electric ferries on some runs. The ferries have lowered their emissions by 95% and their operating cost by up to 80% {L}. (no fully electric ferries here yet - pity) Locally, our own Harbour Air (Salt Spring Air) is being a world leader by heading to electric {L} and courtesy of the Community Energy Society, a demonstration electric bus visited Salt Spring in January {L}. The world’s first fire truck just arrived in North Vancouver. {L}. On a smaller scale, there is both a taxi company and a premiere tour company in Victoria now operating 100% Teslas.{L}. And if you can believe it, an ice rink Zamboni {L}, JEEP {L} and Boomerbuggies {L}
Charging Infrastructure
There were already thousands of Level 2 (medium speed) and Level 3 (Fast) chargers in North America. Tesla just opened a cross-Canada Supercharger network {L}. Petro-Canada has installed a high speed charging network across Canada {L}
Personal vehicles - 2020 Makes and Models
Car companies can be very cagey with specifics about what will arrive, and when it will arrive. That said, the largest companies like Ford, BMW, GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes, etc. are making big investments in personal electric transportation models. Technology improvements continue to provide greater performing batteries providing longer range and faster charge times. It seems that just about every company is introducing models for this and upcoming years. {L}
Although some models like the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf have models available on the lot today, some highly desirable models like the Kona and Kia Niro are so popular that they have several month wait lists for delivery. Boo Hiss.
Definition and Current Status on Salt Spring Island
We now have an estimated + 260 electric vehicles on Salt Spring. BC has the highest ownership of EV’s in North America {L} and we have known for years that we have the highest density (by population) in BC. We win ! We now have 11 charging stations with 17 charging wands for your use. (Sorry Taxi’s and other commercial vehicles - not for you). More free charging stations are planned by individual companies and the CRD. Reminder: You are advised to install a level 2 charger where you live {L}.
Purchasing Help
To encourage the transition to emission-less transportation, Governments and local organizations (TSSEC) are providing a variety of incentives or loans. {L}
For BC residents, there is: $3,000 for the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV) or $1,500 for purchase of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The Federal Government will also provide $5,000 for the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV). And if you have an eligible junker (like my old Subaru), there is a scrap-It program for most vehicles which is $6,000 for the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV) and $3,000 for the purchase of a used battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV). There are also incentives for installing chargers. These incentives are in very high demand so check ahead for availability.
The Bottom Line
The BC Government is mandating for manufacturers to no longer sell internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040 {L}. But why wait till then? Today there is more choice and incentives. You get to be part of the clean air movement, and get invited to local clever events and parties. Time to make the switch ?
I encourage your respectful comments. I can be reached at: [email protected]
A lot is happening in the electric transportation world. The purpose of this month’s article is to bring you up to speed. It also provides an answer to the question “Where is the smart money going ?”
This was intended to be my first submission of 2020, but I had to wait till some of the key information was available. I have made reference to many supporting resources from the Internet. For easy access, the links are listed at: http://www.ssiev.ca/feb-26-2020-driftwood-article-links.html. An {L} symbol indicates that a link is available.
Large Corporate (and other) Directions
Elon Musk is currently developing semi-tractor trailers which are rumoured to be used initially to deliver his own Teslas (at greatly reduced cost) before ramping up production for external sales {L}. Rivian has an order of 100,000 delivery trucks from Amazon {L}. Norway and Denmark are operating fully electric ferries on some runs. The ferries have lowered their emissions by 95% and their operating cost by up to 80% {L}. (no fully electric ferries here yet - pity) Locally, our own Harbour Air (Salt Spring Air) is being a world leader by heading to electric {L} and courtesy of the Community Energy Society, a demonstration electric bus visited Salt Spring in January {L}. The world’s first fire truck just arrived in North Vancouver. {L}. On a smaller scale, there is both a taxi company and a premiere tour company in Victoria now operating 100% Teslas.{L}. And if you can believe it, an ice rink Zamboni {L}, JEEP {L} and Boomerbuggies {L}
Charging Infrastructure
There were already thousands of Level 2 (medium speed) and Level 3 (Fast) chargers in North America. Tesla just opened a cross-Canada Supercharger network {L}. Petro-Canada has installed a high speed charging network across Canada {L}
Personal vehicles - 2020 Makes and Models
Car companies can be very cagey with specifics about what will arrive, and when it will arrive. That said, the largest companies like Ford, BMW, GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes, etc. are making big investments in personal electric transportation models. Technology improvements continue to provide greater performing batteries providing longer range and faster charge times. It seems that just about every company is introducing models for this and upcoming years. {L}
Although some models like the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf have models available on the lot today, some highly desirable models like the Kona and Kia Niro are so popular that they have several month wait lists for delivery. Boo Hiss.
Definition and Current Status on Salt Spring Island
We now have an estimated + 260 electric vehicles on Salt Spring. BC has the highest ownership of EV’s in North America {L} and we have known for years that we have the highest density (by population) in BC. We win ! We now have 11 charging stations with 17 charging wands for your use. (Sorry Taxi’s and other commercial vehicles - not for you). More free charging stations are planned by individual companies and the CRD. Reminder: You are advised to install a level 2 charger where you live {L}.
Purchasing Help
To encourage the transition to emission-less transportation, Governments and local organizations (TSSEC) are providing a variety of incentives or loans. {L}
For BC residents, there is: $3,000 for the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV) or $1,500 for purchase of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The Federal Government will also provide $5,000 for the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV). And if you have an eligible junker (like my old Subaru), there is a scrap-It program for most vehicles which is $6,000 for the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV) and $3,000 for the purchase of a used battery electric vehicle (BEV/EV). There are also incentives for installing chargers. These incentives are in very high demand so check ahead for availability.
The Bottom Line
The BC Government is mandating for manufacturers to no longer sell internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040 {L}. But why wait till then? Today there is more choice and incentives. You get to be part of the clean air movement, and get invited to local clever events and parties. Time to make the switch ?
I encourage your respectful comments. I can be reached at: [email protected]