Earth Day | 2021

8 SATURDAY APRIL 17, 2021

EARTH DAY 2021

By Stewart Wilcox W hen the federal government launched the iZEV incentive program to purchase electric vehicles in 2019, I was looking for a new car. It was the perfect time to buy an electric vehicle. There are a few things I wish I had known before buying one. Here are a few things government, businesses, apartment buildings and buyers may want to consider: Plugs matter: The Canadian standard plug is 120V with a continuous current. Most parking lot plugs cycle on and off, and only have power in the winter. Many are even lower at 110V when powered. This will work for a standard gas vehicle block heater, but electric cars need a steady, reliable stream and will not charge in these “smart” plugs. Overnight charging is crucial: Few apartments have suitable year-round outdoor plugs. This severely limits electric vehicle owners’ options when choosing to rent. I chose my apartment because it was one of the few locations with suitable year-round plugs. Garages are useful: Garages can house the chargers well. But if you do not have a garage, you will need a cover for your charger to protect it from the elements. I made mine out of a sealed rubber tub. Lines and chargers must be maintained well: Even minor faults in the line can prevent charging. Lack of overnight charging may go unnoticed until the morning. It can affect your morning commute. Public chargers are useful but not all are well maintained: I could quickly tell which places had installed fast chargers once and then neglected them. At best, they never charged and, at worse, they were visibly broken and potentially dangerous. Electric car owners plan trips around charging stations: Weekend date nights can be dictated by whether there are nearby charging stations. IKEA, Fort Whyte Alive and Polo Park quickly became my favourites. Weather matters: Electric vehicles use more energy to heat them than to cool them. This makes winters — especially Manitoba winters — more challenging. Trips that usually take 10 per cent of your battery life in the summer can take up to 30 per cent, or more, in the winter. There were times when I had to choose between wearing a heavy coat or arriving home from work. More is not always merrier: Extra weight means more energy used. Your range decreases with every extra person and item you bring with you. If you are planning a trip to the beach, you may need to choose between an extra person or that heavy cooler. Road trips must be meticulously planned: Limited range and sparse charging stations mean road trips need to be well planned out and have no unexpected detours. There is also the risk a broken charging station could significantly extend your trip — or worse, leave you stra nded. All that being said, I have enjoyed having an electric vehicle. It costs less in repairs and I do not have to worry about paying for gas. With practice and proper planning, most, if not all, issues can be avoided. My life would be easier if more businesses had fast chargers and more apartments had standard plugs — but one can only dream. Confessions of an EV user Electric cars will be part of our future. Younger generations will live with societal decisions made today. The Winnipeg Free Press reached out to 25-year-old Winnipegger Stewart Wilcox, who owns an electric car. His comments can help many of us understand and address some of the issues to increase EV use.

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