https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatoon-electric-vehicles-1.4973269
[images, video, audio clip in online article]
Electric vehicle advocacy buds for Saskatoon man after Nissan Leaf purchase
Glenn Wright finds skepticism about electric vehicles, but touts car's
environmental and economic benefits
Danny Kerslake · CBC News · Posted: Jan 10, 2019 1:38 PM CT | Last
Updated: January 10
It's been a journey for Saskatoon's Glenn Wright.
Last year, Wright's goal was to get behind the wheel of an electric
vehicle — and now he finds himself acting as a bit of an advocate.
"People are so skeptical of these cars," Wright said in an interview
with CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.
Wright is the proud owner of a Nissan Leaf, and the electric car is a
conversation starter.
"I decided to put vinyl lettering in the back window that says 'electric
car, saves $200 per month,' so it's not just about the environment, it's
about economics," he said.
EVs still rare in Saskatchewan
Electric vehicle drivers in Saskatchewan are still rare. EVs are hard to
find at the dealerships here, and there are not many of them out on the
province's roads.
One organizer with SaskEV, a group of electric vehicle enthusiasts,
thinks that is slowly changing.
"I think people are concerned about climate change and want to take
action on it," said Jason Cruickshank.
"I also think people are intrigued by the new technology,"
It's the environment that led Cruickshank and his family to go electric.
They decided to go with a Chevrolet Bolt.
Both Wright and Cruickshank have identified what they see as one major
roadblock that is stopping people from making the switch to an electric
vehicle — there are no financial incentives to go electric in
Saskatchewan, and that keeps demand low.
That means even if you want an electric vehicle, it's hard to find them.
"Incentives can make a big difference in opening that up to more people
who would like to buy these vehicles," said Cruickshank.
Quebec gives rebates to people who buy electric vehicles, and B.C. has
announced it wants all new cars and trucks sold in the province to be
zero-emission vehicles by 2040.
Not all roses with a Leaf
Anecdotally, according to Wright, there is a real need to overcome
negative misconceptions about what it might be like to own and drive an
electric vehicle in Saskatchewan. Wright said that people are not shy of
sharing their misgivings.
"They are worried about running out of power, they are worried about
cold weather, and they are worried about batteries dying."
So life with the Leaf is not all roses for Wright. For example, longer
trips can be tough because there are few public charging stations for
people to plug into.
Cruickshank doesn't think that should stop anyone.
"It's nice to have but unless you are trying to do a longer trip, if you
are visiting from another city, then [the charging stations] are not
really necessary."
And, he said, highway trips are possible with a little more planning and
some patience.
For example, his family took the Bolt to Edmonton, and simply took some
time going bowling or swimming while they waited for the car to charge up.
