Malcolm Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Beware costs and logistics of at-home chargers before buying an electric car03:06 CTV National News: Plan to phase out gas car sales Electric vehicle mandate a tough sell in Sask. 02:20 How will fire departments tackle EV fires? 02:43 Ritika Dubey The Canadian Press Staff Contact Published Dec. 20, 2023 4:44 a.m. MST TORONTO - It's a simple yet important routine for so many Canadians - plugging in their cellphones and smartwatches before bed to ensure they're fully charged in the morning. Increasingly, there's another item to add to the list: the car. Electric vehicles have been gaining in popularity, accounting for three per cent of light vehicle sales in 2022, up from 2.3 per cent a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. That number is poised to jump, with the federal government phasing out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Still, experts say potential buyers often overlook the cost and logistical challenge ofsetting up at-home charging infrastructure before driving their brand-new car home. RELATED STORIES New technology installed beneath Detroit street can charge electric vehicles as they drive The problem, according to Daniel Breton, head of the industry association Electric Mobility Canada, is people have limited knowledge and understanding of electric vehicle chargers. An Electric Mobility Canada survey found 88 per cent of respondents said they would like their next vehicle to be electric but only 13 per cent claimed to have an in-depth understanding of EVs, including the number of public charging stations, government rebates and battery life, among other aspects. Installing an at-home charger is not typically a do-it-yourself project, with the electrical system being central to the setup. Mark Marmer, owner of Signature Electric, said the process begins with consulting a licensed electrical contractor, who can offer advice on where to install the charger and whether existing electric panels are adequate. The rules vary by region, but installing a charger typically requires a permit from the local electric authority. There are different types of chargers, each with their own specific use and charging speed. Level one chargers often come with electric vehicles and can be plugged into any regular wall outlet without additional setup, Marmer said. Level two chargers, which are also used at home and very common, offer faster charging. Meanwhile, level three chargers, often the size of refrigerators, are mostly found in public areas. Marmer, who has been installing electric vehicle chargers for about seven years, said it's important to understand the driver's parking style. “I don't care where you want the charger, I want to know how and where you park your car,” he said, adding the installation advice changes if it's a new driver needing extra space to park the car. Top headlines on electric vehicles, and all the latest automotive news Marmer said single-family homes have more flexibility in where and how they want their charger can be installed. The overall installation process for a detached home can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000, while the price tag of a level two charger itself can cost between $500 and $1,500. Government rebates can help families offset installation costs. Charging an electric vehicle in a shared space such as a multi-family home, condominium or apartment gets more complicated. Halifax resident Dylan Harris-McDonald bought his first electric vehicle last year while living in a rental apartment. “There wasn't an exterior plug that we could charge at home and it was logistically challenging trying to figure out where to charge publicly and how to charge at work, mostly because my work location is somewhat remote,” he said. When Harris-McDonald subsequently moved into a single-family home, the charging situation became a lot easier but only after he upgraded the home's electrical wiring. He says he routinely racked up $200 in electric bills every month to charge both his vehicles. His round-trip commute was roughly an hour each day. Most rental apartments don't come with the electric capacity to charge electric vehicles in-house. While some condo owners have started to push for charging stations to be installed in their buildings, the process can be difficult to persuade all residents and the board due to high installation costs and resistance from corporate landlords. Akiko Hara says she relied on a shopping mall charging station when she bought her first electric vehicle four years ago - until the shopping centre was torn down a year later. Since then, Hara said she has been advocating for her Vancouver condominium to install EV chargers. In November, building residents rejected the second motion for a charging station over the last three years. If it were to be approved, all condo owners would've split the cost of installations - estimated at $35,000 - proportionate to their condo units, whether they own an EV or not. Mike Mulqueen, director of commercial partnerships for electric vehicle charging technology company Swtch Energy Inc., says pushing condo boards for faster adoption of private charging stations is necessary. “The very important conversations have to be had with the property manager and board members … for there to be a plan for the building to accommodate residents with electric vehicles,” Mulqueen said. Swtch works with condo boards and property managers on the electric charger installation process. Depending on the engagement of a condo board, Mulqueen said, the installation process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year, including applying for government rebates. Condo chargers, while requiring similar infrastructure, also need a mechanism for revenue collection, unlike single-family homes - making installations more expensive. “You need those charges to be a bit smarter,” Mulqueen said. “They need to be networked so that you can pull that information and see who's using those kilowatt-hours, which adds a bit of cost because the charger itself is typically more expensive in a multi-family situation.” Depending on the number of chargers, size of the transformers and panels, charging stations in condos can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 per level two charger, Mulqueen said. But he adds charging infrastructure in condo buildings is the future. “Most charging is going to happen at home,” he said. “People are making purchasing decisions around a range of anxieties because they're worried about being caught in public without a charger for a long trip.” For Hara, the fight to get chargers installed in her condo building is still on, but stands by her decision to buy an electric car. “I have no regret,” Hara said. “I'm doing something kinder for the earth. That's my belief and that's the least I can do.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2023. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydee Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Malcolm said: He says he routinely racked up $200 in electric bills every month to charge both his vehicles. His round-trip commute was roughly an hour each day. When you add every other cost together when it comes to EV’s, inflated purchase price, battery replacement, home charging infrastructures, inconveniences etc etc to name a few they have a longgggg way to go to be cost effective Also keep in mind when there are more EVs than gas models on the road, where is the revenue going to come from to repair roads etc etc when the TAX $$$$ collected on gas disappear? Expect charging fees / electric costs to go through the roof once every one gets sucked in. Edited December 20, 2023 by Jaydee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydee Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Watch this reel https://www.facebook.com/reel/315338388033084?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0NULKw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Seems the rest of the world is more interested in progress... https://www.power-technology.com/news/germany-launches-first-electric-highway/?cf-view Germany has introduced the first electric highway on its motorway system to recharge hybrid trucks as they drive. The ehighway is 6 miles long and is on the A5 motorway south of Frankfurt in the state of Hesse. The ehighway was built by German engineering company Siemens, with assistance by groups from the Technical University of Darmstadt and ENTEGA. Similar to overhead power lines used for trains and trams, hybrid trucks will connect to overhead cables and charge trucks whilst they travel at speeds of up to 56mph. The scheme was funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, who provided €14.6m for the construction of the motorway, with a further €15.3m available for trials in Hesse until 2022. So far only one truck will use the highway but another four are expected to be added by 2020. Siemens estimate that if 30% of Germany’s motorways were electrified, the country would reduce its CO2 emissions by seven million tonnes and fuel savings could be as much as €16,000 per 100,000km. Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter said: “Electrified overhead line trucks are a particularly efficient solution on the way to climate-neutral freight transport. We’ve tested the system for many years on private test routes. “We’re now inaugurating practical tests on the A5 autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, and two 2 further test stretches will follow in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Baden-Württemberg.” Hesse state secretary at the ministry of transport Jens Deutschendorf added: “With this project, Hesse is underscoring its leading role in the transition to sustainable, climate-friendly mobility and signaling its willingness to try out new technologies for transportation.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/05/09/sweden-is-building-the-worlds-first-permanent-electrified-road-for-evs-to-charge-while-dri Sweden is building the world's first permanent electrified road for EVs to charge while driving The first of its kind in the world, the e-motorway may lead to an expansion of a further 3,000 km of electric roads in Sweden by 2035. As the EU passed a landmark law last month to require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, European countries are rushing to prepare the infrastructure needed for fossil fuel-free mobility. And Sweden is now turning a highway into a permanent electrified road - the first of its kind in the world. On an electric road, cars and trucks can recharge while driving. Experts say dynamic charging allows them to travel longer distances with smaller batteries, and to avoid waiting at charging stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydee Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 44 minutes ago, deicer said: And Sweden is now turning a highway into a permanent electrified road - the first of its kind in the world. On an electric road, cars and trucks can recharge while driving. Best news on the EV front since conception and fantastic news if i works. I can also just imagine the billions required to build and maintain it. Economically feasible / payback by what?….the year 2500 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 3 minutes ago, Jaydee said: Best news on the EV front since conception and fantastic news if i works. I can also just imagine the billions required to build and maintain it. Economically feasible / payback by what?….the year 2500 ? Just like building pipelines and gas stations for ICE cars and trucks. At least it is something that can be retrofitted into existing roads as they come up for resurfacing. More importantly, it is an example of how more progressive parts of the world are working towards a better future. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 5 hours ago, deicer said: More importantly, it is an example of how more progressive parts of the world are working towards a better future. it all depends how you define progressive adjective 1. happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step. "a progressive decline in popularity" 2. (of a group, person, or idea) favoring or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas. 1. a person advocating or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas. "people tend to present themselves either as progressives or traditionalists on this issue" 2. GRAMMAR a progressive tense or aspect. "the present progressive" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 LUCYK: Electric vehicle revolution could drive higher electricity rates: Manitoba Hydro An electric vehicle is connected to a charging point at a Gridserve e-charging station at an Audi Automotive parking lot in Tunis on August 8, 2023.© Provided by Winnipeg Sun What will the federal government’s ban on gas-powered cars cost you through your hydro bill as the powers that be push everyone towards electric vehicles (EVs)? It might shock you to learn that nobody really knows the answer. As you may remember, the federal government announced in 2021 that it would transform transportation in Canada: people would no longer be able to buy new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. While it will allow any ‘zero-emission vehicle’ (ZEV) to be sold past that point, the Trudeau government has heavily pushed electric vehicles as the solution. Not only has Ottawa said Canadians will have “to embrace the change and go electric ,” they’re committing over $40 billion in taxpayer dollars into subsidies and incentives for EV battery plants. A new report from SecondStreet.org examines analysis conducted by provincial governments (who are in charge of the electric grid within their borders) on Ottawa’s plan to phase out gas-powered vehicles. After all, a wave of electric vehicles will require a significant amount of electricity, upgrades to local distribution networks (the power lines and transformers in your community) and expansions to the electrical panels in many homes across the nation. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to buy an electric car. Competition is a good thing. However, if a wave of Canadians begin driving EVs, it’s important to know ahead of time what the bill looks like. As it turns out, not one province provided an estimate on how much the average power bill will increase thanks to Ottawa’s policy and the changes needed to make it happen. Manitoba was no exception. That being said, Manitoba Hydro did provide some interesting insights on what this mandate might mean for everyday Canadians. First, the money for these upgrades will have to come from somewhere, and, in materials provided to SecondStreet.org, Manitoba Hydro made it clear who will be paying: “If the utilities/ratepayers are to fund the necessary distribution system upgrades to power EVs then it will result in higher utility charges.” Second, an increase in power bills will hurt low-income people the most. It’s simple: more of their paycheck goes toward paying utility bills. If utility bills go up, low-income people will feel the squeeze the hardest. Manitoba Hydro acknowledged this as well. Thirdly, there are a number of other challenges with replacing gas-powered cars with EVs that aren’t related to cost. One particularly relevant example is that EV batteries lose a lot of range in cold temperatures. The Ontario government puts the figure at around 50%. For someone living in Dauphin who wants to head into Winnipeg for some shopping or a Jets game in January, that could be a serious problem. It’s been known to get chilly in Manitoba every now and then. Until the cost of this change is calculated for each province, and communicated with Canadians, it would be responsible for the federal government to put a pause on its electric vehicle push. The federal government could take the time to do its homework, then let Canadians know just how much they’ll have to pay for the needed upgrades to the province’s electricity system. After that, people can decide for themselves if they still support the policy. Would you buy a new house or make any other major purchase without knowing the price? The answer is probably ‘no.’ So why is Ottawa committing to the EV mandate without any clue of the price tag? — Dom Lucyk is the Communications Director with SecondStreet.org, a Canadian think tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 5 hours ago, Jaydee said: Best news on the EV front since conception and fantastic news if i works. I can also just imagine the billions required to build and maintain it. Economically feasible / payback by what?….the year 2500 ? and of course the cost of the charger units that have to be in the vehicles. The devil is always in the detail How does it work? The project is currently at the procurement stage and is planned to be built by 2025. The charging method for E20 hasn’t been decided but there are three types of charging: catenary system, conductive (ground-based) system, and inductive system. We think the electrification solution is the way forward for decarbonising the transport sector and we are working with a number of solutions. Jan Pettersson Director of Strategic Development, Trafikverket The catenary system uses overhead wires to provide electricity to a special kind of bus or tram and therefore can only be used for heavy-duty vehicles. Conductive charging, on the other hand, works both for heavy-duty vehicles and private cars as long as there is a conduction system such as a rail. The vehicles are charged through a stick that touches the rail. In 2018, Trafikverket inaugurated the world's first charging rail for electric vehicles on public roads as a pilot between Stockholm’s Arlanda airport and a logistic logistics area in Rosersberg. Along a 2 km long stretch, an electrical rail has been milled into the asphalt on which electric trucks lower a moving arm that receives power. The inductive charging system uses special equipment buried underneath the road that sends electricity to a coil in the electric vehicle. The coil in the vehicle then uses that electricity to charge the battery. In 2020, Trafikverket built a wireless electric road for heavy trucks and buses in the island city of Visby. Amid a global driver shortage, this Swedish firm is aiming to put self-driving trucks on the roads Potential benefits for private cars Pettersson says the world is facing a "special challenge" of keeping heavy vehicles charged. "If you are going to have only static charging full battery solution for heavy-duty vehicles, you will get vehicles with a huge amount of batteries that the vehicles need to carry," he said. While much of the Electric Road System (ERS) focuses on trucks, a recent study suggested that private cars could also benefit. The study simulated the movement patterns of 412 privately driven cars on parts of Swedish national and European roads and found that combining home charing with dynamic charing can reduce the size of the battery by up to 70 per cent. Researchers behind the study also say that not all roads in Sweden need to be electrified; doing so on only 25 per cent of all roads would be efficient for the system to work. This was the first attempt to simulate the electric road system (ERS) with real-life driving patterns. But the researchers point out that the ERS may not be for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 57 minutes ago, Malcolm said: it all depends how you define progressive adjective 1. happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step. "a progressive decline in popularity" 2. (of a group, person, or idea) favoring or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas. 1. a person advocating or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas. "people tend to present themselves either as progressives or traditionalists on this issue" 2. GRAMMAR a progressive tense or aspect. "the present progressive" Working in the aviation business, you should know that from travelling North America is mired in the mud when it comes to implementing new technology. So yes, progressive is the proper term to use when you see other countries being pro-active and implementing things that benefit society, not just corporations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 58 minutes ago, Malcolm said: and of course the cost of the charger units that have to be in the vehicles. The devil is always in the detail How does it work? The project is currently at the procurement stage and is planned to be built by 2025. The charging method for E20 hasn’t been decided but there are three types of charging: catenary system, conductive (ground-based) system, and inductive system. We think the electrification solution is the way forward for decarbonising the transport sector and we are working with a number of solutions. Jan Pettersson Director of Strategic Development, Trafikverket The catenary system uses overhead wires to provide electricity to a special kind of bus or tram and therefore can only be used for heavy-duty vehicles. Conductive charging, on the other hand, works both for heavy-duty vehicles and private cars as long as there is a conduction system such as a rail. The vehicles are charged through a stick that touches the rail. In 2018, Trafikverket inaugurated the world's first charging rail for electric vehicles on public roads as a pilot between Stockholm’s Arlanda airport and a logistic logistics area in Rosersberg. Along a 2 km long stretch, an electrical rail has been milled into the asphalt on which electric trucks lower a moving arm that receives power. The inductive charging system uses special equipment buried underneath the road that sends electricity to a coil in the electric vehicle. The coil in the vehicle then uses that electricity to charge the battery. In 2020, Trafikverket built a wireless electric road for heavy trucks and buses in the island city of Visby. Amid a global driver shortage, this Swedish firm is aiming to put self-driving trucks on the roads Potential benefits for private cars Pettersson says the world is facing a "special challenge" of keeping heavy vehicles charged. "If you are going to have only static charging full battery solution for heavy-duty vehicles, you will get vehicles with a huge amount of batteries that the vehicles need to carry," he said. While much of the Electric Road System (ERS) focuses on trucks, a recent study suggested that private cars could also benefit. The study simulated the movement patterns of 412 privately driven cars on parts of Swedish national and European roads and found that combining home charing with dynamic charing can reduce the size of the battery by up to 70 per cent. Researchers behind the study also say that not all roads in Sweden need to be electrified; doing so on only 25 per cent of all roads would be efficient for the system to work. This was the first attempt to simulate the electric road system (ERS) with real-life driving patterns. But the researchers point out that the ERS may not be for everyone. https://pluglesspower.com/learn/mainstream-electric-cars-are-headed-towards-wireless-charging/ MAINSTREAM ELECTRIC CAR MAKERS RACE TO WIRELESS EV CHARGING Wireless Charging Upgrade for Tesla LEARN MORE by Mia Yamauchi Nearly every electric car maker has plans for hands-free EV charging — everything from electrified ultrasedans from Mercedes to the Nissan LEAF. Luxury EV Makers Ramp Up Wireless Charging Announcements Wireless charging is an easy sell for the luxury car market: more convenient, more futuristic, more awesome. Autonomous inductive charging simultaneously hearkens back to the luxury of the full service gas station attendant and fulfills the promise of futuristic, clean, autonomous transportation systems. Wireless charging has been in the spotlight at this year’s Paris Motor Show, with VW and Mercedes-Benz featuring inductive charging in their marquee EV announcements. Both hinted at late-decade production vehicles. For Mercedes this is a doubling down on wireless charging, having recently announced it wireless charging on the 2017 S550e. Buyers will be able to opt for built-in wireless charging when they special order this $97,000 base-price plugin hybrid to keep the sedan’s 19 miles of battery-only range topped off. The idea of a luxury car so convenient it even fuels itself is a perfect fit with the high-end Benz brand. BMW has previously demonstrated wireless charging with the i8 the company uses as a pace car in Formula E racing. Rumors abound regarding wireless charging systems for BMW i-series plug in hybrid electric vehicles. In a post on the BMW blog last year, the automaker talked up wireless charging as a way to ensure “optimal range for zero-tailpipe-emission electric driving.” Plugless is the only company offering wireless charging for many of the EVs on the road today. The Plugless system is a premium accessory available on four EVs, covering nearly half the North American EV market and making a wireless charging available today for more than a quarter million EV drivers in the US alone. A unique autonomous charging concept in the luxury market comes from Tesla Motors. Tesla’s robotic “snake charger” prototype physically finds and connects itself to the car’s charging port. Some (even at Tesla) have expressed doubts about the contraption. Even if consumers can get past the slithering aesthetic, every vertebrate knows firsthand how one tiny tweak can disable a system with so many articulating joints and pieces. Most electric vehicle drivers value low maintenance tech with fewer moving parts. And Tesla owners may have to wait a long time as Elon Musk said in January, “we’d probably roll it out first on some of the Super Chargers and see how that goes.” Audi has been vocal about the imperative to ‘hurry’ towards inductive charging as a top executive explained late last year. For the snake-averse in the ultrasedan market, the Plugless Model S is available today for wireless inductive charging at home. Support for the Model X and upcoming Model 3 are expected as well. Audi has been vocal about the imperative to “hurry” towards inductive charging as a top executive explained late last year. A refueling solution that works indoors and outdoors in even the tightest parking spots, whether you remember it or not, makes refueling with an electric car more convenient than with a gas car. Not to be left behind in the race to self-charging EVs, Porsche’s Mission E announcements include wireless charging. Porsche has made it clear that it will only release a pure EV when it feels it can deliver an electric car that truly embodies the values of the luxury brand. In an interview with the LA Times, Wolgang Hatz, Porsche Global Head of R&D, said of Porsche’s EV strategy: “We were asked many times, ‘Why don’t you do a pure battery car? We said it would happen when we can really deliver performance, reliability, and driving range. And now the time is right.” Optimal charging plays a key role in Porsche’s concept of the perfect EV. Porsche claims its e-sports car’s 310 mile battery will charge up to 80% full in just 15 minutes, making road trips a breeze. For daily home charging needs the Mission E offers the convenience of an inductive charging system. Porsche is targeting 2020 for delivery of the Mission E. Nissan’s Future Vision of Wireless EV Charging According to its Future Technology website, Nissan’s wireless charging feature “frees an electric vehicle (EV) of the need for a cable when charging, further advancing the convenience of EVs.” Nissan highlights the potential of self-charging vehicles in its Smart Street video released this March. In Nissan’s Utopian vision, autonomous electric vehicles, wireless charging and flexible grids all work together to ensure that “no renewable energy goes to waste” in clean, beautiful, interconnected cities. Nissan’s Intelligent Driving System (IDS) concept car boasts over 200 miles pure electric range, autonomous parking capabilities and wireless charging. Nissan’s goal is to deliver electric vehicles that “equal or surpass the convenience of gas cars.” Concept car features don’t all end up in production vehicles (and Nissan has not promised a timeline) but the design suggests a strategy focusing on bringing the best of EV tech to the more affordable, longer-range EV segment. There is already an wireless charging accessory option for the 98,810 Americans who have purchased a Nissan LEAF. The LEAF was the first vehicle Plugless supported because it was the most popular battery electric vehicle on the market when we started production. Wireless EV Charging and Chevy There is very little news from Chevy on adding wireless EV charging to its lineup. Although, they do offer a wireless phone charging option in the center console. Plugless has offered wireless charging for the Chevy Volt since early 2014. And we will likely support Bolt wireless charging as well. Some argue wireless charging is less valuable for the Chevy Volt since it runs on gas if you don’t plug in. As a Volt driver I disagree. Even though forgetting to charge isn’t critical, it’s annoying. Plugin hybrid drivers can get addicted to the e-mile lifestyle and resent obligatory gas station visits. They have also paid a premium for their electrified drive train. A system that lets a plugin hybrid charge itself helps maximize electric miles over the car’s lifetime. The Path to Widespread Wireless EV Charging Interoperability will be the next major stepping stone to widespread adoption of wireless EV charging. Research and industry leaders, including Evatran, the maker of the Plugless accessory, are contributing to the conversations around developing a wireless charging standard. A draft wireless charging standard (J2954) has been released by standards organization SAE. As the standard develops over the next 3-5 years it may help pave the way for broader interoperability. In the same way that standardized home outlets can power any consumer appliance, standardized wireless charging protocols have the potential to make wireless charging an easy way to charge any electric vehicle. While the standards develop, Plugless has begun the release of its second generation Plugless system this fall. The second generation Plugless, already available on the Model S, improves interoperability between the EV models that Plugless will support using the platform. The 2nd Gen Plugless system is an important step towards our goal of supporting wireless charging for 80% of electric vehicles on the road in North America. It is our vision that one day in the near future, EV drivers can pull up to any Plugless-enabled space for home, workplace or public charging. For example, a wireless charging space at the grocery store where their battery tops off while they shop. No hassling with dirty cords in poor weather conditions—simply park and go. Why so much news about wireless EV charging? From luxury electric sedans to everyday commuter cars, the discussion about wireless charging is popping up everywhere. Industry and customers agree that the hassle of cords is one of the barriers slowing EV adoption. Wireless charging helps electric vehicles surpass the convenience of gas cars. Even the most far-out ideas around wireless charging may become reality sooner than most expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Tech is already in use. https://pluglesspower.com/ PLUGLESS POWER™ HAS BEEN THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN AUTONOMOUS CHARGING 1st Wireless EV Charging Station to Provide 1 Million Charge Hours, including installations at Google™ & Hertz™. 1st 3.3kW & 7.2kW Production Wireless Charging Station for Purchase by EV Owners. 1st Wireless EV Charging Station Installed on a Production Fleet of European Driverless Shuttlebuses. 1st Production Wireless Charging Station for Tesla™ Model S™. 1st Production Wireless Charging Station to Support a Chinese Production EV with 6" Air Gap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 7 hours ago, deicer said: Just like building pipelines and gas stations for ICE cars and trucks. At least it is something that can be retrofitted into existing roads as they come up for resurfacing. More importantly, it is an example of how more progressive parts of the world are working towards a better future. Global Finance 2023 Ranking of the World’s Most Technologically Advanced Countries And Territories Ranking Country Composite Score 1 South Korea 6.63 2 United States 4.94 3 Taiwan 4.90 4 Denmark 4.79 5 Switzerland 4.68 6 Israel 4.10 7 Finland 3.94 8 Netherlands 3.79 9 Sweden 3.76 10 Norway 3.59 11 Singapore 3.50 12 United Kingdom 3.49 13 Belgium 3.42 14 Germany 3.25 15 Austria 2.99 16 Japan 2.97 17 Iceland 2.97 18 United Arab Emirates 2.88 19 Canada 2.54 20 Australia 2.29 21 Hong Kong SAR 2.26 22 Estonia 2.11 23 France 1.42 24 Qatar 1.38 25 Czech Republic 0.89 26 Slovenia 0.89 27 Lithuania 0.89 28 Spain 0.71 29 Bahrain 0.61 30 Luxembourg 0.53 31 New Zealand 0.47 32 Hungary 0.31 33 Malaysia 0.26 34 Latvia 0.10 35 Cyprus -0.05 36 Ireland -0.21 37 Portugal -0.22 38 China -0.23 39 Saudi Arabia -0.31 40 Poland -0.39 41 Slovak Republic -0.72 42 Italy -0.85 43 Thailand -0.98 44 Russia -0.99 45 Croatia -1.23 46 Greece -1.59 47 Romania -1.90 48 Bulgaria -2.38 49 Kazakhstan -2.40 50 Turkey -2.56 51 Chile -2.76 52 Argentina -3.34 53 South Africa -3.54 54 Jordan -3.67 55 Brazil -3.81 56 Mexico -4.48 57 Ukraine -4.49 58 Botswana -4.56 59 Indonesia -5.06 60 Mongolia -5.07 61 Peru -5.20 62 India -5.38 63 Phillippines -5.77 64 Colombia -6.15 65 Venezuela -7.95 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airband Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Scratch and dent sale... ICBC scraps 2022 electric car after owners faced with $60,000 bill to replace damaged battery Damage to the EV's battery voided the vehicle's warranty and the quoted $60,000 replacement was more than a new car was worth, so ICBC wrote off and scrapped the nearly new automobile Thu Dec 21, 2023 - The Vancouver Sun by Derrick Penner A Vancouver electric-car owner was shocked to learn earlier this fall that seemingly minor damage to his car’s battery required replacement of the unit and was quoted a $60,000 repair bill — more than the list price for a new car. The owner was told the damage voided his warranty on the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, forcing him to file a claim with ICBC, which simply wrote the car off due to the extraordinary cost. Automotive journalists Zack and Andrea Spencer chronicled the case on their Motormouth YouTube channel and said the case raises big questions for EV manufacturers around replacement costs and repairability of batteries as Ottawa introduces new rules to speed up EV adoption. “The story is, people are buying these cars not knowing what the actual cost of the most important component of the car is to replace,” Zack Spencer said. In this case, the Ioniq 5’s battery cover plate on the bottom of the car was scratched and showed a small deformation, which indicated the battery had suffered an impact. Andrea Spencer added that it poses a problem for the whole industry if manufacturers can’t bring battery costs down, because “we cannot be writing off electric vehicles because the battery is damaged and the price is much too high to repair the vehicle.” “This is a wake-up call and it really is big news,” Andrea said. How big an issue writing off damaged EVs over battery-replacement costs in B.C. is difficult to determine because ICBC, the provincial insurer, doesn’t track that information, said spokesman Greg Harper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydee Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydee Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-grid-operators-allowed-throttle-electricity-bid-faster-expansion-heat-pumps-ev-chargers#:~:text=Grid operators in Germany will,Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Remember to check the tires Electric vehicles can chew through tires faster because of their weight and peppiness. Getty stock© Getty stock Electric vehicles offer a lot of benefits for drivers but they can go through tires quickly. The environmental impact of tires is drawing attention — including from regulators. More tire manufacturers are trying to go green with their products and also make versions for EVs. You're looking to climb into an electric vehicle because it's better for your wallet, better when it comes to maintenance, and better for the planet. But don't forget to kick the actual tires. That's because for all of their benefits, vehicles powered by electrons can be hard on tires. EVs are essentially massive rolling batteries. This means they're often heavier than their gas-powered cousins. And EVs' electric motors can produce huge torque at practically any speed. That tends to make the vehicles a lot peppier. Teslas and other EVs don't need as much maintenance as gas-powered cars. Here are key differences in upkeep and repairs.©Provided by Business Insider Gas-powered vehicles require maintenance like oil changes and more. EVs are mechanically simpler and more electronic, requiring less routine work. Still, there are key nuances to EV maintenance that drivers should know. Taking your car to the shop will look a lot different if you drive an EV versus a gas-powered vehicle. EV-drivers can say goodbye forever to oil changes and various other common gas-drivetrain maintenance responsibilities. Tesla has advertised its vehicles with that, touting them as "eliminating the need for service." But because EVs are so tech-heavy, they do come with some maintenance and service nuances. For instance, over-the-air software updates might keep these vehicles in tip-top condition. But if an EV does need repair, it could take a lot longer. EVs also have complex batteries. And those batteries could be costly to replace. Here's a rundown of all the ways that keeping an EV on the road is different from a gas-powered vehicle: See more The extra weight and zero-to-60 capabilities that push passengers into their seats mean EVs can chew through tires more quickly than other vehicles. EVs' penchant for snacking on tires and broader concerns about the environmental harms from tires in general has some of the biggest manufacturers trying to green up their product lines. That means the next time you go car shopping or to look for new tires, there could be more options for what rolls beneath. The expanded product lines come as many tire makers have set goals for making products that go easier on the environment. That could have a big impact because the world wears through some 1 billion tires each year. There's also been more focus in recent years on the microscopic bits of tires — and brakes — that flake off and make their way into the environment. By some measures, this pollution is greater than what's coming from tailpipes. And, no surprise, making tires requires significant amounts of crude oil, which is helping warm the planet. Because of these concerns, many tire giants are looking to find more environmentally friendly ingredients. Bridgestone is exploring how a desert shrub called guayule could serve as a source of natural rubber. Michelin introduced a tire in 2022 that the company said was made of 45% sustainable materials — including components from recycled tires, steel comprised of recycled scrap metal, and silica made from rice husks. The company plans to make tires from only sustainable materials by 2050. Goodyear, for its part, has said it plans to replace all of the petroleum-derived oils it uses by 2040. Chris Helsel, senior vice president, global operations and chief technology officer at Goodyear, told Insider the company plans to begin selling tires made of 70% renewable materials before the end of 2023. The company this year demonstrated a tire made of 90% sustainable materials. It incorporates pine tree resins, recycled polyester, and soybean oil that can reduce demand for petroleum products. "That oil is actually giving us better low-temperature performance," he said, adding that the soybean oil isn't what's used in food production. The company didn't want to trade one problem for another by using resources that could be feeding people. "We're also very careful that it doesn't compete with food," he said. "It's the byproduct of processing. It's not that we're saying instead of using soybeans for people's food, use it for our tires." Part of the push for better tire ingredients is also coming from regulators. In July, California adopted a rule that will require companies selling tires in the nation's largest car market to look for a safer alternative to the chemical 6PPD. The toxin is one manufacturers use to help keep tires from cracking. California officials said the 6PPD has been found in the state's streams at levels shown to kill coho salmon in lab studies. The state's move follows its well-publicized decision to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and trucks by 2035. The growing market for EVs also has tire producers focusing on developing products specifically for these vehicles. The tires are designed to deal with the vehicles' heft, withstand the wear from fast acceleration, and extend a vehicle's range. Estimates vary, but by one measure, EV tires can wear out 30% faster. That's why it's necessary, manufacturers say, to design tires for these vehicles. Goodyear is researching ways to make tires last longer — an obvious benefit for the environment. "If we can find ways to just help keep tires better maintained, we can have a really big impact as well on emissions or downtime," Helsel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 How far can you go with EVs in Canada? A closer look at range, battery life - National | Globalnews.ca Then there's the question of how Canada's cold weather will affect your battery life. Lévesque said that colder weather will consume more energy from your EV due to the use of heating and the road conditions that require more traction. She said the average drop in battery life is about 20 to 25 per cent but you may see about a 40 per cent reduction in battery life in -20 C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 The Chevy Blazer EV Isn't Alone. GM Owners Say The Ultium Cars Are A Hot Mess blazer problems top 2© InsideEVs Charging issues, infotainment problems and frustration seem to be common for Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer, and Chevrolet Blazer EV owners. Unfortunately, it looks like our 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV’s catastrophic failure in Virginia doesn't seem to be just a one-off experience with an unusually bum car. The day after our story went live, our friends at Edmunds published a piece chronicling their strife with the Blazer EV. It's been in their possession for two months, but it’s spent more than two weeks at the dealership’s service department with a laundry list of problems. Similarly, shortly after reporting on our Blazer EV drive, an array of GMC Hummer, Cadillac Lyriq, and Chevy Blazer EV owners have become way more vocal about their vehicles' woes. Get Fully Charged GM's electric future isn't off to a great start GM's Ultium software and battery architecture is very much the future of the company. But the various Ultium EVs have been repeatedly delayed, and those that are on sale right now seem to have a lot of problems. It seems like the floodgates have opened. Here is a collection of emails I’ve got from Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer EV, and Chevrolet Blazer EV owners, all of them explaining their issues, many of them identical to what I experienced, in their own words. Remember, these cars are all on GM’s new Ultium platform, a common EV architecture that eventually will underpin every new GM vehicle in the near future as the American giant aims to go all-electric by 2035. There still aren't a ton of these cars on the road yet; based on our latest data, GM sold about 6,900 Ultium-based EVs between the start of the year and the end of Q3. But more are coming soon, including many new models from each of these brands. (We reached out to GM for comment on these issues but have not heard back yet; we will update this story when we do.) Glitchy, Broken Infotainment Systems The Edmunds staff and I both had the same problem: the infotainment would randomly crash, then reboot and flicker for a very long time, until the infotainment just would crash entirely. This appears to be somewhat common among all three models, especially the Blazer EV, and the Cadillac Lyriq. Andrew Kozar emailed me twice in quick succession; he’s only had his Blazer EV since Nov. 27. After five days of ownership, the car’s infotainment screen crashed and got stuck in the same loop as we’ve described before. chevy blazer ev charging© InsideEVs “[Three days later,] we took it to the dealer. No one seemed to know what to do," Kozar wrote. "After two weeks a tech was finally able to reproduce the issue (after some insistent prodding from myself with picture proof I was not making it up.) They decided to do a software update that bricked both the infotainment system AND gauge cluster rendering it useless. Because no speedometer means to driving. We are currently waiting on a replacement module and on week three of the dealer having my car. I was lucky enough to drive it five days issue-free." About an hour after his initial email, Kozar replied explaining that the dealership replaced the entire radio module. It was installed, but Kozar says the dealership’s technicians couldn’t sync the new module to the car, so the car is still inoperable. Kozar isn’t sure when he’ll get his Blazer back. Similar to Kozar, Jeffrey Wiens purchased a Blazer EV on Nov. 12. He said the infotainment screen conked out three days after taking ownership, and he’s spent three and a half weeks with the dealership, with an infotainment screen that constantly crashes, and reboots with not much recompense from his local GM dealer. Cadillac Lyriq fast charging© Provided by InsideEVs Global Sammy Kumar had a 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, but similar software woes with the infotainment screen and Super Cruise saw him trade the car in for an Escalade-V. “I had the infotainment issue where the screen would just cut out while driving as well but the issue that made me sell that car was Super Cruise," Sammy said. "I had it on my previous Escalade and it worked flawlessly. The Lyriq on the other would frequently disengage from SC without any real reason. There was a stretch of highway that was just straight and it disconnected 4 or 5 times. It was sunny, with pretty low traffic, and no obvious reasons why it would disconnect. There was another incident where the car just started merging into another lane without any warning. I had Super Cruise's automatic lane switch feature which displays on the screen before it switches lanes. I suspect there was a lag with the display/infotainment system because there were other instances where I used the turn signal to invoke the on-demand lane departure and the alert didn't show up until after the car had switched lanes." Despite the Escalade and Lyriq both using Google-based systems, Kumar says the Escalade’s has been far more reliable. Charging Issues Aren’t Uncommon Infotainment issues are one thing. Sure, they can be possibly debilitating if they affect the gauge cluster to the point where there’s no way for the driver to determine how fast they’re driving. But mostly they could be classified as annoying, and not quite dealbreakers. Charging issues, though, can seriously impact the function of the vehicle. Several owners reached out and said they’ve experienced charging events that have sent their vehicles to the service department. One of our regular commenters, the user named Carac, and his GMC Hummer EV may be one of the most telling experiences here yet. His truck had two different charging issues after trying to fast charge at Electrify America stations, and one incident happened at the very same DC fast charging station where I ran into problems in Wytheville, VA. “On Oct. 4th, I stopped in Columbia, South Carolina at 11:35 p.m. at about 30%.," Carac wrote. "I was the only one there, plugged into a 350 [kilowatt-hour DC fast charger], it charged for a minute and 55 seconds, max 300 kW then I noticed the charge rate jumped suddenly and it stopped charging, then the 'Charge Port Error' came up on the screen,” he said, via e-mail. Sound familiar? After that event, he said his Hummer wouldn’t charge at all. The local GM dealer cleared the codes, and all was well. Until Nov. 21, anyway. That's when the Hummer did the same thing in Wytheville. The only difference is that the car would charge but at a very slow rate of 9 kW. Again, the local GM dealer cleared the codes and the car continued on. To be safe, Carac’s been avoiding Electrify America stations entirely. The Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq are also not immune to charging issues. Reader Bill Boyance dealt with glitchy infotainment and charging issues. His Blazer refused to charge, then the “infotainment system went haywire,” and a “red warning light came on.” Boyance says the dealer took the car back, replacing it with a gas-powered ICE Blazer RS. Likewise, this example on Reddit tells of a Lyriq that would only charge at 7 kW on a DC fast charger. Of course, I did get some correspondence from Lyriq, Hummer, and Blazer owners who were pleased with their purchase, even if their vehicle had issues. However, it’s more than a little concerning that there are so many issues with the Ultium-based cars despite only a relative handful being on the roads. In the emails, there’s a tone of frustration, as many of the afflicted owners have said that they don’t feel that the service departments truly know what is wrong with their vehicles, or how to fix them. GM and Electrify America are still working on figuring out exactly what happened during our drive to North Carolina. We will update you when we have an official answer from both sources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Until 2024 for now GUNTER: Liberals driving EVs down the disinformation highway This picture taken on October 18, 2023 shows an electric vehicle being charged at Antuoshan charging station in Shenzhen, China's southern Guangdong province.© Provided by Toronto Sun While reading this column, I ask you to keep one thought in the back of your minds: The federal Liberals think they should be in charge of content on the Internet because only they can protect Canadian democracy from “disinformation.” On Tuesday, when federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced that 20% of new vehicles sold in Canada must – must – be EVs within just the next two years (and 100% by 2035), he insisted EVs “will help Canadians with the cost of living. Once you drive a car off the lot, the saving on fuelling and maintenance costs are enormous.” Even Guilbeault’s own department knows that’s inaccurate. It’s just that the minister chose not to share the full truth with Canadians. In an effort to convince Canadian consumers of the wisdom of buying EVs — and Canadian taxpayers of the efficacy of subsidizing EVs — Guilbeault left a lot of facts out of his assertion; facts even his own department can’t ignore. First, EVs are, of course, more expensive to buy than conventional, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars – upwards of 40% more expensive without heavy federal and provincial subsidies and as much as 20% more with subsidies. Electrics are not helping Canadians with the cost of living through their purchase prices, which is probably why Guilbeault only boasted about EVs being so much cheaper “once you drive a car off the lot …” On the lot, EVs remain a luxury good, which is why the average EV buyer makes over $100,000 a year and the average family income in Canada is just over $70,000. Subsidies to purchase EVs amount to a tax on ordinary Canadians so higher-income Canadians can buy electric toys to appease their eco-consciences. Guilbeault also insisted subsidies will become less necessary as EVs and conventional vehicles reach “price parity.” According to the minister, EVs and ICE vehicles will soon cost roughly the same to buy. RECOMMENDED VIDEO But a “regulatory impact analysis” prepared for internal use at Environment Canada, and uncovered by the online news service Blacklock’s Reporter , found that among models (mostly sedans) where price parity is possible, it will not be reached for nearly a decade. And for other vehicle types (notably pickups and plug-in hybrids), parity will likely never occur. Indeed, Environment Canada’s internal calculations estimate the higher cost of EVs and the expense of installing home charging stations will cost Canadian consumers $54 billion more in the next 25 years. Meanwhile, net energy savings will be just $37 billion. Meaning that even under the highly biased calculations of Guilbeault’s own department, the net cost of switching everyone over to EVs will ding Canadian consumers $17 billion. Not sure how exactly that helps with Canadians’ cost of living. And that staggering sum doesn’t take into account the higher cost of electricity if Ottawa pushes ahead with another Guilbeault goal — making the nation’s power grid net zero by 2035. If electricity costs double, as they easily could, Guilbeault’s EV scheme could cost Canadian car buyers $30 billion or more, just using Environment Canada’s own numbers. Electrics also aren’t cheaper to maintain. If they are involved in accidents, they can cost many times more to repair than conventional vehicles. Their insurance premiums are higher. Because they’re heavier, they chew through tires faster (to say nothing of road repair costs to municipalities and provinces). If their batteries start to lose capacity, new ones can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Another internal federal document uncovered last year put the cost of conversion to EVs at $99 billion by 2050, which is probably more accurate than $54 billion. Either way, Guilbeault’s claim about the affordability of EVs amounts to “disinformation” — the very kind of disinformation the Liberals think they are uniquely qualified to guard us against. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 eware costs and logistics of at-home chargers before buying an electric car Story by The Canadian Press • 1w Beware costs and logistics of at-home chargers before buying an electric car© Provided by The Canadian Press TORONTO — It's a simple yet important routine for so many Canadians — plugging in their cellphones and smartwatches before bed to ensure they're fully charged in the morning. Increasingly, there's another item to add to the list: the car. Electric vehicles have been gaining in popularity, accounting for three per cent of light vehicle sales in 2022, up from 2.3 per cent a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. That number is poised to jump, with the federal government phasing out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Still, experts say potential buyers often overlook the cost and logistical challenge ofsetting up at-home charging infrastructure before driving their brand-new car home. The problem, according to Daniel Breton, head of the industry association Electric Mobility Canada, is people have limited knowledge and understanding of electric vehicle chargers. An Electric Mobility Canada survey found 88 per cent of respondents said they would like their next vehicle to be electric but only 13 per cent claimed to have an in-depth understanding of EVs, including the number of public charging stations, government rebates and battery life, among other aspects. Installing an at-home charger is not typically a do-it-yourself project, with the electrical system being central to the setup. Mark Marmer, owner of Signature Electric, said the process begins with consulting a licensed electrical contractor, who can offer advice on where to install the charger and whether existing electric panels are adequate. The rules vary by region, but installing a charger typically requires a permit from the local electric authority. There are different types of chargers, each with their own specific use and charging speed. Level one chargers often come with electric vehicles and can be plugged into any regular wall outlet without additional setup, Marmer said. Level two chargers, which are also used at home and very common, offer faster charging. Meanwhile, level three chargers, often the size of refrigerators, are mostly found in public areas. Marmer, who has been installing electric vehicle chargers for about eight years, said it's important to understand the driver's parking style. "I don't care where you want the charger, I want to know how and where you park your car," he said, adding the installation advice changes if it's a new driver needing extra space to park the car. Marmer said single-family homes have more flexibility in where and how they want their charger can be installed. The overall installation process for a detached home can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000, while the price tag of a level two charger itself can cost between $500 and $1,500. Government rebates can help families offset installation costs. Charging an electric vehicle in a shared space such as a multi-family home, condominium or apartment gets more complicated. Halifax resident Dylan Harris-McDonald bought his first electric vehicle last year while living in a rental apartment. "There wasn't an exterior plug that we could charge at home and it was logistically challenging trying to figure out where to charge publicly and how to charge at work, mostly because my work location is somewhat remote," he said. When Harris-McDonald subsequently moved into a single-family home, the charging situation became a lot easier but only after he upgraded the home's electrical wiring. He says he routinely racked up $200 in electric bills every month to charge both his vehicles. His round-trip commute was roughly an hour each day. Most rental apartments don't come with the electric capacity to charge electric vehicles in-house. While some condo owners have started to push for charging stations to be installed in their buildings, the process can be difficult to persuade all residents and the board due to high installation costs and resistance from corporate landlords. Akiko Hara says she relied on a shopping mall charging station when she bought her first electric vehicle four years ago — until the shopping centre was torn down a year later. Since then, Hara said she has been advocating for her Vancouver condominium to install EV chargers. In November, building residents rejected the second motion for a charging station over the last three years. If it were to be approved, all condo owners would've split the cost of installations — estimated at $35,000 — proportionate to their condo units, whether they own an EV or not. Mike Mulqueen, director of commercial partnerships for electric vehicle charging technology company Swtch Energy Inc., says pushing condo boards for faster adoption of private charging stations is necessary. "The very important conversations have to be had with the property manager and board members … for there to be a plan for the building to accommodate residents with electric vehicles," Mulqueen said. Swtch works with condo boards and property managers on the electric charger installation process. Depending on the engagement of a condo board, Mulqueen said, the installation process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year, including applying for government rebates. Condo chargers, while requiring similar infrastructure, also need a mechanism for revenue collection, unlike single-family homes — making installations more expensive. "You need those charges to be a bit smarter," Mulqueen said. "They need to be networked so that you can pull that information and see who's using those kilowatt-hours, which adds a bit of cost because the charger itself is typically more expensive in a multi-family situation." Depending on the number of chargers, size of the transformers and panels, charging stations in condos can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 per level two charger, Mulqueen said. But he adds charging infrastructure in condo buildings is the future. "Most charging is going to happen at home," he said. "People are making purchasing decisions around a range of anxieties because they're worried about being caught in public without a charger for a long trip." For Hara, the fight to get chargers installed in her condo building is still on, but stands by her decision to buy an electric car. "I have no regret," Hara said. "I'm doing something kinder for the earth. That's my belief and that's the least I can do." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2023. Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version misstated the number of years of Mark Marmer's experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boestar Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 On 12/16/2023 at 12:07 PM, Seeker said: As I understand it (don't have enough interest to research it) is that the problem is not how prevalent EV fires are but how incredibly hard they are to extinguish when they do happen. And, of course, while trying to extinguish them the fire is far more likely to spread and cause damage around it. Also, gasoline vehicles rarely catch on fire when unattended and not in operation such as when parked in your attached garage overnight while sitting in the garage recharging in the middle of the night the EV is in it's high-threat window (again, as I understand it). Battery fires are contained not extinguished. You prevent spread and cool the battery until it finally exhausts its fuel. that can take as much as 6 hours or even more. Interestingly a Motorcycle fire is treated as a Bomb. The fire department will not fight a motorcycle fire. they stand back until it explodes. Certain types of car fire a treated similarly. In my neighbourhood there have been 3 fires in the last 10 years of a vehicle while parked and unattended. Cause deemed to be electrical all 3 times. All were Internal combustion cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 Electric vehicle owners struggle to find charging stations | CBC.ca Canadians are buying electric vehicles in record numbers, but there are concerns that infrastructure is not keeping up with demand. Some EV owners say they're finding that many buildings aren't properly equipped with charging stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boestar Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 13 hours ago, Malcolm said: Electric vehicle owners struggle to find charging stations | CBC.ca Canadians are buying electric vehicles in record numbers, but there are concerns that infrastructure is not keeping up with demand. Some EV owners say they're finding that many buildings aren't properly equipped with charging stations. really? Who knew? Infrastructure? Nah we don't need that. everyone has electricity. An all electric future will never happen no matter what the tallking heads say. We do not have the power grid to support it. We can barley support a 30 degree day in YYZ now. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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