July 2021

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

Happy July! The Canadian government announced this week an increased commitment to electric vehicles, changing its voluntary 2040 goal to have all light duty vehicles sold in Canada be zero emissions to a mandatory rule to do it by 2035. Considering other recently announced expansions of quick charging infrastructure by the federal government, as well as a massive $1.5 billion investment in its Clean Fuels Fund (largely for fuel cell projects) announced in June, the landscape for electric vehicles of many types across the country looks brighter than ever – if sadly, still concentrated well into the future. With news of more near-term increased EV consumer and industrial measures on government timetables in the U.S., the Canadian government will hopefully provide more details soon of what is planned on this side of the border. Current measures and EV charging infrastructure plans haven’t driven ZEV adoption nearly as much as they have hoped in the 10 years since affordable EVs have been available in this country.

From a local standpoint, with summer here and vaccination rates rising quickly across Canada, we’re starting to see some outdoor auto gatherings happening again, EV and otherwise. Health guidelines vary across the country, so keep an eye on your local EVS group’s socials for details of any plans near you, in person or online. And wherever you are, be safe, and enjoy!

Michael Bettencourt, EV Newsletter Managing Editor

Episode #14 - Sandy Munro - The State of EVs and Solid State Batteries, What Canadians Should Know

July 6th, 2021 - 7:30pm EDT

Our guest this month is Sandy Munro, Owner and CEO of Munro and Associates, Inc.

In this talk, Sandy will cover several subjects including: What should Canadians or other northern dwellers know about the evolving performance of EVs, trends we have seen in the industry from tearing down the Tesla Model Y and other vehicles, battery and storage technology, including near term technology such as Tesla 4680 battery to QuantumScape and Blue Solution’s solid state batteries. Sandy will also speak about his background as a Canadian and some of the coming technologies he has seen from Canada.

EV SOCIETY NEWS

EVS President and Pickup Owner on CBC for F-150 Lightning debut

EV Society president Wilf Steimle was prominently featured on the CBC's The National piece on the debut of the Ford F-150 Lighting, as well as in its accompanying article on the CBC News site.

CBC News -- Ford Motor Co. unveiled an all-electric version of the best-selling F-150 on Wednesday, one that's capable of driving from Edmonton to Calgary on a single charge, and with enough juice to act as a backup generator to power the typical Canadian house for up to three days.

Ford showed off a prototype of the F-150 Lightning at its headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., on Wednesday evening. U.S. President Joe Biden was on hand to take it for a spin, quipping "this sucker's quick" to assembled press when he floored it on a test drive.

The F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in Canada for 11 years in a row, and while the existing model has an option for a gasoline-electric hybrid, the new version is Ford's first all-electric pickup truck.

EV INDUSTRY NEWS

Canada confirms earlier - and mandatory - ZEV target

Here is the official government of Canada release on their strengthened - and earlier - 2035 ZEV commitment.

To build a cleaner, more prosperous economy that fights climate change and creates good jobs, the Government of Canada is taking action to cut pollution from all sectors of the economy – including from the transportation sector, which accounts for one-quarter of our greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced that the Government of Canada is setting a mandatory target for all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks sales to be zero-emission by 2035, accelerating Canada’s previous goal of 100 percent sales by 2040.

GM Canada offers free 240-volt charging in Canada

The incoming new 2022 Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV will offer something totally unique in Canada: the offer to pay for installation of 240-volt power in your garage or driveway. But this is not an offer for a free L2 EVSE: instead, the company says it will offer to pay for standard installation of 240-volt power and a NEMA 14-50 plug, which can then be used with the 32-amp Dual Level Charge Cord, which the company offers standard on the longer Bolt EUV, and as an option on the Bolt EV.

The installation can be done at home, or if preferred, at a secondary residence such as a cottage, through installation partner Qmerit. Alternately, buyers who already have an L2 EVSE or their current charging situation can opt for a $750 charging credit with FLO. Further details from GM Canada are at the link below, but after an interview with GM Canada executives, the standard installation won't cover items such as trenching, drywall cutting or upgrades to your electrical panel, but it will include all permitting and inspection costs.

Large semi-trucks in Canada hunting for a greener future

CBC News -- Large trucks brimming with freight make their way up and down the highway between Calgary and Edmonton at all hours of the day. They're part of a continental network of transport trucks carrying everything from blue jeans to steel beams.

Most of the big rigs travelling those highways run on diesel. But beginning next year, two of the trucks making that busy Alberta run will be powered by hydrogen — a pilot project that will test the technology against Canadian weather, distances and terrain.