By Ros Sherrard We are in love with our 100 per cent electric vehicle. No more gas, mufflers, antifreeze, fan belts, oil and filters to change. No carbon footprint.
In February, after driving a family member’s car, we decided to go electric. One of my partner Claude’s sons found a dealer in Oregon selling used electric vehicles so we imported one into Canada. The same son bought one too. Importing was not an arduous task, it just took patience and paying the various fees along the way, a four-day wait at the US border for all the paperwork to get processed and into Canada they came.
Having driven it for four months we still love it, and delight in the ability to jump in it and go for a drive without thought of the gas being consumed. Driving it feels as though you are driving a high-end model sedan. The battery lies under the floor so the centre of gravity is low. It handles well, the torque is amazing. The response is immediate with no gears to change. The car has all the bells and whistles that come with late model cars these days; it is well-appointed with a navigation system, Blue Tooth, a hands-free phone system. To ensure comfort, the climate control system keeps the cabin temperature very comfortable in any season. The car has a separate 12-volt battery which provides power to the audio system, wipers, lights and other low-voltage systems such as a phone charger.
On a regular 110-volt plug it takes eight hours to charge to 100 per cent, however the battery should only be charged to 80 percent to prolong battery life. On a 220-volt plug it takes four hours to charge. When charged to 100 per cent the driving range is 150 kilometres; at 80 per cent, it is 110 to 120 kilometres. This is variable depending on how you drive. The great thing is that when going downhill the battery charges, putting more distance on the clock. I often get to work with a gain of 10 kilometres. We charge the car when we have 30 to 40 kilometres left on the battery, so every other day or two or three.
The cost of a charge is just pennies a day. We have not noticed any increase in our hydro bill since we have gone electric.
An electric car makes sense for Powell River. There are no long trips to be made so for running in and out and around town with a range of 110 kilometres there is no question—it is good economy.
Should BC Ferries install chargers on its fleet, driving out of town would be feasible. For now the corporation has no plans to do that. With Apps available on iPhones it is very easy to find chargers when planning your out-of-town route, however, it would take longer to reach your destination. But then again, the world needs to slow down a bit. For now it is our around town car and we love it.
Ros Sherrard is a resident of Paradise Valley where she lives on a farm with her partner Claude Marquis. They have gone green with their electric vehicle.
