British Columbia’s EV tipping point may be closer than you think. When you factor in the cost of gasoline, the average electric vehicle is already substantially less expensive that a gas car. Level three charging stations, capable of delivering an 80% charge in 30 minutes, are creeping up the east coast of Vancouver Island, BC. There are now seven stations along the coastal route between Sidney and Campbell River and sixteen in the Greater Victoria area. (In addition, there is a Tesla Fast charging station in Nanaimo and another planned for Campbell River.) Now even people in remote locations like Cortes Island are going electric. On Saturday, April 12, three of the island’s six (and counting) E-car owners explained why electric is better — even on a remote island.
Last April, some EV owners on Cortes Island held an “EVFaire” at Manson’s Hall; they brought their vehicles to show and discuss, and giving test rides to some attendees. Coverage of this event focussed on the big shiny cars; but there are actually more e-bikes than e-cars on Cortes Island, and I felt the bikes didn’t get enough page space.
I therefore asked e-bike owners to contact me if they would like to be interviewed, so I could profile them and their bikes. The first three respondents all had quite different bikes, so this article has three sections, one for each bike:
The first step was taken in November 2018, when BC Transit approved a Low Carbon Fleet Program that will phase out over 1200 existing buses over the next decade. While some of their replacements will use compressed natural gas (CNG), this is only a short term measure. BC Transit is going electric.
On show at Mansons Landing’s April 12th “EV mini-faire” were not only full size E-cars, but several exciting E-bike options. Owners confirm that modern battery technology is delivering E-bikes that can handle the hilly roads and rough pavement of Cortes Island.
Sue Moen is not willing to accept the status quo. She has a passion for change, for progress, for a re-balancing of society and society with nature. In the attached podcasts, the Green candidate for North Island explains what her party wants for BC & why it must be now.
