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Are electric vehicles a viable option with Saskatchewan winters?

THE BATTERY IS UNRELIABLE

As with a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE), it does take more energy to run an EV in the colder months, although Keyser noted that the battery powering her Tesla Model S is much more reliable in winter than the battery needed to start an ICE vehicle.

Cruickshank added that the engine in his Chevrolet Bolt kicks in automatically to keep the battery warm. Another plus is the fact that the 12-volt starter battery will never die because it's constantly being charged — whether plugged in or not, he said.

“A lot of people compare these batteries to their cellphones. But those batteries are designed for different operating conditions — it's not designed for cooler temperatures; there is nothing in there to try to keep the battery warm or conditioned."

COLD REDUCES THE EV'S RANGE

Keyser admits her Model S doesn't make it quite as far in the winter months as it does in the summer — about 25 percent less, according to her observations — but ICE vehicles also consume more fuel when idling or powering heaters and other electronics. For her, it's simply a matter of shifting her thinking to how she can drive to better extend the battery's range.

When she has used her car on a long road trip, the charging stops gave her a chance to discover different communities where she would never have stopped otherwise, she added.

CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS LACKING

While there is some truth to this, Keyser said it's simply a downfall of being a pioneer of the continuously growing industry. Both Keyser and Cruickshank admit Saskatchewan is significantly behind the rest of Canada in this aspect.

“When motorized vehicles first came along, there weren't gas stations everywhere," Keyser noted.

Most EV owners don't use public charging stations for full charges, opting instead to plug into a regular wall outlet overnight or at work, Cruickshank said. As long as they aren't on a long trip, finding a public charger isn't required unless they want to top up their battery while out and about.  

CHARGING TAKES TOO LONG

When it's cold, no one wants to have to stop for hours to recharge a vehicle — But unless you are travelling a long distance, you generally don't tend to completely drain the battery.

Cruickshank said it can take about eight hours to fully charge his Bolt using a standard plug — fine for an overnight charge, but he admits it's not ideal when travelling long distances.

However, the technology is advancing quickly and more quick charge stations are popping up that can take a battery from zero to 80 percent in less than 45 minutes.

EV IS SIMILAR IN EFFICIENCY TO AN ICE VEHICLE

Even in Saskatchewan, where the majority of electricity comes from burning coal, EVs are about twice as efficient compared to their gas-burning counterparts.

Plugndrive.ca estimates every 20,000 kilometres Keyser drives her Model S in Saskatchewan costs roughly $570 and outputs 2,495 kg of carbon dioxide. Those numbers jump significantly, to $2,490 and 4,880 kg of carbon dioxide, when calculated for an ICE vehicle. 

Cruickshank's Bolt performs even better, costing only $490 and outputting only 2,160 kg of carbon dioxide. 

In provinces like Quebec and Manitoba, where electricity is mainly created at hydroelectric generating stations, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted drops to roughly 30 to40 kg for every 20,000 kilometres driven.

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The Trusted teamwork for the public, we do that by finding great local businesses, verifying they are as good as we have heard, and contracting them to uphold the 5 Trusted Guarantees. These 5 Trusted guarantees are the cornerstone of our business and the businesses we partner with, and if something does go wrong we hold the businesses to their obligations....that's what the Trusted Saskatoon businesses sign up for. That's why we promote them and why we believe they are the best businesses in the cities we serve. 

JANICE'S BUILD- the Trusted Rebuild

Last week we heard about Janice, a single Mum in Saskatoon that has not been lucky enough to deal with a  ' Trustworthy' business, in fact, she has dealt with the kind of company that we set Trusted Saskatoon up to protect people from.... let's share the first part of the story. 

Janice is a lovely woman who has been left in a house that was a home 5 months ago & now is a dangerous unfinished, building site. She is trying to keep on a brave face for her 10-year-old daughter but is sick with worry that the house won't survive the Winter cold that is on its way,  and wondering every day how she is going to manage to get back on her feet .......why? All because of an unscrupulous Saskatoon contractor that has been her worst nightmare! 

We heard her story last week through a friend of Sara's, the Trusted founder, and we were extremely moved by her plight, and wanted to do what we could to help...it's a great thing we know an amazing group of local Saskatoon businesses, who are invested in their community and who truly set the standard for integrity in the Saskatoon Business community!

We sent out an email at 9 pm that night, we had some responses back within the hour and by the end of the week, we have already had so many wonderful Trusted Saskatoon directory partners offer Janice their help...and  Trusted Regina partners!  

• Perfection Plumbing - All the plumbing
• kitchen backsplash, shower tiles, labour
•  A NEW CUSTOM KITCHEN
• Age Of Electric - ALL the electrics
• Sunview Windows & Doors - $250 towards the rebuild
• Kari Calder- Century 21 - $300 in Home Depot Gift Certs
• Hairstyle Inn's  - $300 Gift Certificate to HSI
• Made In The Shade Gift Certificate for MIS
• Trusted Regina Partners a NEW Roof and heated roof system! 
• Fresh Living - shopping help and design 
• Kitchen & Bath Classics  - Bathroom vanity unit
• PLus all  Painting services  

" Saskatoon has been amazing to me and my family, and I believe it's important to step up to help people in the community you live in. Janice's situation is not uncommon unfortunately, a thing like this happen every day to families and individuals in this city and this province, that's why I was motivated to start Trusted. I am just glad I am in a position, along with the Trusted partners to help her with this hand up back on her feet again. 
 
To start the ball rolling I will donate $1000 in TrustedSaskatoon.com  Gift Certificates for Janice to put towards this rebuild. She can use them at any of the partner businesses on the www.trustedsaskatoon.com directory.  I am not going to publicly name the contractor or his business...that is not my place, but after what I saw & heard today I believe strongly that the company  should have their A rating on the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan lowered to an F, and the insurance companies should take them off their preferred list of contractors"