Is an electric vehicle in a Manitoba winter a good idea? These EV drivers weigh in
Canada is setting new standards for electric vehicle availability and it's going to require more EVs. But are these vehicles up to the challenge of Winnipeg's cold winters?
James Hart is one Winnipegger who went the electric route. He said he wanted something fast and quiet when he got a new vehicle.
"That happened to be electric and that's why I went electric," said Hart, who is the president of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association.
He said he hasn't experienced too many problems with his vehicle or its battery, but does note one issue.
"So (the battery) does consume about 50 per cent more in this cold."
Consuming more battery power means more charging, and that's not always easy.
"Having that charger at home makes a big difference," said Adam Kozachuk, who also owns an electric vehicle.
He said he keeps his vehicle in an attached, insulated garage and for him, it's a big reason why the electric vehicle experience has been pain free.
"It never really gets colder than minus five in the garage. And I think that a lot of people who live in condos or apartment buildings could struggle a little more in getting access to chargers."
In the future, more access will likely be needed as the targets under the new national standards require 20 per cent of new car sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2026, 60 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.
"Most of the chargers are located Highway 1 and south. So we definitely need more to head up to Thompson," said Hart.
At the moment, it's unclear what impact more EVs would have on the energy grid.
A spokesperson for Manitoba Hydro told CTV News Winnipeg its initial analysis found capital improvements might be required.
For now, CAA has recommendations for EV drivers to improve their range. They include more conservative driving behaviours, such as avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking, and keeping the EV plugged in when not in use for long periods of time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.