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Public/Private Partnerships Would Increase Charging Station Numbers
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 May 6, 2012 - VEVA supports the City/Telus initiative to install charge stations co-located with cell antennas because they both require new power to be installed. One of the biggest obstacles to EV adoption is the cost of installing infrastructure. Infrastructure requires upgrades to BC Hydro transformers, power conduit and wire to charge station locations, and finally charge stations. These can be very expensive. Having commercial interests share the costs allows for more charge stations.
View CTV News video
Answer 10-second Questionnaire (more ...)
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Charge Stations Pop Up Like Mushrooms in 2012
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| Apr 30, 2012 - The Royal Bay Bakery has just today put online a solar-assisted 240v J1772 charger at 3337 Metchosin Road in Colwood, just across the bay from Victoria. They're on the map at Plugshare.com. The map shows charging station distribution in Metro Vancouver and Canada/US as of April 2012.
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VEVA Releases the EV Infrastructure Costing Worksheet
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| Mar 11, 2012 - Build the Infrastructure in your home now and your EV will come soon. Our EV Infrastructure Costing worksheet is intended as an example of how to use the major cost drivers that affect the cost of putting Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in a residence to determine a rough estimate of cost for an individual installation or an average installation cost in a community. It can be used to help decide on your choice of Level 1 or Level 2 charging. It can also be used to determine the cost for a community and how that might play into the need for government support. To use the worksheet choose the rows that apply to you, refine the example estimates after discussion with an electrician and shopping for an EV Charging Supply product to install in your garage. As you get estimates for your home, please share them with the author (Don Chandler) to better refine the examples. Click the link for the worksheet ... (more ...)
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BC Government Supports EVs - Some Juicy Facts
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Nov 5, 2011 - The BC Government CEV program announced today has $16M set aside for 1,000 charging points for the Province, including 30 "Green Corridor" fast charging stations, 570 Level 2 public stations ($4,500 grants are available to business owners, local governments and institutions) and 400 stations for Single Family Homes, and MURBs equally split between new and retrofits. (ie. 100 for new SFH, 100 retro-fits, etc.)
$2.53M for the 570 Level 2 public stations will become available starting May 2012 when the Community Charging Infrastructure Fund program launches.
Get your EV today and you should be able to commute daily and even drive to Alberta for next to nothing by 2014!
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Sparky the Electric Boat Launched
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| Dec 18, 2011 - VEVA member Dave Elderton today launched Sparky the electric boat for her first run up to Buntzen Bay on Indian Arm, Northeast of Vancouver. Based on a Hobie Cat 16x8 ft platform, with a electrified outboard motor and 5 kWh in GBS batteries, it has a safe cruising range of 15 miles at 7.5 knots at a fill-up cost of less than 50 cents. It will be used as a fairweather commuter to Deep Cove, a trip of 6 miles. See video. (more ...)
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VEVA EV Sold
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| Sep 8, 2011 - VEVA's own EV, Buttercup is now sold. In light of the tar sands subsidies we are paying for gas it's probably a good idea to check out the other local EVs for sale - just select Local for Sale on menu item Buy-Sell above.
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Third Charging Station Installed on Mayne Island
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| Mar 21, 2011 - The third double electric vehicle charging station has been installed on Mayne Island at the Fernhill Centre, this adds to the double charging station at the Agricultural Hall in Miners Bay and the single charging station at the Mayne Island Home Hardware. Mayne Island, situated in the Straight of Georgia midway between Vancouver and Victoria, has 3 IT cars, one Mighty-E- Truck and one S10 conversion.
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Come to the Monthly VEVA Meeting
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 The next official meeting is Wed June 20 at the BCIT Electrical building SE1 cafeteria at 7:30pm (map).
AGENDA: John Stonier will demo his Porsche conversion in a sequel to his presentation two months back.
May 16 - No talk, just a planning session for ElectraFest Jun 9.PAST MEETINGS
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Battery Chemistries Compared
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 Battery Chemistries have been announced that promise 400 watt-hours per kg and at half the cost. Maybe we shouldn't hold our breath and be content with the 100-150 watt-hours per kg energy density that we are getting with our lithium batteries today.
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Events Calendar
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Our Community EVents
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Tue May 22 (5-7pm)
Sun Country Highway Charging Event
Location: Burnaby, BCIT NE18 (North-East quadrant)
Sponsor: Sun Country Highway
Contact: Kelly Carmichael
Kent Rathwell from Sun Country Highway will be in town on Tuesday to allow EV enthusiasts to come checkout the VIA motors 4x4 Electric Trucks.
He will also have his Tesla Roadster at the event. The event is scheduled for Tuesday May 22, 2012 5PM - 7PM at BCIT Burnaby Campus Building NE18. Sun Country Highway is a private initiative to provide charging points along Canada's highways.
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Sat Jun 2 (all day)
West Vancouver Centennial Day
Location: West Vancouver, Waterfront West of Ambleside Park
Sponsor: District of West Vancouver
[Link]
Contact: Bruce Stout
at 604-929-6782
On SATURDAY June 2nd, 2012 the Municipality of West Vancouver will present a Celebration of 100 years of West Vancouver. This event takes place at several locations in the community and should attract thousands of visitors. On Argyle street between 13th 1nd 14th Avenue there will be a display of approximately 100 vintage and antique vehicles. This represents 100 years of vehicle transportation in the community.
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Sat Jun 9 (10AM to 3PM)
Electrafest
Location: Vancouver, Concord Pacific Place
Sponsor: VEVA
[Link]
Come see, touch, feel, and not smell the best show of EVs in North America. FREE ADMISSION.
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Wed Jun 13 to Sun Jun 17 '12 (Wed-Fri 10-9, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6)
Tesla Model S Beta Prototype Tour
Location: Vancouver, Pacific Centre, Guest Services/ Bell Kiosk, 701 W Georgia
Sponsor: Tesla Motors
[Link]
Model S is the world's first premium electric sedan.
Designed from the ground up as an electric car, Model S provides an unprecedented driving range of up to 300 miles and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds without burning a drop of gasoline.
Built around the driver, Model S features a 17" touchscreen and seating for up to seven.
The Beta version is a 90% production intent prototype of the Model S.
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Sat Jul 14 to Sun Jul 15 '12 (10AM to 4PM)
Stave Lake Powerhouse Visitors Centre - Christmas in July
Location: Mission, Stave Lake Powerhouse Visitors Centre, 31338 Dewdney Trunk Rd.
Sponsor: BC Hydro
[Link]
Come see where the Detroit lives. Please bring a food donation to get in for FREE.
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Sat Aug 11 (10-4 pm)
Stave Lake Powerhouse 100th Birthday
Location: Mission, Stave Lake Powerhouse Visitors Centre, 31338 Dewdney Trunk Rd.
Sponsor: BC Hydro
[Link]
Come see where the Detroit lives and get some free birthday cake. Free admission that day.
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Other Event Links ...
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LIVE NEWS  via EVWORLD.COM
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Electric Car Drivers Really Are Different in LA
17 May 2012
Ecotality study finds LA electric car drivers driver further, use public chargers more often, and charge more at off-peak nighttime rates. more ...
Hawaii Leads US In Electric Car Purchases
17 May 2012
Out of 35,531 vehicles sold last year in Hawaii, 422 are EVs, or 1.2%; by contrast, on a national level, EV sales were 0.1% stateside. more ...
Ford Starts Taking Pre-Orders on C-Max Hybrid
17 May 2012
The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be available this fall with a base price of $25,995. more ...
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EV FAQt
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An electric car uses about 60 cents in electricity every 40 kilometres. Figuring in the batteries also, the cost is more like $2.40, about the same as the fuel bill for a Smart car. However, there is no engine maintenance - no oil changes, timing belt, plugs, cooling system, pollution equipment, exhaust, fuel system, gas tank, engine replacement - all those things that break the bank and make your car worthless after awhile.
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A 1912 Production Electric Car
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Shown above is VEVA's 1912 Detroit Electric.
This car was owned by Mrs. Florence French of Victoria, BC from 1912
till the 1950s. It was driven regularly until the mid-1950s.
Electric cars were popular with the ladies due to the ease of starting,
quietness and smoke-free cleanliness. The original Nickel-Iron batteries
were replaced in the late 1990s because the cases were deteriorated - but
they still worked fine!
View a photo of the Detroit at home in the
Stave Falls BC Hydro powerhouse museum, also built in 1912! It's near Mission, BC at
31338 Dewdney Trunk Road. Call ahead at 604-462-1222 for hours.
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A 2012 Production Electric Car
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As of 2012, 100 years after the Detroit Electric rolled off the assembly line,
The Nissan LEAF electric car is now in production in Japan. As of 2012, it is
the world's best selling electric car. The LEAF has a real-world range
of 100-160 km, depending on road conditions and driving style. With charging
stations being installed at a great rate starting in 2012, including some planned
Level 3 chargers which provide an adequate charge from empty in less then an hour,
this is the pure electric with the most promise for the masses.
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Download a Bumper Sticker!
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Largest Electric Vehicle Trial in Canada
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| Jan 4, 2012 - Hydro-Québec has announced that 10 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs were delivered this morning to Boucherville businesses selected for the third and final phase of the largest electric vehicle (EV) trial in Canada. The project, which was launched in 2010, will continue until the end of 2013. (more ...)
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The Electric Car Branding Trick Even Nissan's Leaf Is Missing
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| Sep 28, 2011 - Huffington Post - When I walked into the garage of my uber-practical friend Jane (not her real name) and saw a brand new Nissan Leaf, I was completely shocked. Her former car was a 4-year-old Lexus. The Leaf seemed to be a step down, both in size and luxury. She supports conservation but not when it interferes with her lifestyle. She spends many weekends at a place 60 miles away, so her 100-mile range wouldn't cover the round trip. This just didn't make sense.When I gave her a doubting look, Jane said "Just drive it." (more ...)
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The Volt is the Best Fit for North America
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| Jun 26, 2011 - NYTimes - A review of the Chevy Volt and why it will be the most significant car of this decade in America. (more ...)
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Manitoba’s Electric Vehicle Roadmap
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| Apr 26, 2011 - Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger today announced the province will invest $1 million for the development of an all-electric transit bus and charging system, and $100,000 for the creation of an electric-vehicle learning and demonstration centre at Red River College, two of several initiatives under Manitoba’s Electric Vehicle Road Map.See roadmap. (more ...)
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GM Introduces the Personal Urban Car at CES2011
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| Jan 8, 2011 - At CES2011 GM showed the EN-V urban car concept that can spin 360 within its own footprint on two wheels. Obviously not for the North American market. See video (more ...)
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Homegrown EVs turn heads at Toronto show
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| Oct 24, 2010 - wheels.ca - The Toronto-based Electric Vehicle Society’s first annual autumn show was held at a Toyota-Lexus dealership near the corner of Eglinton Ave. and Leslie St. The show featured Jan Szott's two-seat sports car, the Kirk-Lambert Porsche 944, Ken Roach's Ford Escort, University of Ontario Institute of Technology's blue Saturn Vue, a classic Honda Insight and Steve Dallas' Project EVE rolling concept. (more ...)
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24 EVs You Might Want to Buy
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| Aug 11, 2010 - After decades of complacency, the world of auto manufacturing is finally starting to evolve. The days of gas-guzzling SUVs and unacceptable fuel economy standards are coming to an end. Here are 24 consumer EVs that are either in production now or about to start within a year or so. (more ...)
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