Discussions

I filled up in Dunseith the other day. Maybe in 2 or 3 weeks when I need gas again things will have settled down.  
 
Can't do anything about it anyway.

Coop on 18th St N as of about 15 min ago had joined the $112.9 club. Across the street was still showing sub-$1.00. Wherever it settles I’d say writing’s on the wall... Provincial average is $1.07!

Out in Alberta and price is 1.19. Of course the gas companies have to start prepping us for summer gas prices.

Gas Buddy showing that 3 stations still holding out at under $1 this am... Mobil at Superstore, 34th and Vic 7-11 and Coop on 6th

Up to 126.9 at some stations in Winnipeg according to GasBuddy

electric vehicles were more on par in capabilities with current internal combustion vehicles then I wouldn't care what the price of gas is. But right now, gas companies know they can charge anything and we will pay for it since we have no alternative. When the technology to fully recharge a vehicle in the same span as it does to refuel one will be a big leap forward. And at the same time be comparable in load capacity and range.  
 
Then once there is competition to gas companies from another source, you will see the price fall.  
 
Gas prices are getting into the territory of when oil was $120 or more. But when the market fell to the $40 mark, new excuses came out. Now suddenly it's not as closely linked to oil prices, but only when the oil price falls. When the oil price rises, it becomes linked, go figure.

interesting how that $1.12 doesn't look so bad now, would gladly pay that over now.

Look at Tesla's model 3 capabilities with range, recharge times with the new supercharger 3.  
 
What do you think of those numbers? how much better should it get before it becomes convenient enough in your mind?  
 
I do realize there are no superchargers in Brandon, but my prediction is they will get one in the next 2 years based on Brandon's location on the Trans Canada. I think Tesla will move fairly quickly to make coast to coast travel on the Trans-Canada a reality using their superchargers. People with a garage would likely never use a supercharger unless on long trips. they could always have it charged up from parking overnight.  
 
I also realize that every other company is behind tesla with range, charge times and capabilities. but if every company had the charge times and range tesla model 3 has, would that be enough? If not what numbers would be enough? (ignore the lack of charging stations for this question)

I I have to pay 40,000+ for a vehicle it will have to.be an F150. Otherwise I will keep my car. If driving a Focus or another make of similar size and mileage becomes too expensive gas wise then they better come up with something cheaper than 40 grand to buy. A good many people cannot afford that kind of money.  
 
Now-i have to do my taxes-where do I apply for my carbon tax credit? Which form do I look for??

is schedule 14. People living outside of Wpg get a 10% extra credit so claim that - also on schedule 14.

500km at -20°C and under 15 minutes at a Supercharger.

We were supposed to be up for one at Corral Centre after Portage’s was setup:  
https://www.portageonline.com/local/portage-getting-electric-car-charging-stations-this-summer

Getting pretty close to that with the model Y.  
advertised at 482 km (maybe not in -20)  
charge times with V3 superchargers for model 3 and Y at about 30 minutes for a full charge.  
Most charges likely less because nobody fully drains battery and most only charge to 80% for best practice.  
 
Give it another year or 2, their cars may very well pass your benchmark.

Electric vehicles become for mainstream and the capabilities closely match IC vehicles, the prices will drop. Right now technology is evolving rapidly so it's tough to mass produce to where the costs drop.  
 
Right now, there's also a strong allegiance to fossil fuels to power everything and must protect the oil companies. A lot of fear mongering over alternative green power sources. The usual you need oil to manufacture the electric vehicle, or build power electric power plants still requires oil. The usual taking points to disparage alternative power use. Like the new one of wind turbines causing cancer.

 
 
Edited by prairieboi, 2019-04-06 10:31:23

Quick google search says at highway speed the Model 3 does at best 339km range.  
 
A study by AAA found that on average when the temp dropped to 20 degree Fahrenheit (which is only -6 Celsius) range of 5 different EVs dropped by an average of 41%, and can drop as low as 50% when below -17 Celsius.  
 
Currently I can get to Calgary in under 11 hours, under 10 if I step on it, regardless of season. Even in the summer, that trip in a Tesla isn't feasible. In the winter, it won't make Regina. That would have to be doable as well for me to consider an EV.

I wish there was a rebate for Electric in MB like there is in some locations https://emc-mec.ca/ev-101/ev-incentives/  
I think for families who have two vehicles (his and hers) it may work easier. I was considering getting one electric for the daily commute to work (50km each way) - charge at home charge at work back and forth every day.. for the longer commutes, to say Regina or Calgary - take the wife's vehicle. Pending of course the luxury of a two vehicle family. (the wife's daily commute is only 10km) - even if your second vehicle is a truck it would probably still save $$ to take it on the long runs if you can run electric on all the normal day-to-day stuff close to home. (not sure on hydro costs at home to charge though)

this is where EV's loose out to ICE vehicles right now. City or local travel they are great, but long distance, not so much. Your not going to do a long distance trip in the same amount of time.  
 
Now with ICE vehicles, drive 600km, refuel in 10 min (including a washroom and snack break) and go another 600km. With EV's, go 300km, recharge in 30 min and go another 300km, recharge another 30 min. And now you have to make sure there are recharging stations on your route.  
 
One day the technology should be to the point where the 2 types are equal. Get a 600km charge in 5 min.

There is this guy in Norway, his alias on YouTube is TeslaBjorn . He is driving all across Norway, Sweden and Finland, 800-1000 km a day. He traveled from Norway, across Denmark to Germany and back with his EV. Right now he is driving (on Live stream) back home from Finland making about 70km / 1hr. That average i:ncludes his charge time. Considering he pays in between $10-$15 every charge per 300km (depending on depletion of his battery) that is cheap travel. Also Tesla has some perks, like Autopilot, which make travel more relaxing. Btw, it's whisper quiet. You don't get that with your Diesel Truck.  
Long distance driving is possible, once the charging network is available. Only a few compromises need to be made, like limited use of the HVAC system, charging time and planning a little ahead of where the chargers are. Maybe planning a little bit more time for the travel. Many people who already bought an EV or planning to buy one, including me, could easily live with that.  
Admittedly, they are not for everybody yet.  
 
Edited by DadOf2, 2019-04-07 15:34:58