As fuel prices soar, EV advocates say now's the time to consider electric
CBC
As costs for transportation fuel continue to rise, owners of electric vehicles (EVs) say now is the time to consider ditching gas-powered vehicles for good.
On Friday, the province's Public Utilities Board posted record-high prices for gasoline and diesel, among other fuels.
Currently, the price-per-litre for regular unleaded self-serve is above $1.90 across the island In Ramea, Churchill Falls and Change Islands, that price topped $2.
But despite being insulated from rising costs for transportation fuel, EV advocate and co-founder of Drive Electric NL Jon Seary says now is not a time to gloat: "It is a time to step back and make some serious plans," he said.
Joe Butler, who co-founded Drive Electric NL with Seary, says cost stability is one of the main reasons he's sworn by EVs for the past six years.
"I can predict roughly what my fuel will be," he said. "And currently it's probably one fifth or one sixth of the cost if I had gasoline for the equivalent car."
Butler said while the sticker price may be higher for EVs, cheaper options exist: Each of the three he's driven, including his current Tesla Model 3, were all purchased second-hand.
"Look at your car payments and your fuel bills together," Butler said. "The car payments are a little higher, but your fuel cost is so much lower. Their overall cost per month is lower."
Butler said while rates will likely go up as Muskrat Falls comes online, a less volatile fuel source, lower operating costs and monetary incentives from provincial and federal governments make going electric a no-brainer.
From long-distance trips to pulling trailers, Seary has done it all with his EV.
For him, the benefits of EVs are as much environmental as economical, and the drawbacks are non-existant.
"[EVs] use an energy product that we produce right here and avoid importing a fossil fuel into the province and watching that money go out of the province," he said.
While he'd choose an EV any day, Seary said moving away from gas-powered cars doesn't mean the province has to ditch the oil and gas industry completely.
"I don't see the adoption of electric vehicles having to compete against the validity of the oil and gas industry," he said.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.