Attracted to electric

Move aside gasoline-powered internal combustion engines! Hello to the smooth sound of electric cars.

I’ve read so much in the media these days of the electric car – and not just musings and whispers of incredible people doing incredible things.

With Volvo moving to the electric and hybrid vehicles, France ending gas and diesel car purchases by 2040 and Tesla working on the USD$35,000 electric vehicle, we are taking significant steps on the road to an electric car future.

It’s a road we have to travel down. We will reduce pollution, reduce emissions and create an economy less dependent on the price of oil.

I applaud Wellington County for having taken the first step in growing the charging station network in Ontario.

Now, after the initial three-month trial period, the county will charge $12 per hour, pro-rated by the minute, plus a flat fee of $2.50 per session.

Those prices should be attractive to anyone on the verge of purchasing an electric vehicle.

It’s definitely less than my $40 per fill up.

It will help increase tourism from the cities as people stop along our connecting links and it shows the county’s efforts to think ahead.

It should be smooth sailing. There will be bumps in the road, but hopefully, by the time I purchase my next vehicle, more affordable options will be available.

– Olivia

VS.

Not ready for electric

Wellington County has a new accessory and as of July 1, users will be on the hook for payment.

That’s right, electric vehicle charging stations are officially in use – gone are the whimsical trial days of free charging.

Yes, electric vehicles will likely be the future, a movement I full support.

However, the technology, infrastructure and certainty just isn’t there yet for me to fully embrace vehicle.

Sure the county has three electric charging stations but the news release announcing them boasted an 80% charge in a mere 20 to 30 minutes … wait … what?

Electric cars are going to need to do better than that.

Twenty to 30 minutes seems extreme.

I can go to the gas station, fill up my car and be home in a third of that time.

Some electric cars are said to hold a charge for 322km at the most.

Sure that may work for city driving but consider an average highway driving speed of 100km/h – even advanced electric cars will need a charge around the three-hour mark.

You’ll be left to sit around for another half hour while your car charges to 80%. Only to repeat the whole process in another three hours.

Like I said, I believe electric cars may be the way of the future but major leaps are needed before I agree to jump on that train.

– Jaime