E-vehicles in rural locales – is the time really now?

Jeff Green | Apr 25, 2018

A lot of people love their cars, for the feel of the drive, the power, the hauling potential, and their look. And knowing what people want their car to make them feel and then selling it back to them is the engine that has driven car sales for at least the last 70 years. David Hahn and Marion Watkins are just as enthusiastic about their new E-Golf Electric Vehicle (EV) as any other car enthusiast, and as early adopters of solar power (they have one of the first microfit solar arrays that was sold in Eastern Ontario) and David is the President of the Wintergreen Renewable Energy Co-op, a group of investors from the region who have financed some local solar projects and are committed to local control and opportunity in a sector that has been targeted for investment by multinational corporations. Living on Canoe Lake Road in a rural setting, you would think they would not be likely to want and electric vehicle because of the limited range. But they made the commitment a year ago to purchase a Volkswagon E-Golf nonetheless, and took delivery in February. They haven’t regretted it. “What we have found is that it is a perfect vehicle for us,” said David, “we paid $36,000 but with the provincial rebate the price dropped to $22,000, and the savings in fuel and maintenance will make it a much cheaper car to run that any gas vehicle we could have purchased. And we have no problem with the range.” In fact, they are able to drive to Kingston and back without charging up, and if they travel to Ottawa they can use the charging station at Mountain Equipment Co-op, or at one of a number of other charging stations in Ottawa. And for trips to Westport, Sydenham or Verona or to friends places in the countryside, the 250 kilometre range of the E-Golf is more than sufficient. “And with so few moving parts, maintenance on them is minimal,” said Marion. “I think these vehicles are ideal for rural people that drive the way we do,” David added, “we get more of a benefit from not buying gas because we drive further distances than people in the city do and will save more money. Besides they can use bicycles, public transit, but we still need vehicles to get around.” Electric vehicles will be the subject of the 8th annual Green Energy Retreat being put on by the renewable energy co-op on May 12 at the Wintergreen Retreat. The event is called “The Time is Now” and will feature seminars on practical matters related to the vehicles, as well the financial and environmental realities of driving them. And there will be some of the most popular E-vehicles on site, including a Nissan Leaf, a Chevy Bolt and the E-Golf. For more information on the day, which runs from 9:30am until 3pm, and costs $20 (the cost of the lunch that is provided) go to wintergreencoop.com, where you can see the agenda and click through for registration.