Project Gives Electric Vehicles a Boost

Electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly merging into the commercial market as a result of more stringent clean-air measures in major cities around the world. Still rare at best in Canada, a recent project is proving that—even in the battery-draining depths of winter—EVs are a cost-effective alternative for fleets operating in an urban environment.

The Montréal 2000 Electric Vehicle Project, which began in January 1999, is the first effort of its kind in Canada to test the performance of commercially available EVs by incorporating them into intercity commercial and institutional fleets — an application ideally suited to vehicles that can currently travel a maximum of 80-130 kilometres before they require recharging.

The more extensive use of EVs for such purposes would also drastically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, over 40 per cent of which are produced by road traffic in Quebec. Since electric vehicles produce no emissions, switching from an internal combustion engine to a battery-operated one would cut CO₂ emissions by over 3.8 tonnes per vehicle per year. EVs are also 85-per-cent energy-efficient, while gas-powered vehicles are only 30-per-cent. That makes them up to four times cheaper to operate—a factor that helps offset the fact that they cost two-and-a-half times as much to buy.

Ten partners from the federal, provincial and municipal governments and the private sector—including Environment Canada, National Defence, Transport Canada, Canada Post Corporation, the Government of Quebec, Bell Canada, Hydro-Québec, Les Services électriques Blanchette, the City of Montréal and the Centre d'expérimentation des véhicules électriques du Québec (City of Saint-Jérôme) are testing 23 EVs under the program. These range from the compact Ford Ranger pick-up truck to the Solectria Force sedan and two-seater Ford Think City, as well as two modified delivery trucks.

The $3-million project is taking place in the Greater Montréal area, where two EV car dealers are present and a network of 25 public and private recharging stations has been created. Quebec is considered a prime market for EVs because it is Canada's second-largest light-vehicle market. Of the more than 3.5 million cars and light trucks on the road in the province, over 11 per cent are used in institutional and commercial fleets. Hydro-electricity is Quebec's major energy resource, so it also boasts the highest difference in North America between the costs of electricity and petroleum (1:5), making EVs even more attractive to fleet managers considering a conversion.

The theory is that if EVs can perform in hot, humid summers and bone-chilling winters in Montréal, they should be able to perform in just about any climate. To determine how well they fare, two evaluations are being carried out: one uses data from onboard sensors and user logs to assess technical performance, the other interviews and surveys with drivers, fleet managers and maintenance people to gauge satisfaction, perception and reaction to EVs.

Environment Canada reported on findings for the first year of project at the 17th Electric Vehicle Symposium in Montréal in October. Data obtained show that EV usage increases with availability and that, despite some interruptions caused by parts recalls in the United States, the vehicles meet performance requirements.

Seasonal data confirmed that temperature and climatic conditions play an important role in performance—with accessories, such as the heating system, consuming 25 per cent of available energy at temperatures below -10°C. Although this shortens the distance EVs can travel in cold conditions, new lithium-metal-polymer batteries that have twice the range of current lead-acid and nickel-metal-hydride batteries will become commercially available in 2004. The lithium batteries also last more than 10 years.

Participants are hopeful that the results of the project, which is slated to wrap up at the end of March, will help to allay concerns about the new technology. All have expressed interest in taking part in subsequent phases of the project, and Renault has agreed to have its Kangoo Van included in future testing.

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