Author Archives: lukefrugalev

As a homeowner in a detached house, installing solar, is a fairly straightforward project. Yes perhaps the whole three inspector thing is a bit much, but it is doable at a reasonable cost (quote an earlier blog). But a third of Canadians rent (source), with perhaps another sixth living in Condominiums (source). Try as theyContinue reading “Balcony solar”

As we get to the steamy months of the summer, why not find a hammock on a beach somewhere and enjoy a good book. No need to send that email, all you will get in return are out-of-office notices any-ways. While heavy, you will need an uplifting beverage, Don Gillmore’s book On Oil is veryContinue reading “Book review: On Oil by Don Gillmore”

As the financial crisis hit back in 2008, there was lots of carnage. Banks went bust, mostly owning to poor decision making on mortgage loans, some of which were badly underwater. But auto-loans suffered to, and with it, the auto-makers (source). The US and Canada spent sizeable sums to prop up the big three (mostlyContinue reading “The great auto-bailout at 18”

On a recent trip to the west coast, I needed to get from Victoria to Vancouver. I was surprised to learn that one of the cheaper way’s to get there was via sea-plane operator Harbour Air. Not to mention convenient, as I walked from my Victoria hotel, hopped on a sea-plane and walked from theContinue reading “Flying Harbour Air, will they go electric soon?”

Word broke earlier this year that a build your dreams (BYD) had developed a way to fast charge EVs in as little as 5 minutes. While undoubtedly an impressive feat of engineering, as an EV driver, I am not entirely convinced this is a good idea. Mostly because it forces a gas-station mentality on EVs,Continue reading “The 5 minute charging fallacy”

Back in the 2010s, Chinese policymakers saw an opportunity to build their automotive industry, why compete with established western brands on internal combustion, when you can leapfrog and build EVs. It is a brilliant move, many Silicon Valley strategists would be proud (source). But somewhere along the way, the Chinese build capacity to build 50Continue reading “The Chinese bloodbath”

Diesel used to be cheaper than gas, but nowadays its usually quite a bit more expensive. Lets discuss how the Diesel price gap has evolved over time, and why that might be. Briefly, much has changed since the refineries serving the Toronto area were built. Instead of being all about gasoline, Jet-fuel and Diesel nowContinue reading “The Diesel price gap”

By all accounts Chevy has crafted a fine EV in the Chevy Bolt. It is the small EV that feels much larger on the inside, the main bugbear (slow fast charging speeds), has been resolved, and the new Bolt charges at a fairly competitive 150 kW giving it a 10-80% charge time of 25-30 minutesContinue reading “Is the new Chevy Bolt a ghost Chinese EV?”

Do you have home-charging? A very common question when people are considering electric vehicles, if you do park in a garage say, or a carport that you happen to own, and installing a home charger is convenient, you absolutely should consider an EV. But in many ways, its the wrong question to start with, aContinue reading “Is an EV the best car for your lifestyle?”

Lately, much discussion has swirled around building oil pipelines and increasing oil production. Articles with large numbers and the “tag-line” build oil pipelines now, preferrably to Prince Rupert, BC seem to be abundant. All suggesting that more oil production will bring Jobs and Money a plenty. But is oil really the land of milk andContinue reading “The “Oil = Lots o jobs and Money” fallacy”