Author Archives: lukefrugalev

As we discussed in a prior post, an electric Chi Cheemaun might need about 4 MWh of electricity per crossing. Replenishing this at either end during a 30 minute turnaround would require an 8 MW ferry charger installed at either end. With a larger battery, we can dramatically slow down our charging speed to perhapsContinue reading “Charging an electric Chi Cheemaun”

Electrifying Ferries is quite the trend in Europe. On this side of the pond, the Maid of the Mist recently joined the fray (source). Lets look at the feasibility of electrifying the Chi Cheemaun a car ferry that operates between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island. As with electric cars, electrifying ferries holds the promise of environmentalContinue reading “Electrifying the Chi Cheemaun, how big a battery is required?”

Much ink, digital and otherwise, has been spilled lamenting the state of EV charging infrastructure. While its true, as EV’s go main stream, we will need faster and better DC quick charging infrastructure, there is much more to this. Slower Level 2 (L2) AC charging can be done just about anywhere. Think of all theContinue reading “How to charge anywhere”

There is the perception out there that charging infrastructure is just not there. Horror stories abound of people arriving on a road trip at a fast charger only to find it busy or broken. The true picture is much more localized. For example, you may only care about L3 DC fast chargers near Gravenhurst OntarioContinue reading “Surveying the EV charging infrastructure”

A magical place just north of Toronto, Manitoulin is easy accessed in my 2018 Nissan Leaf. While there is only one EV charger on the Island, lots of campgrounds offer 30 and even 50 A electrical outlets which allow you to make your own L2 charging station with the appropriate adapters. There is something toContinue reading “Manitoulin Island”

It turns out that the environmental impact (or at least the carbon footprint) of your EV is a strong function of when you charge it. Electricity comes from a variety of sources, here in Ontario Nuclear provides a significant portion, along with hydro and oil & gas. In terms of carbon emissions, oil & gasContinue reading “When should I charge my EV?”

Marketed as a “plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle”, the Mitsubishi Outlander aims to comfort those with concerns over charging infrastructure. As a hybrid, it certainly does gets excellent gas mileage, which gets even better if you plug it in to charge. It “usually” operates as an EV for in-town jaunts, switching to gas once you leave the highway. However,Continue reading “Driving the Mitsubishi Outlander”

Car’s are not the only source of carbon emissions in the transport category. Ferries, trains, aircraft, trucks etc. also generate CO2 emissions. It can make a lot of economic sense to electrify some of them, particularly if the route is short. I recently rode an “plug-in-hybrid” ferry, which operates entirely on electricity for its usualContinue reading “Big EV, the case for the Electric Ferry”

Recently I had to do a work trip to Ottawa from my home in Toronto. I had to lug a fair bit of gear, so I opted to drive my 2018 Nissan Leaf. Door to door time was 7 hours, a little longer than 4 hours and 30 minutes suggested by google. I find googleContinue reading “Toronto-Ottawa”

As gas prices increase, interest in electric car’s has increased. But it seems you can spend more on charging than gas (source). As always, in these click-bait times, the devil lies in the details, or more specifically in the math. So lets do some math and see how much I need to pay to driveContinue reading “Cost of fuel: Electrons vs Gas?”