Author Archives: lukefrugalev

These days there is a lot of ink being spilled over the economics of EVs. Some of it better written than others. Even the “pro-wallet” Canadian Taxpayer’s federation has chimed in (source), claiming it will cost “billions-of-dollars” to have us all driving EVs. Then we have the Toronto-star reporting monthly savings of more than $500Continue reading “Filling up for $2, no problem if you have an EV”

As we start sharpening the skis, and putting on winter tires, its time for the fall 2024 used EV survey. As before, we set our price roof to $35 000, and geographical search parameters to 100 km from Toronto. Its a very good time to buy a used EV, its never been this good. WeContinue reading “Fall 2024, used EV survey”

Recently, we installed a home battery system in our home. We had several reasons for this, but a combination of economics and energy-security had us looking for a home battery system. With the system in, we take a look at Toronto Hydro’s monitoring portal (which is actually really good), and see how things are shapingContinue reading “Home Battery System, early impressions”

Congratulations on your new electric vehicle (EV), lets talk next about what needs to be on your phone to make the most out of your new EV. You need these to access DC fast chargers which can greatly enhance your EVs utility. Most EVs nowadays can replenish 80% of their battery in as little asContinue reading “New EV, New apps?”

Lately, several articles have “hammered” EVs claiming they are a poor-investment. While for certain new EVs that is true, the solution is rather simple, be on the happy side of this deal and buy used. But lets dig into this a little further, briefly the “slower-than-expected” sales of EVs has caused depreciation of new EVsContinue reading “Depreciation and EVs”

A few weeks back, I wrote a post discussing the carbon tax, particularly, what might happen in the absence of a carbon tax, making use of my location near a construction site in Toronto, where somehow generators hum and pollute just underneath power lines. Perhaps this is because diesel and gasoline used on a constructionContinue reading “Argument against the Carbon Tax”

In some markets, particularly ones with lots of solar such as California, Electricity prices reach their lowest point not overnight, but in the middle of the day. The reason for this is the glut of Solar power that hits the grid at that time. Particularly in the spring, when its sunny, but not yet hot.Continue reading “The “Duck” curve”

Wife and I were thinking on how to speed up our trip to Tremblant, the idea of taking just one stop came up. Not sure if I’m up for that personally, I kinda do like my coffee/pastries/meals/dog-walks etc. But lets continue with it anyways to see where it might lead us. To begin with, thereContinue reading “Toronto to Tremblant in one stop?”

A good charging stop has not only lots of chargers, but productive means of using the charging time to further your journey. Lets look at some charging stops near Toronto, ON and see how they rate on my ever so subjective 5 star scale. Ideally, I like to see a grocery store, some restaurants andContinue reading “My Favourite charging stops”

I recently travelled to Japan, while there, its hard not to admire the Shinkansen, the Japanese high speed rail network. Particularly while zooming along at 320km/hr with barely a ripple in your tea. But does such a service make any sense in Ontario? Some have pointed to Canada’s vast geography, others point to the cost,Continue reading “Does the Shinkansen make sense in Ontario?”