Category Archives: Uncategorized

The higher sticker price of EVs is a major turn-off for potential EV drivers. While “fuelling” is much cheaper in an EV, as is maintenance, that sticker price (and the associated higher insurance costs), kinda kills the “fuel” and maintenance gains. Here in Toronto Canada, we are enjoying a bit of a discount EV moment.Continue reading “Cheaper EVs are here”

Now with my third EV, we can look back and compare our journey with the different EVs. The original Nissan Leaf (2015), second generation Nissan Leaf (2018), and the 2026 Kia EV4. Overall advancement in EV technology are evident, with journey times greatly reduced as technology has improved. Lifestyle wise, the biggest jump for meContinue reading “North Bay three ways”

Mr. Trumps middle-east adventures continue at the time of this writing in July of 2026. It is quite the drama, but setting all this aside, what is remarkable is the absence of “crazy-high-gas-prices”. Particularly given that several of the worlds large oil producers are under strain. Something is different this time around, compared to historicalContinue reading “Where is the gas-price spike?”

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”