Electric Vehicles – A Part of Canada’s Climate Change Solution

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a good choice for Canadians who drive and are looking for more climate-friendly options. While EVs can require up to twice as much energy (and create double the greenhouse gas emissions) as gasoline vehicles during the manufacturing process, emissions from driving are significantly lower.

According to a recent life cycle analysis, a mid-size battery-electric sedan, such as the Nissan Leaf, charged up on BC’s clean energy grid, will make up for the initial manufacturing impact after 30,000 km, or about three years of driving. After that, the vehicle produces no further emissions.  Over 15 years of driving, assuming 10,000 km per year, the EV generates 99% fewer emissions in operation than a gas vehicle; the EV generates 73% fewer emissions when both manufacturing and driving are taken into account.

To achieve even further emissions reductions, it is critical to have a commitment to the effective recycling of EV batteries. It is important to recover and reuse most battery construction materials and to displace raw materials that would otherwise need to be mined.

Find a summary of the Plug in BC analysis in Policy Options magazine.

New Videos! Reno Nation, Kanaka Bar

Kanaka Bar is on a path to self-sufficiency, which encompasses such areas as employment, food and energy. In addition to solar and small-scale hydroelectric development, the community is putting a lot of effort into renovating homes so that they use less energy and are more comfortable.

Watch Reno Nation, Kanaka Bar, a series of three short videos that offer tips and techniques for improving home energy efficiency.

The Fraser Basin Council provided support for these projects through the First Nations Home EnergySave Program.

Plug in BC - New Incentives for EV Charging Equipment

If you’ve been thinking about buying an electric car, new charge-up incentives may give you the boost you need.

On March 7, 2018 the Fraser Basin Council announced rebates in its Plug in BC program to help offset the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging equipment in single-family homes, duplexes and multi-unit residential buildings and – for the first time – in workplaces. The incentives are funded by the Province of BC.

See our media release: Word |PDF.

For full details on the incentives and how to apply, visit Plug in BC.

Strategic Plan

Our 2016-2021 Strategic Plan: Advancing Sustainability Solutions will help guide the Fraser Basin Council into our third decade of service.

The five-year plan reflects the Council’s strategic priorities, the way in which we carry out our work and how we define our success. Inspirational and practical, this is the framework for annual operating plans, partnerships, work plans and all decisions to devote time, money and energy to fulfillment of the Fraser Basin Council’s mandate. Take a look.