Getting a charge out of research

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This article was published 26/03/2015 (4231 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Red River College has unveiled the fastest electrical-car charger in Manitoba.

However, rapidly charging an electrical vehicle in extreme weather conditions has yet to be tried or tested.

“There are currently no other rapid charging stations of this level in a climate as diverse as Winnipeg’s,” said Ray Hoemsen, director of applied research and commercialization at Red River College, in a press release Wednesday.

“The effect on both the lithium ion battery and vehicle performance when utilizing rapid charging in extreme winter weather is still unknown.”

The new level-three electrical vehicle (EV) charging station can provide an 80 per cent charge in half an hour, compared to the level-one and level-two chargers that can take anywhere from four to 12 hours for a complete charge.

Hybrid vehicles use technology designed to decrease the use of gasoline for powering car engines.

But electric cars are totally electric, meaning they must be plugged in and charged. The range of the vehicle is only as far as the charge takes them.

With about 20 full electrical cars in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, and more than half a million EV charging stations in the province (where vehicle block heaters can be plugged in), EV enthusiasts are excited about the new installation.

“(It’s) fantastic,” said Martin Pepin, president of Manitoba Electric Riders Association.

“I’m glad it’s in a place of learning so that everyone can take advantage of it, plus the fact that they have made it available to all our members is great.”

The charger was installed to be used as a part of RRC’s ongoing EV research, testing and demonstration projects at its Electrical Vehicle Technology and Education Centre.

Robert Elms, president of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association, said he was excited.

“We’ve been wanting this charge facility in Manitoba for quite some time,” Elms said.

Also at the unveiling, EV drivers such as Ross Redman of Winnipeg, the first to import a Mitsubishi EV to Canada, turned out eager to give it a try.

“I think it is a great step forward. Fortunately in this province we have clean, renewable, economical power,” Redman said.

Current EV chargers have a varying charge time from four to 12 hours, and depending on the model, can hold a charge anywhere from 150 to 400 kilometres.

The first year Redman owned his EV, he travelled just over 10,000 kilometres and spent only $76 on electricity, Elms said.

“The savings are astronomical — People are starting to look at EVs different,” Elms said.

Free to EV owners who register with RRC (agreeing to participate for research), the new charger will work with the majority of EVs on the road, including hybrids with a plug-in, said Neil Cooke, RRC chairman of transportation heavy apprenticeship.

“I see a growing market here in Manitoba. I think we were all a little hesitant at first (but)… I think electricity is going to play more of a role on our transportation infrastructure in the near future,” Cooke said.

jenna.dulewich@freepress.mb.ca

Would you be tempted to buy an electric car if more of these chargers are installed around Winnipeg? Join the conversation in the comments below.