A recent report from Canada’s Department of Natural Resources states that it is still “too early” to fully evaluate the reliability of electric vehicles (EVs) in Canadian winters. The report, titled “Evaluation Of The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program,” said that conclusive results related to the program’s outcomes cannot yet be obtained. The federal government allocated up to $76 million in funding under Budgets 2016 and 2017 for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program (EVID) with the goal of accelerating the market entry of next-generation clean energy infrastructure to lead to an increased uptake of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).
The Department of Natural Resources funded various projects under the program, including the operation of winter charging stations in Yukon and electric buses in Brampton, Ontario. However, it acknowledges the availability of zero-emission vehicle technologies but points out existing technical and non-technical barriers, particularly related to charging efficiency in cold weather.
Furthermore, findings from Consumer Reports indicate that electric car batteries can experience significant performance drops in temperatures as mild as -8 degrees Celsius.
The report from the Department of Natural Resources raises concerns about potential negative consequences associated with the government’s mandate for electric vehicle adoption. The Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, set by the cabinet, aims to phase out new sales of gas and diesel vehicles by 2035, with exceptions for emergency vehicles. The report warns of potential unintended outcomes of the measures, including impacts on electrical grid distribution networks due to uncontrolled charging and environmental concerns related to battery component mining. The social implications, the report notes, include the potential pollution affecting nearby indigenous communities involved in mining activities for EV battery components, and concerns about carbon emissions generated during EV production.
This cautionary stance is echoed in a 2019 report by Defence Research and Development Canada, which questioned the reliability of zero-emission vehicles in Canadian winters, citing issues with reduced battery capacity at low temperatures and difficulties in charging lithium-ion batteries in sub-zero conditions. According to the report, the extremes of temperature required for military operations pose the biggest technological challenge for hybrid and electric vehicles, and the issue of reduced battery capacity at low temperatures is well known.