Civic ZEV Initiatives

Two dual-port electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) are available in the parking lots at Lakewood (1635 McKercher Drive) and Lawson (225 Primrose Drive) Civic Centres. Installed in May 2023, these stations have been offered at no cost as part of a two-year pilot project. A user-pay model is expected in 2025 to support long-term service and fairness for users and community. The stations have seen steady use and positive feedback during pilot.

Available for public use, EV drivers can conveniently charge their vehicles while visiting the leisure centres or nearby businesses. The initiative supports community conversations and awareness about electric vehicles, emission reduction goals, and other climate action efforts. It also provided the City with important data about electricity use and the maintenance required for this kind of infrastructure.

The City added four battery electric vehicles to its fleet in 2021. These vehicles were used by Saskatoon Light & Power, Facilities Management, and Parking Enforcement.  Over the last three years, the four cars have travelled a combined distance of over 157,000 km with minimal maintenance costs, reduced operating costs, a reduction in GHG emissions, and comparable functionality to the internal combustion engine vehicles they replaced.  The charging requirements of these vehicles will help inform planning for future electrical infrastructure needs as EV adoption continues to increase. The City is continuing to purchase EVs for its Fleet based on the success of this pilot.

Electric vehicles (EVs) charged by Saskatchewan’s current grid emit about 30% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than fuel powered vehicles. EVs also do not emit any tailpipe carbon monoxide, making the surrounding air cleaner to breathe.  There is less maintenance for EVs than internal combustion engines (ICE) as they do not need oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission servicing.  

For these and other reasons, the City of Saskatoon (City) has committed to four fuel-switching actions for emissions reductions in transportation though the Low Emissions Community Plan (LEC Plan). 

The City is developing a Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap that will outline the path forward to meet LEC Actions and reduce greenhouse gas reductions. Public engagement on this was conducted in Summer 2023. The Roadmap will provide:   

• A transition plan for the City’s fleet vehicles that considers the availability and affordability of ZEV’s and their accessory equipment and technical expertise required, based on current market trends and life-cycle costs
• Opportunities for encouraging community adoption of ZEVs such as policy changes and education/incentive programming

Saskatoon Transit launched two new Nova LFSe+ battery-electric buses to its public transit fleet in July 2024. As the first battery-electric buses in Saskatchewan, these vehicles are an exciting step toward building a transit fleet that meets current and future ridership demands and our commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership. Visit Saskatoon Transit for more information. 

An in-person matchmaking event will be conducted between EV technology seekers (property managers, landlords, condominium associations of MURBs, and business fleet owners) and EV technology providers (car dealerships, charging network providers, contractors, and subject matter experts) to foster partnerships, information sharing, and grow the charging network in Saskatoon. This in-person event will feature one-on-one meetings and networking sessions, allowing participants to explore new opportunities, build partnerships, and help drive the growth of clean transportation in Saskatoon. To find more information or to register, please visit saskatoon.ca/EVMatchmaking. 

The number of newly registered EVs in Saskatoon has been steadily increasing year over year. As per Stats Canada, in 2019, 84 new EVs were registered, including 26 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and 58 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). By 2024, this number had risen to 524, comprising 224 PHEVs and 300 BEVs. Source- Stats Canada Interactive map of new zero-emission vehicle registrations

Interactive map of zero-emission vehicle registrations provided by Stats Canada.