Electric Vehicles
Status: Improving
There are two main types of electric vehicles (EVs). Both types have batteries and can be plugged into electrical connections and charged. The first type is plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). These cars can be driven a limited distance on battery power (usually tens of kilometres), after which an internal combustion engine engages to charge the batteries and/or propel the vehicle. Examples of PHEVs include the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius Prime. The second type of EV is the battery electric vehicle (BEV). BEVs have larger batteries, longer all-electric range (usually hundreds of kilometres), and no internal combustion engines. Examples of BEVs include the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and several models from Tesla. The term electric vehicle, or EV, encompasses both PHEVs and BEVs.
Relevant actions from the Low Emissions Community Plan include:
Where are we now?
The number of EVs in Saskatoon is rising rapidly. The number has more than quadrupled since 2018.
Source: Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).
Data Table
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total EVs (PHEVs & BEVs) | 2 | 4 | 13 | 22 | 28 | 41 | 56 | 99 | 188 | 280 | 477 | 661 |
Source: Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).
What Are We Doing?
Electric Vehicle Transition
The City's Low Emissions Community Plan includes a target for the City to electrify its fleet by 2030. In 2021, the City added four plug-in electric vehicles to its fleet. An electric vehicle adoption roadmap will be developed to outline how to achieve this target. In the short-term, the City will replace conventional fuel vehicles and equipment with right-sized electric models whenever feasible.
Electric Buses
The City piloted its first electric bus in 2020-21, and is now exploring the feasibility of beginning the transition of the entire fleet to electric models. Results of the pilot indicate that both the lifetime cost and the GHG emissions of an electric bus are lower than a conventional diesel bus. The Low Emissions Community Plan calls for full electrification of the City's transit fleet by 2030. The LEC Plan found that electrifying buses has the lowest marginal abatement cost of any action in the LEC Plan, estimating that the City would save $2,500 for every tonne of CO2e reduced. Find out more about the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve.
Renewable Rides
Saskatoon Light & Power was a partner in “Renewable Rides,” an award-winning program which brought 100% solar-powered electric vehicles to the Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative’s fleet of cars. This program ended March 31, 2020.
What Can You Do?
Keep informed about the City’s expanding efforts to reduce community and City GHG emissions.
If you plan to buy an automobile, inform yourself about EV options.
Did You Know?
In the 1950s and early ’60s nearly all Saskatoon buses were electric. These "trolley" buses relied on overhead electrical lines for their power. Electric buses were in use in Saskatoon until 1974.