Electric vehicle event in Fredericton draws crowd as gas prices hit record-highs
People in the Fredericton area were able to get a first-hand look at a range of electric vehicle models at an event in the city Sunday.
The event, coordinated by the New Brunswick EV Owners and other stakeholder organizations in the city, came at a time when many are struggling with the rising cost of gas prices.
“Since last year, it has been a 200 per cent increase in electric vehicle growth. EVs (electric vehicles) coming into the province is a bit of a challenge right now, but its not the province, its right across Canada," said Diane Robichaud, the business development specialist at NB Power.
"So, there will be, as more models come on the market, we will be seeing more come into the province and the demand is really driving that."
Many electric vehicle models are backordered and waitlisted, but demand to own one is still growing.
"We are in the market for an electric vehicle, we've been having trouble finding them," said Jennifer Wells, who is interested in purchasing an electric vehicle. "You can do all the internet searches online you want, you can read all about it, but it's not like seeing them and sitting in them."
Depending on makes and models, the waitlist could be years, according to one shopper.
"I lucked out,” said Charlotte Hill, who is waiting for her electric vehicle to arrive in New Brunswick.
“A lot of people are on a waitlist ahead of me. I'm waiting for a Bolt actually, and so, they had two on the way to the store and I was able to vouch for one of those because I wasn't picking out trim and colour and things like that. So, mine is coming right away in June. I've only had to wait two months but other people are still on the list and theirs haven't even been built yet,” Hill added.
With the rising price of gas, many people attended Sunday's event to see what it had to offer.
"The price of gas is really increasing right now and I have a lot of family in Quebec, so we're going back and forth a lot, so it's really about the price of gas so that it can be cheaper for us,” said Nadia Matte-Giasson.
Those who already own electric vehicles say the savings are worth it.
"I feel great because on our Tesla app, it actually shows us in the last 21 days I've saved over $300 in fuel prices, even with the charging that I've done,” said Marty Hood, who owns a Tesla.
Owners say charging stations have come a long way, but there's still room for improvement.
Tom McLean has driven an electric vehicle for eight years.
"There’s an app for that, of course, because there's not as many charging stations as there are gas stations,” said McLean, a moderator of the New Brunswick EV Owners Facebook group, which helped organize Sunday's event.
Impacts on the environment brought out one organization who advocates for cleaner air.
"Gas powered vehicles obviously have tailpipe emissions... that are bad for our health, particularly bad for our lungs, which, as the lung association, we think is really valuable,” said Alyse Wilton, with The New Brunswick Lung Association.
NB Power offers up to $5,000 in rebates on both electric vehicles and home charging stations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.