It's the only traffic jam that's good for the environment.
Outside of Squamish's city hall on Thursday (March 13), an electric car was parked beside the fast charger, while another one filled up.
I've seen that car around before, Squamish resident David Heywood said.
Owners of electric cars across the Lower Mainland are still a relatively small community, Heywood said, adding the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association (VEVA) has approximately 400 members. But it's growing, and it would grow even faster if there were more fast-charging stations placed along commuter routes, Heywood said.
There aren't that many fast-charging plug-ins and they're not where we need them to be, he said, noting most stations are far from the main highways.
Heywood commutes with his Nissan Leaf from Squamish to North Vancouver to work. He plugs his car in at home and his boss allows him to do the same at his job. When he did the commute with a normal vehicle, Heywood estimated he spent $660 per month on gas. Now in his Leaf he spends $60 per month on electricity and $300 on car payments. It's a no-brainer, he said.
I got tired of being held hostage by the oil companies. Now I wouldn't drive anything else, Heywood said.
Driving an electric vehicle does change one's driving style, he said. You usually stick to the speed limit and in the winter, you're aware of the extra friction the rain and snow place on the vehicle. Twice, bad weather has caught Heywood by surprise, both times causing his car to run out of a charge on his way home near Shannon Falls.
While on a normal day an electric car can do the commute without a problem, Heywood said he'd like to see a charging station at Porteau Cove or Britannia Beach as a backup. Such a measure would also add an extra precaution to EasyPark's proposal to create an electric car co-op in Squamish, he noted.
Earlier this month, the non-profit authority made a presentation to District of Squamish officials to start an electric car co-op travelling from the fast-charging station in downtown Squamish to Vancouver. The district's Transportation Issues Select Committee voted to have municipal staff work with EasyPark on the initiative.
Every year, improvements are being made to electric vehicles, Heywood said. For $2, he drove to Seattle and back. Everywhere he stopped along the route, the car drew a crowd, Heywood said, noting his wife gets sick of him talking about the vehicle.
Heywood believes electric cars are the way of the future. Their biggest obstacle is public opinion, he said.
It is getting the public to understand that you are not giving up anything by having an electric car, Heywood said. It has all the safety standards that other cars have; it has all the power options. For me, it just makes financial sense.
