FAQ’s – Sunshine Coast EV Association

Frequently Asked Questions about EV’s on the Sunshine Coast

How do I find charging stations on the coast
Will electric cars work in the winter?

Using the heater, lights, and wiper (or to a lesser degree the air conditioner in the summer) can use much of the battery’s charge. The batteries also have a little less energy in the winter, about 15-20%. You may also find the regenerative braking is reduced as well. If you are driving just on the coast in winter, most electric cars have plenty of range to compensate for this loss. However if you plan to travel to Vancouver and beyond be sure to plan for more stops for charging than what would be normal for your car.
Are electric bikes legal in BC?
How long does it take to charge an EV

It depends on the battery size of your car and what type of
charging station you are using. Generally, there are three
different ways you can charge an electric vehicle:

Level 3

The fastest option. It’s also called a Direct Current Fast
Charger (DCFC), or in the case of Tesla, a Supercharger.
Charging times depend on several factors, such as the
size of your car battery and the capabilities of your car. In
most cases, you can get 100 kms of range in 20 minutes.
EV etiquette is important at fast charging stations. We
recommend you limit your charging time to 20 to 30
minutes to minimize the waiting time for others who need to charge.

Level 2

These chargers are most often found and used at home,
workplaces, malls and community centres—places
where you leave your car for an extended period of time.
They add 30-40km of range per hour.

Level 1

The slowest charge typically uses the vehicle’s “trickle
charge” cable and a standard 110v wall outlet. At ~8km of
range per hour, this method can be used to recover daily driving while at work or home.
More coming