Electric vehicle viability: evaluated for a Canadian subarctic region company

Abstract

Governments all over the world are setting policies and regulations that encourage companies to incorporate Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) as a part of their fleet and Canada is no exception. However, BEVs struggle to deliver on a wide variety of workload needs and ambient temperature changes tend to have a greater impact on their range. This study reviewed the impact of ambient temperature on BEVs and evaluated if such depressed vehicle battery capacity can deliver required vehicle work scope for the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) Waste Management Areas (WMA). This study focused on three-years quantitative data of Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) operated by CNL WMA. A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluation compared BEVs to representative WMA Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Findings indicate that WMA LDVs mileage needs are well within the capabilities of a 150 km capacity BEV. When ambient temperature changes to 0 °C and further to −15 °C, it impacts battery capacity, reducing the aforementioned 150 km capacity BEV by 53% and 40%, respectively. Comparatively, a 250 km capacity BEV would also not translate into meeting 100% of WMA vehicle work scope without recharging when temperature impacts are considered. TCO evaluation shows cost savings in implementing BEVs over WMA ICE LDV, with or without government rebates. There is potential for BEV technology to meet WMA Small Engine Vehicles (SEVs) i.e. all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) mileage needs without modifications, contingent on ambient temperature above −15 °C.