Leaning into Electric – Hybrid Mobility. Your next step towards the future of electrification

Rumor has it that the arrival of 2035, for Canadian citizens means that there will no longer be any new, fuel powered vehicles for sale in Saskatchewan. Some see this as an exciting expansion of innovative technology and a sign of a forward-thinking, sustainable mindset. Let’s face it, there are some of us who are more hesitant and maybe even a little resistant to this upcoming change. 

The electric vehicle evolution is coming, but it will be a slow process.  The journey towards changing our daily habits and lifestyle patterns to encompass all that an electric automotive industry will bring to our lives will require slow steady change to integrate easefully.

Therefore, we are introducing a series of inquiries in our ‘Leaning into Electric’ series with the hope to make your journey into electric as smooth as possible. Before we dive in, let’s look at some of the terminology used when referring to electric vehicles. 

Now that you’re a little more familiar with the terminology we ask, have you considered electric? and if so, what would be your first step moving in the direction of an electric vehicle? At Volvo Cars Saskatoon, we believe that change creates opportunity for growth and our hybrid lineup gives you that opportunity. The same fuel operated Volvo known for its legacy of safety also offers a bridge into the future. The Volvo hybrid lineup may be your next step towards the future of electrification and when shopping for your next step, not all hybrids are created equal. Let’s look at the difference between mild hybrid, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. 

• Mild Hybrid cannot be charged via a cable and uses an integrated starter generator to assist the combustion engine. 
• Full hybrid has a larger electric motor and battery than a mild hybrid, can power the car using the electric motor for a short distance and recharges its battery using the engine or through regenerative braking.
• A plug-in hybrid can be recharged by plugging it into a home charging station or using a public charging station. A plug-in hybrid offers greater pure electric range thanks to a larger battery pack and electric motor. 

Changing our daily habits takes time and one of the biggest concerns we hear when speaking to those considering an electric vehicle is the range their vehicle will have on a single charge. There is a valid fear that your electric vehicle will lose charge and that this circumstance could arrive at an inconvenient time. This is one of the reasons we value hybrid, it allows you to integrate an electric vehicle into your life, while driving with confidence knowing you have the conventional petrol engine as a back-up to rely on. Now, let’s look at some other common questions when considering electric. 

How and where would I charge my plug-in hybrid car?

• Creating a habit of daily charging at home, overnight with a charging wall box in your garage or carport. More options are becoming available as some have the option to charge at work or near work at public charging stations. The Federal Government recently announced that Saskatchewan highways will see 40 fast-charging stations for electric vehicles with a goal to make it easier for electric vehicle owners to charge their cars in Saskatchewan. As we move towards electrified living, more changes and more access to charging stations are becoming available. 

How long does it take to charge the battery? 

• Many factors contribute to charging time including outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition. Specific charging times and technical specifications for each available plug-in hybrid model are available and our team of experts are here to help. 

Dare we say it. Electric is inevitable so we might as well begin opening our minds to the idea of what embracing electric mobility will look like on a personal level. When it comes to Hybrid mobility at Volvo one thing is for sure, two power sources and one awesome drive with the same legacy of safety you know and love. Plug-in hybrid models that are powered by both an electric motor and combustion engine work together seamlessly, they deliver optimal efficiency, reduced tailpipe emissions and a smooth, powerful drive. Today we invite you to be open to the idea of hybrid mobility.  Stay tuned, for part two of our ‘Leaning into Electric’ hybrid mobility series.