Clean Transportation, Made for Northern Saskatchewan

Clean Transportation, Made for Northern Saskatchewan

Real conversations about electric vehicles, clean fuels, and what works here, today and into the future.

Clean transportation looks different in northern Saskatchewan.

Cold winters, long distances, remote highways, and limited infrastructure have left many wondering what’s actually viable.
Aurora Renewables, with the support of Natural Resources Canada, is looking to bridge the gap, with an education and awareness initiative that will explore community questions and challenges and look at what’s needed to move forward. 

This will include EV demos, events, a 12-part free webinar series, and more. We’ll focus on zero-emission vehicles, charging, and clean fuels through a Saskatchewan lens, with a strong emphasis on northern Saskatchewan, First Nations, and Métis communities. The goal is practical learning, shared experience, and information you can actually use.

Interested?

Register Here

JOIN THE NEXT WEBINAR

Webinar: Building a National Charging Network

Wednesday, July 22 at 12 PM (CST)

 Travis Allan, President & CEO of the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council, and Scott Sharabura, President and Founder of Sharabura EV Infrastructure Advisors, will join us for the conversation.

We’ll be talking about the development of a national charging network to allow freedom of electrified travel across the nation, including to remote locations like Saskatchewan’s north. Join us to hear their perspectives on charging network needs, challenges, and opportunities. 

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FHNO9O_dSDicJWpqBTXaVw 

WATCH PAST EPISODES

Dive into our YouTube channel and discover great conversations about Clean Transportation in the north.

 

Be part of the conversation

Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover in the campaign?

We want to hear from you.

Q & A

As part of our Bridging the Gap ZEV Awareness Campaign, we compile the most frequently asked questions and provide answers from industry experts. Check back regularly as new questions and answers are added.

How can it be guaranteed that electric vehicles won't freeze up in -40°C weather, leaving travellers stranded?

No vehicle can be guaranteed against breakdowns in any weather condition, whether it’s powered by gasoline, diesel, or electricity. However, the idea that electric vehicles (EVs) simply “freeze up” and stop working in cold weather is one of the most persistent myths about EVs.

This misconception likely stems from the fact that cold temperatures can reduce battery performance and driving range, particularly in older EV models with smaller batteries and less sophisticated battery heating systems. Early media coverage often focused on reduced range rather than overall vehicle reliability, leading some people to conclude that EVs don’t work in winter.

In reality, EVs are driven year-round in Saskatchewan, the Yukon Territories, Norway, and other cold-climate regions. Unlike gasoline vehicles, EVs don’t rely on engine oil, fuel injectors, spark plugs, or engine cranking to start. As SaskPower notes, EVs effectively “turn on like a light switch” and are often easier to start in extreme cold than conventional vehicles.

Cold weather does reduce driving range because batteries are less efficient at low temperatures, and energy is needed to heat the cabin. However, Saskatchewan EV owners who use winter driving best practices—such as preheating the vehicle while plugged in, keeping the battery warm, and planning longer trips—typically experience much smaller range reductions than many people expect.

The key consideration is not whether EVs work in winter—they do—but understanding how cold weather affects range and planning accordingly, just as drivers of gasoline vehicles account for winter fuel consumption, road conditions, and emergency preparedness.

The Saskatchewan Electric Vehicle Association has a terrific electric winter driving guide: Click here

And a SaskPower Blog from 2021 busts this myth by talking to Saskatchewan EV drivers about their winter driving experiences: Click here

Thanks for reaching out to us. We hope this answers your question.

We want to hear more from our viewers, so keep your questions coming!

Resources

1. Searching for electric vehicles available in Canada? These tools can help you browse and compare models:

  • SEVA Vehicle Search: A searchable database of electric vehicles available in Canada, maintained by the Saskatchewan Electric Vehicle Association. https://sevaonline.ca/vehicles
  • EV Search: An online tool for comparing electric vehicles available in Canada, including range, pricing, and specifications. https://evsearch.ca/
  • Plug’n Drive EV Finder: Browse electric vehicles available for purchase in Canada, with filters for vehicle type, range, and price. https://ev.plugndrive.ca/vehicles

2. Electric Mobility Canada: Electric Mobility Canada works to enable and accelerate the shift to sustainable electric transportation through advocacy, collaboration, education, and thought leadership. Their mission is to help build a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for all Canadians. https://emc-mec.ca/

3. Electric Autonomy Canada: Canada’s leading platform for electric vehicle news, insights, and industry networking. Electric Autonomy delivers timely reporting and expert perspectives on Canada’s EV landscape. https://electricautonomy.ca/

4. Plug’n Drive: Plug’n Drive is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating EV adoption in Canada. By advancing education and awareness, they aim to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of electrified transportation and support Canada’s goal of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 or sooner. https://www.plugndrive.ca/

5. Electric Vehicle Society: The EV Society leverages the knowledge and experience of EV owners and enthusiasts to support Canada’s transition to electric transportation through education, outreach, and advocacy. https://evsociety.ca/

6. Canada Talks Electric Cars: A webinar series exploring a wide range of electric vehicle topics from a Canadian perspective, featuring industry experts and thought leaders. https://evsociety.ca/canada-talks-electric-cars/

7. EV Revolution: A YouTube channel and audio podcast, hosted by Kenneth Bokor, focused on the transition to electric vehicles, offering car reviews, industry news, and event coverage. With over 300 videos, it covers the EV ecosystem, including battery technology, charging infrastructure, and interviews with industry experts. https://www.youtube.com/@EVRevolution

8. For Saskatchewan-specific resources:

Check back regularly for additional resources and updates.

Learn more about our EV service here

Contact Information

solar@aurorarenewables.ca

306-803-5869

Head Office: #600 - 2555 Grasswood Road East,  Saskatoon, SK S7T 0K1

Kelowna Office: #305 - 1350 St Paul St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2E1

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Contact Information

solar@aurorarenewables.ca

306-803-5869

Head Office: #600 - 2555 Grasswood Road East,  Saskatoon, SK S7T 0K1

Kelowna Office: #305 - 1350 St Paul St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2E1

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.