ACU supports EVs in the drive toward a greener future

Electric vehicle enthusiasts across the planet, including those here in Manitoba, are gearing up for the fifth annual World EV Day.

On September 9, they’ll celebrate the global drive towards a greener future. Some will mark the day at meetups with other EV owners, while others will raise awareness by posting on social media with the hashtags #WorldEVD2024 and #EVmeetups.

Here’s how World EV Day got started, and how Manitobans can get involved with EVs on September 9 and all year round.

World EV Day

World EV Day was created in 2020 to bolster international awareness and support for
zero-emission vehicles. It was the brainchild of Swiss tech firm ABB and Green.TV, a video channel for environmental content launched in partnership with the UN Environment Programme.

The pandemic forced most of those inaugural EV Day celebrations to happen virtually, including an online pledge (taken by drivers in 60 countries) to make their next vehicle purchase an electric one. The annual celebration has been gathering steam—or, electricity—ever since.

Past World EV Day events have included the first EV drive-in movie screening (held in Bulgaria) and an EV 160 km drive in the UK, from Braintree to Norwich, that celebrated efficiency by recognizing the most environmentally conscious and skillful driver. Offroad and online, the 2023 edition of World EV Day generated more than 200 million impressions on X (formerly Twitter).

World EV Day is a chance for people everywhere to share their passion for electric vehicles and raise awareness about the benefits of EVs, which are more than just environmental.

The benefits of EVs

The most obvious benefit of driving an electric vehicle is that it’s much less harmful to the environment than a car with a traditional gas or hybrid engine.

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy found that, while gasoline-powered vehicles emit more than 11,000 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, an EV emits just 3,900 lbs of CO2 annually.

EVs can also save you money. According to data compiled by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), an electric vehicle can help drivers cuts costs on:

• Fuel: while the average Canadian driver shells out nearly $3,000 a year on gas, charging costs for an EV are typically just a few hundred dollars annually
• Maintenance: the CAA estimates maintenance costs for EVs are 40 to 50% lower than those for gas-powered models
• Insurance: some insurers in Canada offer lower rates to EV drivers

Government incentives can also reduce the cost of buying an EV. The federal government offers up to $5,000 towards the purchase of a brand-new EV. On July 1, 2024, Manitoba began offering its own program:

• incentives of up to $4,000 for a new EV
• up to $2,500 towards the purchase of a used EV

EVs and driver satisfaction

EV owners are also happy drivers. When CAA surveyed 16,000 Canadian EV owners in 2023, 97% said they’d likely buy an electric vehicle again. In the same poll, EVs also got higher satisfaction ratings than gas vehicles for overall driving enjoyment, operation costs and quietness of the ride.

Though 44% of Canadian EV drivers expressed concern about finding charging stations, 7,500 stations opened in 2023 under a federal initiative aimed at building 25,000 new ones across Canada. This map can help you find an EV charging station in Winnipeg.

How ACU supports greener driving

Assiniboine Credit Union is doing its own part to support EV adoption in Manitoba.

“Having Peg City Car Share cars at these housing co-ops reduces the need for residents to own a vehicle, supporting EV charger installation will speed the transition for these co-ops to electric vehicles,” explains since 2010.

ACU is a Peg City Car Share Co-op corporate member. The membership provides ACU staff access to car share vehicles for business related trips. Joining the co-op was motivated by data collected from ACU’s employee commuting survey, which revealed that approximately 60 ACU employees were willing to leave their own cars at home for a few days per week if they had access to car share vehicles. ACU conducts the survey annually to measure the impacts of employee commuting behavior, and to look for new ways to support green and active commuting.

“We do lots to engage with our employees, to help them understand how important this is and to get them to be part of the solutions we’re constantly trying to champion,” Dennis explains. “As a B Corp and a credit union, environmental sustainability plays a critical role in our commitment to using business as a force for good in the community.”

ACU’s 2023 commuter survey suggests this approach is working. Last year, 58% of ACU employees said they were “green” and “active” commuters, a substantial improvement over 2010, when 63% described themselves as “drive-alone” commuters.

For ACU’s upcoming 2024 employee commuter survey, Dennis plans to ask staff how likely they are to consider buying an EV within the next few years. Jill Hollosi, Manager of Marketing Programs and Brand at ACU, has already taken the plunge by purchasing one herself.

“I chose an electric car because it’s my way of doing my part for the environment,” Jill says. “Plus, I absolutely love the sleek design and impressive performance. It’s very cost-effective, just $2 per charge, and there’s no other maintenance to worry about. Finding charging stations on most road trips is easy. An electric car is a great fit for my family.”

ACU’s EV initiatives are part of its longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability.

How to get involved in EV Day

If you’re interested in holding your own virtual or in-person event for World EV Day on September 9, you can sign up here. Closer to home, check out the annual Manitoba EV Fest scheduled for September 14 at the IKEA parking lot in Winnipeg.

For more information about that event or the province’s growing green vehicle movement, contact the Manitoba EV Association, a non-profit organization that holds EV car shows, meetings, and other events throughout the year.

To learn more about how ACU remains accountable to our sustainability initiatives, visit our environmental sustainability page.