Community Highlight: Saskatchewan Electric Vehicle Association

1. How and when did you form your group? 

The Saskatchewan Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA) was formed in 2018 by a group of environmentally conscious individuals who were looking to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Saskatchewan. 

2. What are your principal activities and why do you believe they’re important? 

Our largest activities are public engagement and education. In normal times, SEVA hosts events in person to address the myths and misconceptions about EVs and allow people to interact with local EV owners while taking a test ride. We also work with local governments and businesses to advocate for charging infrastructure across the province. The majority of the general public do not believe that these vehicles are feasible in our climate and that they will not suit their personal needs. Education and infrastructure are the two biggest hurdles to EV adoption in Saskatchewan. 

3. What were your successes (big or small) in 2020? 

2020 was a tough year for us due to the pandemic; however, we used this as an opportunity to work behind the scenes and strengthen our organization. SEVA continued to push for major infrastructure investments and completed online education campaigns. We were able to significantly grow our membership and gain a larger presence in the Canadian EV industry. 

4. What would you like to achieve in 2021? 

We are hoping to resume more regular public operations in 2021. We need to get back to hosting education events in person and allowing people to interact with the cars. 

5. If you could have 3 wishes for improving your community, what would they be? 

Our community would be greatly improved in 3 ways. We need to electrify public transit, create more public charging infrastructure, and generate more power from renewable sources. 

The Saskatchewan government recently announced plans to tax electric vehicles whereas other provinces are offering rebates. Members of SEVA have protested the new tax: “It’s important to bring attention to the fact that this is the first EV tax in Canada, and that’s really the opposite of the direction that we want to be moving in here in Saskatchewan.” 

See Also 

Regina Car Share Co-operative 

Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative 

Walking Saskatoon 

Local, Provincial, and National Environmental Organizations

We’re planning to highlight the work of volunteer organizations in our communities on a regular basis over the next year. Do email us if you would like your organization to be profiled on EcoFriendly Sask. 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

Regina Car Share Co-operative

1. How and when did you form your group? 

Regina Car Share Co-operative was formed in 2008 as an idea to reduce emissions and provide a service growing in popularity around the world. Regina is designed to be a car-centric city, so our members are typically people used to living without owning a vehicle but who like to use one occasionally to meet needs or desires not served by public transportation or bicycles. A few dozen people met a couple of times for community potlucks to discuss how to start a car share service, and we agreed a co-operative was the right way to proceed. With some government grant money to operate an office and a private loan to purchase a vehicle, we had our first car shared to members the following year. 

2. What are your principal activities and why do you believe they’re important? 

We principally exist as a way to reduce carbon emissions in our province, and we do that by operating a car share co-op in Regina. Members of our co-operative share use of vehicles that are generally better than ones they could privately own, and they take up less space and fewer resources by being shared. 

3. What were your successes (big or small) in 2020? 

We survived the first year of the pandemic without government assistance. Additionally, with the generous support of Affinity Credit Union, we were able to add 2 electric vehicles to our fleet, replacing one of our aging vehicles. 

4. What would you like to achieve in 2021? 

We hope to double our membership in 2021, which would support our expansion to other vehicle locations and types like a pickup truck. 

5. If you could have 3 wishes for improving your community, what would they be? 

Improved public transportation and cycling infrastructure are important to us because our members tend to use each when they don't use our service. The City Council motion to get Regina to 100% Renewable by 2050 is something we're interested in facilitating. 

6. Are there volunteer opportunities with your organization? If so, please describe them and indicate how people can contact you. 

Memberships in our Co-op are only $10, and members can serve on the Board of Directors. We're currently seeking 1-2 new board members to join our team of dedicated environmentalists who have a vision of a Renewable Regina and a passion to get there by operating Saskatchewan's first car share co-op. We could use a variety of skills, so please contact us at reginacarsharecoop@gmail.com or 306-550-7223. 

See Also 

Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative 

We’re planning to highlight the work of volunteer organizations in our communities on a regular basis over the next year. Do email us if you would like your organization to be profiled on EcoFriendly Sask. 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

Community Highlight: Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative

1. How and when did you form your group? 

The Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative started in 2014. Beginning with the purchase of one car, the CarShare's fleet of six vehicles is designed to complement our members’ active transportation habits and improve affordable access to vehicle ownership. Working with several partners, we are proud to have been the first 100% solar-powered carshare in Canada. 

2. What are your principal activities and why do you believe they’re important? 

Our principal activities are providing and maintaining a network of vehicles to residents in Saskatchewan's core neighborhoods (and beyond). 

It’s a win for individuals because you save money by not having to own a car. Being a CarShare member helps you save money. A typical car owner spends an average of $6,400 per year. That comes out to about $533 per month or $17.64/day to maintain and operate an efficient vehicle. By making simple changes to integrate walking, biking, busing, and CarSharing into your traveling habits, you can save some serious cash. 

It is a win for the environment, the City of Saskatoon, and our community. For every CarShare vehicle out there, another five cars are taken off the road. That means fewer vehicles need to be driven, fuelled, and maintained. Less vehicles on the road also means less traffic on our streets. 

3. What would you like to achieve in 2021? 

In 2021, we'd like to expand the number of CarShare members, to make being a member even more affordable, and to convince more residents to consider giving up their car (or 2nd car) by using the CarShare to complement their active transportation habits. 

4. If you could have 3 wishes for improving your community, what would they be? 

We would like to see less cars on the road, more people using active transportation and shared transportation modes, and for more people to use CarSharing for any of those times when you simply just need to have your own car! 

5. Are there volunteer opportunities with your organization? If so, please describe them and indicate how people can contact you. 

The CarShare is always looking for volunteers to help expand the use of our CarShare network. 

Board Members: We are always recruiting board members to help with planning, decision-making, and monitoring the performance of the CarShare. 

Vehicle Maintenance: We recruit volunteers to help with regular light vehicle maintenance (including checking on vehicles, cleaning, fueling, and taking vehicles for car washes and servicing). 

Promotions and Engagements: We are looking for help in spreading the word about CarSharing through social media and through member engagement activities. 

You don't have to be a member to volunteer with the CarShare, and volunteering comes with perks like driving credits. If you are interested in volunteering with the CarShare, please email scc.coordinator@gmail.com. 

If you live in Regina, be sure to check out the services provided by the Regina CarShare Co-operative. 

We’re planning to highlight the work of volunteer organizations in our communities on a regular basis over the next year. Do email us if you would like your organization to be profiled on EcoFriendly Sask. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

Photo Credit: Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative