Contrary to some views, the road ahead for electric cars is indeed relatively easy in Canada compared to other nations. Let me elaborate with the following points:

Due to the relative low cost of electricity in Canada, operating a battery-electric car will cost one to two cents per kilometre, compared to six cents per kilometre for a similar car running on gasoline. Even a doubling of electricity costs will still leave a huge cost saving for electric over gas. And, gasoline prices are also predicted to rise significantly in the coming years as world demand exceeds supply.

On a national scale, 500,000 electric vehicles would only add a demand increase of two per cent on the grid. And, if these vehicles are charged in off-peak periods, which technology will encourage, the extra supply needed is zero. Market penetrations will be considerably below 500,000 for the first years. It is agreed that a concentration of electric vehicle owners on a street may require upgrades to local transformers, but this is a small, affordable and manageable task.

Electric vehicles are green -- particularly in provinces where the electricity is mostly generated from hydro -- i.e. British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland/Labrador. Because of the super efficiency of electric motors compared to gasoline engines, even in provinces where coal and natural gas is used for generating electricity, there is still the potential for up to 30-per-cent reduction in greenhouse gases from electric vehicles.

True, battery-electric cars will have limited range. But consider that most Canadians travel less than 20 kilometres on the way to and from work, and that the range of electric vehicles will start at about 60 kilometres, electric vehicles are ideal for urban commuting trips.

True, Canada has cold winters and hot summers. Both conditions will place further strain on the batteries and limit the range travelled as power is used to cool or heat the vehicle. However, the remaining power will be sufficient to meet most urban travel.

Given the above prospects, electric cars have as much potential in Canada as in the U.S. or in other nations that are investing heavily in their design and production. The alternative -- dependence on a depleting source of fossil fuels -- is keeping our heads in the sand. Electric vehicles, both battery only or plug-in hybrid technologies, present the only viable short-term alternative to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Al Cormier President and CEO, Electric Mobility Canada