There’s a shiny new vehicle model in the BCAA Auto Service fleet: the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.
With their fresh BCAA logos and gear installed, these tough-as-nails trucks are more than qualified for
the rigours of their role, providing Roadside Assistance and more – just like their counterparts. But as
Ford’s first-ever battery-powered pickup, they’re fully chargeable, getting around 375 km of driving range
per juice-up. And as the first EVs to join the BCAA Auto Service fleet, they’re also an important
early step in BCAA’s journey to lower its carbon footprint across the board. Read on as we share
some of the other ways BCAA is leading the charge on electrification – empowering British Columbians
to not just move forward – but forward toward a sustainable future.
BCAA Fleet Trainer Mario Barone is one of several BCAA Auto Service leaders who
have recently attended BCIT's Electric Vehicle Maintenance Training program, delivered
at the school's Burnaby campus by instructors like Jim Berladyn.
We’re Taking the Auto Service Fleet Electric
The new trucks are likely to be the first of many, says BCAA Director of Automotive Richard Gaspar.
“We’re really thrilled about introducing these zero-emission vehicles into our fleet,” he says. “As a
purpose-led organization, it’s our job to innovate in ways that lighten our environmental footprint, and
inspire that change in others, too. This journey we’re on to take our entire fleet electric is one way we
can do that – while also supporting our Members who are on this journey, too.”
The new trucks will be a test case for what’s possible in the future, adds Gaspar. One exciting prospect
is to use the EVs as mobile roadside chargers for other battery-powered vehicles. Carrying 98 kWh of
energy per charge, a Ford Lightning is capable of lending EV-driving BCAA Members some extra juice,
to get them moving with at least enough power to make it to the nearest charging station. “It’s something
we plan to look at, especially in urban areas where there is more charging infrastructure,” says Gaspar.
Of course, Roadside Assistance vehicles will always be there to lend a tow, too, whether to a charging
station or garage.
Jim Berladyn, Electric Vehicle Maintenance Training Program instructor.
We’re Going to EV School
BCAA isn’t the only place where EVs are becoming a whole lot more common. The BC Government’s
Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Act requires automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new
light-duty ZEV sales and leases, reaching 26 per cent of light-duty vehicle sales by 2026, 90 per cent by
2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.
Knowing its Auto Service teams will need to service these vehicles, BCAA is sending its mechanics
back to school. Though EVs are generally lower-maintenance than a standard internal combustion
-engine vehicle, they operate differently, notes Gaspar, so technicians need to become familiar with the
latest EV systems, as well as safe handling. Most recently, several BCAA Auto Service Managers
attended the BCIT Electric Vehicle Maintenance Training program. Delivered at the school’s Burnaby
campus, the program is designed to provide Red Seal Automotive Technicians with the skills to
diagnose and repair zero-emission vehicles, from the safe handling of high-voltage batteries and
enhanced fire precautions to diagnosing and fixing issues. “We want our teams to build some
confidence and familiarity,” says Gaspar. “And then subsequent to that, we put our trainers and
technicians through an internal course to build a stronger knowledge base.”
Later this year, BCAA’s Roadside fleet and Auto Service teams will also pass through the Automotive
Retailers Association EVfriendly program, adds Gaspar. Sponsored by the BC Ministry of Energy,
Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, this online program helps train auto pros in servicing, repairing
and recycling ZEVs safely.
Five fully electric Kia Niros have been circulating BCAA's Vancouver-based Evo Car
Share fleet as a pilot program, and this summer, 11 more are set to arrive, joining the
popular Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles.
We’re Adding More Electric Evos
For the past couple of years, five fully electric Kia Niros have been circulating in Vancouver’s Evo fleet
as a pilot program. This summer, 11 more are set to arrive.
Data from the expanded pilot will help Evo on its path to electrification, says Karly Nygaard-Petersen,
Senior Manager of Consumer Marketing for Evo.
“Sustainability is at the core of what we do, and we know that on average every car-share vehicle
removes nine personal vehicles from the road,” says Nygaard-Petersen. “This is why we started Evo,
and why we chose to launch with Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles. The opportunity to further reduce
emissions and provide more BC communities with zero-emission transportation options is really
exciting.”
Hybrid Toyota Prius.
While the initial EV fleet is small, it’s teaching the team some big lessons on bringing an electrified fleet
of shared vehicles to scale, she adds. For instance: “It’s really easy and fast to fuel our hybrid vehicles
on a mobile basis, but right now there isn’t really mobile-charging technology to mirror that,” she says.
“We’re also looking to international car-share markets to learn how they are tackling the electrification
of shared mobility.”
MEMBERS SAVE
BCAA Members get free Evo Membership, 10% off every trip and 60 free driving minutes. evo.ca
We’re Rolling Out Micromobility
Electrification is happening on a micro scale, too. Over the past few years, Evo has also been rolling
out Evolve E-Bike Share. The service, which started out as five programs with private businesses, is
now working on going public. “And further down the road, Evolve might, well, evolve!” says says Kyla
Way, BCAA Senior Manager of Marketing Strategic Ventures. She and her team are looking into the
possibility of adding shared electric scooters, similar to those seen across Europe and some North
American municipalities. These are an important “last and first mile” option, she says, linking other
forms of sustainable transport. “Micromobility is a complement to our current Evo offering,” says Way.
“It’s about creating that full cycle of mobility options.”
BCAA is rolling out electric micromobility, including Evolve E-Bike Share (right). The
Evolve team is also planning to pilot electric shared scooters (left), similar to those seen
across Europe and some North American cities.
We’re Moving Forward Together
On the cusp of widespread electrification is a pretty thrilling place to be. “There’s a lot of excitement
right now,” says Gaspar. “We’re introducing zero-emission vehicles at the roadside to help BCAA
Members, and we’re transitioning our own fleet to zero-emission – while at the same time building
confidence across our team in their ability to help Members who have zero-emission vehicles.”
It’s all part of BCAA leading the charge on electrification, adds Nygaard-Petersen. “BCAA and Evo
are committed to moving sustainable transportation forward in BC,” she says. “Our goal is to inspire
British Columbians with our journey toward electrification on all fronts. We know that’s what our
Members want, and what British Columbians want. So we really want to be on the leading edge of
making that a reality.”