Can EVs work in Saskatchewan’s North? One Indigenous-led campaign says yes

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Carlson said many drivers continue to underestimate how much EV technology has advanced.

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Can EVs work in Saskatchewan's North? One Indigenous-led campaign says yes

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“EVs aren’t glorified golf carts that some people may think,” he said. “They’re very highly sophisticated technology now.”

Current plans include installing chargers in communities connected to English River First Nation, including Patuanak, Lac la Plonge and Beauval, along with chargers at English River’s business complex south of Saskatoon near Grasswood.

Most of the chargers planned this year will be Level 2 chargers designed for overnight use, although a small number of faster Level 3 chargers are also expected. Carlson said the installations are expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Expanding fast-charging infrastructure across rural and remote regions will likely require continued government support, he added, noting lower population density can make major projects financially challenging.

“We’re lower population density,” he said, adding that lower charger usage can make major investments more difficult early on.

Carlson said the campaign, funded through Natural Resources Canada, is also gathering feedback from communities and providing recommendations to the federal government on what support is still needed to expand EV adoption across Saskatchewan.

He said one of the North’s biggest barriers remains the shortage of fast chargers needed to give drivers confidence travelling between communities.

“North of Prince Albert and Meadow Lake, I think, are the furthest north points that would have a level three charger, like a fast charger,” he said. “And there’s only, I believe, one in each of those communities.”

By comparison, he pointed to British Columbia, where fast chargers are spaced roughly every 150 kilometres along major highways.

Still, Carlson said the issue is less about whether EVs can function in cold climates and more about whether enough charging access exists to support broader adoption. He pointed to Norway, Quebec and Yukon as examples of colder regions where EV use continues to grow.

He added Saskatchewan drivers’ concerns about winter performance are “not completely a misconception,” noting range can drop by up to 30 per cent. However, he said many drivers overestimate how much range they need day to day.

Material shared through Aurora Renewables estimates the average Saskatchewan driver travels about 17,000 kilometres annually, requiring less than 12 kilowatt-hours of charging daily, roughly under two hours on a Level 2 charger.

Carlson also pushed back against concerns EV adoption would overwhelm Saskatchewan’s electrical grid, arguing most charging would occur during off-peak hours while broader adoption could help modernize the grid and generate additional utility revenue.

Campaign estimates suggest Saskatchewan households could save roughly $1,800 annually in fuel costs through EV ownership, while SaskPower could see more than $240 million in additional annual net revenue if adoption expands significantly.

Carlson said misconceptions around cost remain another major hurdle, with many consumers focused on upfront prices rather than long-term savings.

“Most EV owners and drivers find that they actually are going to be saving money over the lifetime.”

Vehicle comparisons prepared through the campaign estimate a Chevrolet Silverado EV could save drivers roughly $7,300 over 10 years compared to a gasoline version while also offering greater towing capacity and torque. An Equinox EV was projected to save more than $16,000 over the same period due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.

Interest in EV adoption has also grown nationally. 

Statistics Canada reported more than 21,500 new electric vehicles were purchased across Canada in March after the federal government restored purchase incentives earlier this year, an 83 per cent increase from February and a 75 per cent increase compared to March 2025.

Carlson said interest in EV savings continues to rise as fuel prices fluctuate, largely due to instability in the Middle East, but public confidence may still take time to catch up with the technology.

“There’s nothing that I can say that would be better than having someone in the driver’s seat of an electric vehicle,” he said.

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The campaign will continue hosting public webinars and outreach events focused on EV technology, charging infrastructure and long-term ownership costs, with the next webinar scheduled for May 27.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com