Inside an EV

Grade 6, 7, 8 Physical and Health Education 

Big idea

• Healthy choices influence our physical, emotional and mental well-being

Content

• How to participate in different types of physical activities, including individual and dual activities, rhythmic activities, and games

Curricular competencies

Physical literacy

• Develop, refine, and apply fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments

Healthy and active living

• Assess factors that influence healthy choices and their potential health effects (Grade 7, 8)

Grade 6, 7 Science

Big idea

• Earth and its climate have changed over geological time (Grade 7)

Content

• Newton’s three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion (Grade 6)

Curricular competencies

Questioning and predicting

• Identify questions to answer or problems to solve through scientific inquiry

Grade 6, 8 Social Studies 

Big idea

• Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future (Grade 6)
• Changing ideas about the world created tension between people wanting to adopt new ideas and those wanting to preserve established traditions (Grade 8)

Curricular competencies

• Ask questions, corroborate inferences, and draw conclusions

Assessments

• Assess students’ skills working in groups, communicating and sharing ideas.
• Assess students’ thinking through how things work and problem solving.
• Assess students’ basic understanding of gas-powered and electric cars.

Transportation in B.C.

In Canada, we have unique challenges for transportation as distances are great and communities are often far apart. Subsequently there is a dependency on cars, which up to now have been primarily gas-powered vehicles. However, with carbon reduction targets, and concerns regarding air quality and rising gas prices, electric vehicles are gaining traction. 

Electric vehicles have a number of benefits, which include lower operating ‘fuel’ costs, less maintenance, and better air quality. However, there are some barriers to owning an EV including access to charging stations and higher upfront costs. The government is now offering rebates for EVs that help alleviate some of these barriers.

BC Hydro’s renewable electricity

BC Hydro uses the power of falling water to create clean, reliable and renewable electricity. With respect to lower emissions and air quality, EVs make sense, but particularly in B.C. as the majority of our electricity is renewable. See here for an analysis of the costs of electric vehicles.

BC Hydro is supporting electric vehicle adoption in B.C. by working with local, provincial and federal governments on initiatives to expand its fast charging station network. There are currently more than 1,000 charging stations (including over 70 fast charging stations as of February 2020), with additional stations being added yearly.