It goes from diesel to electric

Germain Goyer

Germain Goyer

Wednesday, 18 October 2017 12:17

UPDATE
Wednesday, 18 October 2017 12:17

Look at this article

Marc Lavigne and his wife were considering acquiring an electric car by 2020. Except that the scandal diesel that broke out at Volkswagen has precipitated things.

In September 2015, whereas the
dieselgate was in the headlines, this pair of St-Charles-sur-Richelieu owned two Jetta motor
diesel, a 2010 and a 2015.

First shocked that Volkswagen has downright cheated, and lied to his clients, he was not, for them, not question them to keep their two sedans. They did absolutely not change anything to their cars that they liked, all in all.

In an interview with the Journal, Mr. Lavigne said he had finally rolled in with his Jetta TDI 2015 for free for two years – not counting the costs of fuel, maintenance, registration, etc in Short, the value listed in the Canadian Black Book added to the amount of compensation awarded by Volkswagen resulted in the amount disbursed to purchase.

It took time, but the manufacturer has finally been able to compensate monetarily the buyers of the vehicles fixing. “The paperwork was onerous, but the treatment we received by the dealer was impeccable throughout the process,” says Mr Lavigne.

At the moment the conflict ended, Volkswagen had to add the
e-Golf, its first electric car, with its catalogue. For the couple who has cars from the German manufacturer for over twenty years, this avenue appeared to be more than interesting. It is as well that Mr. Lavigne and his wife have taken possession of their e-Golf navy last August 8. A little more than two months after purchase, the meter already accumulates more than 10 000 kilometres. There is no doubt about it, they roll!

Volkswagen e-Golf

Germain Goyer

A first trap

Without a car diesel engine can travel approximately 1000 kilometres with a full at another all-electric that can travel only 201 kilometers with a single charge, it requires adaptation. This fall, Mr. Lavigne has done in the face of a first wall with its e-Golf. Entrepreneur in the agri-food sector, it was supposed to go in the region of Quebec, to attend a congress.

After a brief recharge at Laurier-Station along the way, he finally arrives in Quebec city. Surprise! The charging stations at the destination were already occupied. It takes two times to attempt to connect his car, but with no success, since other owners reloaded also.

“The popularity of electric cars grows faster than the charging infrastructure. There is no doubt that the province, the lack of terminals. Since this incident, our journeys are calculated in a way more conservative,” said Mr. Lavigne.

Volkswagen e-Golf

Germain Goyer

What will happen this winter?

Of course, owners of electric cars accumulate already a few winters in quebec, but nobody has yet gone through with an e-course. If this couple has not bought a second electrical Golf to replace their second Jetta, is that it captures the winter season. Both are concerned about the reduction of autonomy by great cold.

With its autonomy of 383 kilometres, the Chevrolet Bolt could be an interesting alternative. It is the same for the Tesla Model 3, but the price looks high for canadian consumers makes it less attractive.

The e-Golf, itself, is comprised of the 35 999$ and it is eligible for the grant of$ 8,000 from the government program, Drive Electric. As an indication,
Volkswagen has sold 303 e-Golf since the beginning of the marketing of the model in Canada last June. Since the beginning of the year, 8035 Golf conventional who have found a taker in the country.

If the e-Golf to pass the test this winter, a second copy may end up in the court of Lavigne in the spring.

One thing is for certain, for Marc Lavigne and his wife, refueling is no longer an option.

Volkswagen e-Golf

Germain Goyer