Transportation Alternatives

Good Day Thetis Islanders,

Just before the Covid scare hit I was working with Modo co-operative to try and learn and co-ordinate where possible, on offering a membership in a car share opportunity. I know there are already a number of Islanders who have Modo memberships.

For those not familiar with Modo, the short version, for details visit their website. Basically, you apply for a membership, once approved it gives you access to a vehicle or in their three-location program I believe their fleet is around 850 vehicles. Nothing is in stone right now. I am just trying to find out if there is a need, and or desire to have this service. The way I currently see it, we would start with one electric vehicle, home base Chemainus. at or near the ferry terminal..................... if anyone has an in or ear of B.C. Ferries love to have you on board at least the investigation team. The service is strictly, circular, pickup at the ferry and drop off there when you are done. I am not interested in re-inventing the wheel. Modo
has a plan, software, the whole nine yards that has been functioning for years. For those not yet familiar with EVs, you will need to disconnect the charger, scan your ID to confirm who you are for insurance/time in and out/ kms driven etc. Check over the vehicle............. if you see a ding or dent, or excess dirt, document it with a pic. Your' tank' is already full for the AM shift and with the long range of many of these new EVs there isn't much worry of running out................... for those who haven't investigated recently, 250 - 600kms per full charge!! As proud owners of e-bikes for a year now, I will also propose a couple of these for the more adventuresome amongst us.

As always, the devil is in the details.................. I have been following the EV market for a decade................ and although I don't like all of Elon's business plans, the Tesla startup business man, he has pushed and pulled the obstinate auto industry kicking and screaming into this future. Now we have reached the point where auto companies are announcing a complete changeover oftheir fleets by as soon as 2026.................... who would have thunk.......

If you have any interest in joining our team, offering ideas/concerns/detailitis/50,000' views/etc., etc. please email David at    info@lotuslandvineyards.com.

A few people have asked why I am going to the trouble............... I believe its time has come................. we leave our ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles for great stretches of time in our driveways. Their batteries go flat, they start hard, run poorly, and often times don't warm up enough to stay healthy....................... why not join us at least for some trips particularly short ones, by letting me know your interest level.

We also feel now that we are into our third year here, it is past time to 'pay forward' as a member of the community.

And a quick plug for my part time business............. Full Spectrum is the Canadian distributor for a line of hybrid solar inverters, all with integrated switching/charge controllers, transformers, etc., LiFePO4 12v 100Ah batteries that meet even broader specs than the market leader, you can connect multiples together in a series/parallel configuration right up to 4 x X so 12, 24, 48v, for everything from small RVs, TTs, cabins, homes, and businesses needing 3 phase off grid
power to  by as many amps as you wish. Our prorated warranty goes out ten years or 6-10,000 cycles depending on the charge parameters I set on the inverter/charger. For those sharp with their pencils, that is 30 years or more folks............... never replace your batteries over the life of your system. I also have a line of 250~W panels, standard 60 cell units, that were replaced in the
first year for cosmetic blemishes, 'worm trails' as they are affectionately called in the industry.
Everyone I have tested exceeds the new spec. In otherwards these units are typically testing out at 255-265W. So far, I have installed/kitted systems at 5-7.5 cents per kwh over a 30-year service life................ For those that haven't looked at their bill lately, that’s roughly half of 2^nd tier hydro rates which I believe are currently at 12.5 cents per kwh. Yes you pay up front, but at least during half the year you could be building <cr> for the winter months and have backup power
YOU control in the event of a service interruption.

I welcome all inquiries.

Regards,
David
Full Spectrum Distributors
President
Regenerative, Bio-dynamic Organic, Group of Companies
Semi-retired