Caledon’s Electronic Vehicle Society wants to make community ‘greener’

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

With the evolving world of technology, between phones, drones, you name it, Kenneth Boker dedicates his time out of work to educating not only the community, but the world on electric vehicles. 

Kenneth Boker works in IT sales during the day, and educates audiences about electric vehicles on the side.

This education and knowledge originates from the Electric Vehicle Society (EVS). EVS is a non-profit education-based organization with a board of directors, who all show passion and knowledge about electric vehicles. 

The Electric Vehicle Society was established in 1994 and has over 1,500 members of EV owners and enthusiasts from all over Canada. The group boasts 13 chapters here in Ontario. 

Their aim is to help individuals, and communities, to transition from internal combustion vehicles, to electric, something Boker says will bring about “tremendous benefits” for health, the environment and the economy. 

Boker has been a part of EVS since May 2018 and owns his own electric vehicle, a Nissan Leaf which presents him the opportunity to experience EVs firsthand. 

It all started when Kenneth took an in Tesla a couple of years ago. Tesla launched their first all-electric vehicle in 2008, the Tesla Roadster. From there, Tesla has become a leader and a catalyst to all other major car companies, who just now are following in the path of creating electric vehicles of their own

 Boker worked alongside the Town of Caledon, with the help of Ward 2 Regional Councillor Johanna Downey, on establishing an Electric Vehicle Society group in Caledon. 

“I think it's important to bring it to Caledon, because when I approached the Town earlier last year, I mentioned how Caledon is known to be one of the greenest cities in Ontario and with the promotion of the Climate Action Plan, I think this is a nice tie in to what they want to do,” explains Boker. 

The Electric Vehicle Society of Caledon is hosting their very first meeting on Jan. 29 in Southfields. The meeting is open for those who currently have electric vehicles, are interested in them or just want to learn.

Electric vehicles are slowly moving their way into the car industry. Boker sees a bright future for electric vehicles, but the market at the moment isn't right for many people. 

“If we look at it purely from an environmental aspect, somewhere between 70 to 90 million vehicles were sold in 2018 globally, meaning cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks. Out of that, about two or three million were electrified vehicles, and that includes plug-in hybrids,” says Boker. “We can really make a change, but we need to build more. We're not building 70 to 90 million electric vehicles a year. So, the future is, it will grow. It has to grow.”

Boker also produces his own YouTube channel called ‘EV Revolution Show'. With this platform of over 10,000 subscribers, Boker reviews electric vehicles and attends a variety of different car events. With this channel, he is able to broaden his audience not only within his community, but from all over the globe. 

With the loud conversation of climate change and communities all over wanting to join the fight against climate change, transitioning to electric vehicles is a step in the right direction, Boker says.

The first Electric Vehicle Society of Caledon meeting will take place at 12560 Kennedy Road, Unit 5 at 7 p.m. on Jan 29. 

For more information please visit evsociety.ca or check out EV Revolution Show at youtube.com/evrevolution.