The Yukon government’s Our Clean Future strategy, released in 2020, outlines how the territory plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with Canada’s national target of reaching net-zero by 2050. Transportation remains one of the largest sources of emissions in the Yukon, and Our Clean Future outlines actions to reduce transportation-linked emissions, including financial incentives, updated vehicle regulations, and investments in public charging infrastructure. As the territory works toward its goal of registering at least 4,800 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030, it’s important to understand the landscape around electric vehicles, like their charging levels and connectors, the difference between AC and DC charging, charging profiles, and key considerations for charging a ZEV in the Yukon.
What are Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)?
“A ZEV is a vehicle that either produces no tailpipe emissions or has the potential to produce no emissions.” (Natural Resources Canada). Examples include battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV). In this post, we are going to specifically discuss vehicles that can be externally charged, such as BEVs and PHEVs.
What are the Different Types of EV Chargers?
EV chargers are generally categorized by the amount of power they deliver, which affects how quickly they can recharge a vehicle’s battery. Each type of charger is suited to a different purpose, such as slowly charging a vehicle within a home overnight or quickly beside a highway. There are three types of chargers. Level 1 is a portable alternating current (AC) charger, Level 2 is a faster AC charging unit, and Level 3, also known as Fast Chargers, is a direct current (DC) charging station.
Level 1: Standard Home Charging
Level 1 chargers plug into a standard 120-volt household outlet. They are most frequently used in residential settings due to their low power outputs and slow charging speeds, and are often used for overnight charging. These chargers are best suited for plug-in hybrid vehicles with smaller batteries or fully electric cars with minimal daily mileage needs, or as a backup charging method.
Level 2: Faster Home or Public Charging
Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt supply, similar to what is used for electric dryers or ovens, and charge vehicles faster than a Level 1 charger. Many EV owners install a dedicated Level 2 charger at home, which requires a licensed electrician for proper installation of a new plug and, in some cases, a new electrical panel.
Level 3: High-Speed, Long-Distance Charging
Level 3 chargers deliver high-voltage direct current and are typically found along highways and in high-traffic areas where drivers want the fastest charging. As of May 7th, 2023, there are 19 DC Fast Chargers in Yukon, including three in Whitehorse and one each in Carcross, Haines Junction, and Dawson. However, not all EVs are compatible with DC fast charging, and frequent use may contribute to battery degradation over time.
Yukon’s public charging infrastructure is primarily operated by FLO, with additional units provided by ABB Ltd. Both companies offer networked charging systems, allowing stations to be monitored and managed remotely.
What are the Different Types of EV Chargers?
Because EV batteries store energy as direct current, all charging ultimately delivers DC power to the battery. However, alternating current chargers require the vehicle’s onboard inverter to convert AC to DC. This onboard unit may limit the charging speed based on its capacity. For example, if using a 20kW charger with a 10kW onboard inverter, the actual charging capacity will be limited to 10kW. In contrast, DC chargers convert the AC power from the power grid to DC externally before sending it directly to the battery, bypassing the onboard inverter and allowing much faster charging speeds.
What are the Diffrent Connector Types?
Canada uses four main EV connector types, though global efforts are focused on standardizing charging systems for better adoption and compatibility. In the Yukon, most public Level 2 chargers use the J1772 connector, which is compatible with nearly all EVs sold in Canada. For Level 3 DC fast charging, the predominant standard is the Combined Charging System (CCS), supported by most major automakers, including Ford, GM, and Volkswagen. Some older models, such as early Nissan Leafs, rely on the CHAdeMO connector, which is being phased out and is increasingly uncommon. Tesla vehicles use the proprietary North American Charging Standard (NACS) but typically require a CCS or J1772 adapter to access the public charging network in the territory.
What is a Charging Profile?
A charging profile is a set of voltage and current parameters that match the needs of a battery type, determined by its chemistry. The charging profile regulates how a battery is charged by managing the stages a battery goes through during charging in order to maintain efficiency, safety, and long-term performance. Each type of battery, such as lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries, has a unique charging profile, often represented as a curve showing the changing rate of battery capacity over time.
Charging profiles are usually managed by the vehicle’s Battery Management System, an electronic unit that monitors and controls the battery, or by an external smart charger, both of which adjust charging based on battery temperature, state of charge (percentage of the battery’s available capacity), and charging phase. Users can influence the profile indirectly by setting charge limits, time schedules, or power levels in their EV or charger app. Selecting the correct charging profile helps extend battery life, maintain consistent range, and prevent thermal damage.
Source: Charging Basics
What is a Charging Profile?
As of February 2022, the Yukon government launched a $1.8 million program to incentivize businesses to install 200 new Level 2 chargers in the territory over the next five years. Currently, there are approximately 23 public charging stations across the Yukon that are Level 2 or 3, according to 511 Yukon. Drivers can use the Yukon government’s 511 Yukon website or app, along with other private digital platforms, to locate nearby chargers and stay updated on new installations.
While there is currently no direct incentive for charging your EV or hybrid during off-peak hours, doing so can help improve grid stability, reliability, and reduce the risk of blackouts and the use of diesel generators during peak times. A local demand-side management initiative, Beat the Peak, launched in the winter of 2022 by Northern Energy Innovation, encouraged residents to shift electricity use away from peak times (7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.). This social behaviour campaign aims to raise awareness about energy efficiency and load shifting. Our blog post on demand-side management provides further insight into this topic.
Electric vehicles now offer between 300 and 500 kilometres of highway driving range on a full charge, which is a significant increase from the 150 to 200 kilometres they offered a decade ago. The development of level 2 and 3 charging infrastructure along Yukon highways has greatly improved the feasibility of EV travel across the territory. The table below shows highway distances between Whitehorse and major Yukon communities
| Travel Destination from Whitehorse | Longest Distance Between Charging Stations |
|---|---|
| Carcross | 71 km |
| Haines Junction | 84 km |
| Faro | 184 km |
| Watson Lake | 155 km |
| Dawson | 181 km |
Yukon Climate Considerations
Maintaining a state of charge between 20% and 80% reduces thermal stress and minimizes battery degradation, but this strategy is generally only practical during Yukon’s summer months. In colder temperatures, charging to 100% may be more common, as battery efficiency and available range is reduced. Charging power also decreases during the winter, as the vehicle’s battery management system limits current to prevent stress, which can double or triple charging times. Lithium-ion batteries operate less efficiently in cold temperatures due to slowed chemical reactions caused by increased internal resistance and reduced ion flow through the electrolyte. Additional power is also drawn to heat the cabin and maintain optimal battery temperatures, typically between 15°C and 35°C, which can also affect range.
Preconditioning the battery before driving and charging during extended parking helps reduce battery stress in cold weather. Many EV charger manufacturers include features that warm the battery before charging starts. This maintains the battery at an optimal temperature, minimizes the impact of cold starts on efficiency, helps prevent deep discharge, and preserves driving range, as electric vehicles can lose charge even when they are not in use. Simple actions like storing the vehicle in a garage and keeping it charged can help mitigate the worst effects of cold temperatures.
Contributors
Author: Marie Boulerice
Reviewed By: Simon Kerkhof and Trent Gardiner
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