As of the third quarter of 2020, just 3.5 per cent of new vehicles registered in Canada were zero emission; the majority (95.4 per cent) of these new vehicles were registered in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Alberta is much slower to adapt – but Davis Chevrolet has a plan to get Albertans on board faster. Those travelling past the dealership on Hwy 2 can see Davis Chevrolet’s newly completed solar array and stop in to look at an EV vehicle. They keep at least one on the lot at all times for interested buyers.
“We lead by example to consumers and other businesses,” says Glenn Smaha, General Manager and Partner at Davis Chevrolet GMC Buick. “General Motors’ focus is to have 30 electric models by 2025. We were early to get approved as a GMC Hummer EV dealer so we could sell the upcoming truck and SUV. We were already an approved Chevrolet Bolt EV dealer. As a Hummer EV dealer, we needed to have 50 kWh charger on site; this allowed us to explore solar. We learned we could wire our solar array right into the grid. This gave us enough support to supply power to the charger, but when the charger is not in use, it pumps power back into the grid. With the array, we cover between 20%-25% of our energy use. Since the array is highly visible on Hwy 2, it sends a message to everyone driving by that GM is committed to positive and sustainable change, and we can lead by example for other businesses and for residents.”
This is not the only way in Davis Chevrolet is supporting sustainability. The dealership is one of the handful of places in Airdrie where EV owners can charge their cars.
“Our setup also doubles as hail protection for about 20 cars,” Smaha explains about how Davis Chevrolet always pushes for the most efficient solutions.” He pauses to reflect on the many changes the dealership has put in place over the years to become a leader and example in the community. “We focus on being active, agile, involved and engaged in making eco-friendly changes alongside our manufacturing partner, General Motors. We have been an EV dealer (selling the Bolt) since 2012. We quickly got approved to sell the Hummer EV Pickup and the Hummer EV SUV. That opportunity is not open to every GM dealership; strict criteria must be met for approval.”
Davis Chevrolet is proud to be on the leading edge of solar and sustainable energy technology. Whether you are in the market for a new car or just curious about how you can own a zero or low emission vehicle, you are invited to visit the dealership, see the Bolt and (when they arrive) the Hummer EV Pickup and Hummer EV SUV and tour the solar array. Change is made by one person and one business at a time taking small steps in the right direction. Those steps add up to giant leaps forward. Davis Chevrolet is taking those steps – and leaps – and empowering everyone around them to be part of a sustainable solution. Drive forward in confidence with Davis Chevrolet.
