In Kemptville on April 26, 2026

On Sunday April 26, Sustainable North Grenville will bring back the popular Sustainability Fair and Market and EV Show to the North Grenville Community Centre.  It will run from 10am to 3pm and is free for all to attend.  We’ve come to start associating this with spring and it really feels like coming out of hibernation because we get to see so many of our friends and neighbours venturing out and seeing their smiles again.

As we began planning this event even before Christmas, we asked ourselves the usual questions:  What needs to change?  What stays the same?  What will people want to see and experience?  How will we write the article on the EV show?

And now, gas is at $1.60+ per litre.  Driving a Civic 100km will cost $11.  An F-150?  About $19.  But we live in North Grenville, and we commute more than the average Canadian.  This author drove 40,000km/year for years.  In an average Canadian vehicle achieving 8.6L/100km, that would cost me $5,500/year, nearly $450/month of after-tax money. 

The electrics that you will see on April 26 change this equation.  This author also pays the highest electricity rates in the province. Driving on electricity with a modest electric car works out to $2.25 per 100km.  Over 40,000km, that saves nearly $400/month of those after-tax dollars.  Longer warranties mean more coverage with this all this driving.  More still – instead of a warranty service every 5-8,000km, requiring me to find another way to get to work, the first service occurs at 240,000km (coolant change).  Until then it’s only tire swaps, wiper blades, and I like a seasonal brake service to get a trained technician’s eyes on the components given our climate & salt.

When looking at lifetime costs, math favours the electric vehicles.  Financing your next vehicle can reveal lower monthly costs from day one, given fuel and maintenance savings, sometimes insurance too. The math works out in favour of the electrics on lifetime emissions too, given Ontario’s grid and even more so with overnight charging.  Living in rural areas and driving a lot doesn’t put an EV out of consideration, it’s more reason to consider one.  Many now offer vehicle-to-load to power our rural homes/appliances through power outages too.

What hasn’t changed is the first question – does it make sense for your needs?  This is where we invite you to the show to come talk to your neighbours who’ve racked up lots of km on these cars through our winters and on long trips.  See some of the latest cars and even take some for a test drive.  A presentation on EVs will take place in the theatre in the afternoon.

We’re glad to be sponsored by some of our local dealers to enable us to use the arena so we don’t have to worry about spring rain spoiling the fun.  Come see the latest from Myers GM Kemptville, Smiths Falls Nissan and Smiths Falls Kia (partnering with Brockville Kia), Kanata Mitsubishi, Ottawa Polestar and Volvo, Barrhaven Ford and Star Motors Mercedes.

Bring your questions.  And bring your driver’s license if you want to take a spin.  Watch our socials and our website for more information as the event draws nearer.