High-speed hyperloop, energy-efficient homes could help Edmontonians save money as gas prices remain high

More than half of Canada’s drivers say they are getting behind the wheel less, according to a new survey.

To blame: prices at the pumps have been rising across the country for weeks now.

How bad is it?

A survey from Rates.ca shows 54 per cent of Canadians say they are driving less because of the high prices. Another 15 per cent say they plan to adjust how much they drive in the future.

In Alberta specifically, 46 per cent of drivers say they are driving less – the lowest percentage in the country.

And while it won’t help pinch pennies at the pumps, Edmontonians wanting to heat up their homes can apply for some financial assistance. The Clean Energy Improvement Program is the city’s effort to make homes more energy efficient.

Eligible residential upgrades can include anything from renewable energy such as solar panels to high-efficiency gas furnaces.

Hyperloop between Edmonton and Calgary

Meanwhile, an alternative mode of transportation between Edmonton and Calgary could start breaking ground in five years.

The company seeking to build a high-speed hyperloop between the two cities says it has secured $685 million in funding for the project

And the company says it’s ready to take the next step.

“Once it’s approved, we will have to go through three main items,” TransPod CEO Sebastien Gendron tells CityNews. “One is the environmental assessment, which is key, then the land acquisition, then the construction coming.”

READ MORE:

• EllisDon receives approval to explore high-speed rail link between Calgary and Edmonton (Jul. 8, 2021)
• Hyperloop is possible for Alberta, suggests feasibility study (Jul. 25, 2021)
• Hyperloop proposal back on track as Alberta government reaches agreement (Aug. 25, 2020)

The hyperloop could help Albertans move around more easily while reducing their carbon footprint.

“There’s economic development, job creation,” added Gendron. “Alberta, from our point of view, is leading the innovation agenda in the country. And without Alberta we won’t be able to do that.”

Travelling at 1,000 km per hour, riding the TransPod would take 45 minutes between Edmonton and Calgary. Construction for the hyperloop between the two cities is expected to begin in 2027 if all goes according to plan.