Test Drive

Test-driving the Future

Nexen is turning heads on Calgary streets as our new car, branded with the Nexen logo, hits the pavement. It’s a Chevrolet Volt, the world’s first commercial electric car with extended range, and we’re giving it a test drive.

This plug-in car runs off a battery which is either electrically-charged or is powered by an onboard generator. When the battery gets low as you drive, it automatically recharges via the generator which runs on gasoline. According to General Motors, the car promises better fuel efficiency and fewer greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and may represent an interesting alternative to consumers in addition to hybrids and fully electric cars. Built in North America, this technology with its gasoline-fired range extending system is part of the hydrocarbon value chain — of which we are a part — producing fuels that help this car to run.

We consider it important to monitor and understand the range of transportation technology options available as well as developments in policy related to hydrocarbons and mobility. As part of that process, we’ve decided to get behind the wheel and test drive this option for ourselves, and maybe even spark a wider discussion about transportation and our energy future.

Context on Nexen & our Volt

The work we do at Nexen is about meeting the world’s growing demand for clean, secure and affordable energy. We achieve this by responsibly developing oil and gas from conventional sources, oil sands and shale gas – focusing on cost effectively increasing our production while minimizing our environmental footprint and building strong links with the communities where we operate. We're also investing in energy-efficient technologies and monitoring new innovations beyond our core business that may lead to lower emissions, particularly when it comes to transportation-related solutions.

Transportation is so fundamental to this discussion because it accounts for a significant portion of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Looking at a barrel of oil from the time it's produced to when it's used by consumers – on a wells to wheels analysis – approximately 80% of oil’s GHG emissions come from vehicle combustion, making the goal of reducing GHG emissions-related to transportation a responsibility not only of industry and government but also consumers.

As oil and gas producers work to reduce the intensity of their production, governments continue to require the automotive industry to produce more fuel-efficient cars. Consumers, meanwhile, have a critical role to play in terms of how we travel and what cars we choose to drive. Ultimately, these consumer decisions play the biggest role in determining whether emissions from this source decline or continue to grow.

Nexen employees in Calgary learning about our Volt at the launch event for the car.

Answers to your FAQs

Why is an oil company driving an electric car?
According to General Motors, the Volt is more than an electric car. It has a range-extender which means that in addition to running on a battery it also produces electricity through a generator which runs on gasoline. It combines pure electric vehicle performance for short commuter trips with a gasoline-fired generator to provide the range needed for a longer trip. As this car uses gasoline, it is, in fact, a part of the hydrocarbon value chain, of which we are a part.

We believe that in order to meet the world’s growing energy needs, we’re going to need all forms of safe, secure and affordable energy. For that reason, as a global energy leader, we're interested in the evolution of powertrain technology (internal combustion engines, hybrids, electric motors, fuel cells,) and alternative power sources (biofuels and electricity) which will play an important role in the energy future we will share.

How does this technology work?
General Motors describes the Volt as an extended-range electric car. That means it can drive for an estimated 50 kilometres on the battery alone which works well for short commuter trips. What makes this vehicle interesting is there’s also an onboard generator, powered by gasoline, which kicks in to recharge the battery as you drive when it starts to get low. This allows the car to travel an additional 600 kilometres (approximately), potentially offering consumers a new level of convenience in a more fuel-efficient car. We’re interested in finding out how this technology performs and that’s why we’re getting behind the wheel for ourselves to give it a test-drive.

What’s the bigger picture when it comes to our energy future?
Meeting the global demand for clean, secure and affordable energy has never been more challenging.

According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA), hydrocarbons — oil, coal and natural gas — are expected to remain the dominant energy source for decades to come. And oil-derived fuels, without question, will remain the world’s primary mobility fuel of choice. Emerging economies, led by China and India, are driving global demand for fossil fuels higher. 

We continue to rely on oil and gas because it’s efficient and affordable. Renewable and alternative energy sources will become a bigger part of the equation — but it’s going to take considerable time and investment before they become a viable and competitive option. However, we must stay engaged in these transportation developments, and “test-drive the future” including new mobility options like the Volt.

What is Nexen doing to address the climate change issue?
Today, we continue to look at ways of cost-effectively taking action on climate change – improving energy efficiency within our operations, seeking technological solutions to reduce our emissions at facilities like Long Lake and Buzzard and investing in renewable energy – all key steps in addressing GHG performance challenges and creating a more sustainable energy future. Read more about our action on climate change. 

Who drives Nexen’s Volt?
Our Volt will be driven by various Calgary-based employees who frequently attend community engagement sessions or Nexen-supported events in and around our head office. Keep your eyes peeled for our car and be sure to give the driver a wave!