Alberta Motor Association

The EV Life podcast is back for another season! In season 3 we’ll be speaking to more experts and everyday Albertans as we continue to explore the world of electric vehicles. You can expect to hear interviews on lots of research and development and emerging technologies in the zero-emission vehicle industry. New episodes will be coming out every Tuesday, so don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the interviews to come: Episode 1: EV Roaming with ChargeHub: What exactly is EV roaming? Join us as we chat with Simon Pillarella from ChargeHub to talk about how they’ve joined forces with organizations, businesses, and the government to help make using public charging networks a seamless process for Canadians.   Episode 2: Off-Grid Charging with Create Solar: Today, most electric vehicle owners charge up using the electric power grid, but Create Solar is working on giving Canadians options. We’re joined by a solar engineer, Franzi Tschurtschenthaler, to discuss the options available for off-grid EV charging.   Episode 3: Recharged: EV Battery Recycling with Lithion Technologies: Lithium-ion battery recycling is a hot topic. Last season we spoke to Maria Kelleher of Kelleher Environmental to talk about EV battery recycling. This season, we continue the conversation with Lithion Technologies to learn even more about the process of recycling lithium batteries in Canada.   We want to hear from you! Have an idea for a future episode? Want to share your thoughts on the interviews we do? Or just looking to connect with like-minded Albertans on the topic of zero-emission vehicles? Then we’d love for you to join the EV Life group on the AMA Mobile App. We can’t wait to connect with you.

EV Life podcast host Krystal Maharaj and producer Allison Bench bring you a special episode for our Season 2 finale. We went out to AMA Car Care events in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary and met with Albertans like you to explore what the biggest questions are around electric vehicles. And stick around until the end, because we also have a special interview with a rural EV owner. Join AMA’s EV Life group

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we’re joined by CEO of Optiwatt Casey Donahue. Casey talks to us about how the Optiwatt app works to inform EV owners on the best times to charge their vehicles—which can help manage grid loads and further reduce emissions. Join AMA’s EV Life group Learn more about Optiwatt

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we’re joined by sustainability engineer and consultant Matt Grace who is researching the potential benefits of converting taxi fleets to EVs in Alberta. The research project, which is being spearheaded by Green Calgary and funded by Alberta Ecotrust, aims to support zero-emission goals, and identify possible challenges that may come if there is a large-scale adoption of EV taxis in the province. Join AMA’s EV Life group Green Calgary Alberta Ecotrust Projects Learn more about Matt Grace

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Stephen Wong, assistant professor at the University of Alberta in Transportation Engineering. Stephen shares some insights into research his team is working on around the use of electric vehicles in disasters, including evacuation equity and power management. Join AMA’s EV Life group Learn more about Dr. Stephen Wong

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, environmental engineer Maria Kelleher joins us to chat about the recycling of electric vehicle batteries in Canada. Kelleher, who started Toronto-based environmental consulting firm Kelleher Environmental, explains the process of recycling lithium-ion batteries, second life uses, and how companies and researchers are helping shape the future of the industry.   Join AMA’s EV Life group Learn more about Kelleher Environmental here

In this episode of the EV Life podcast we’re joined by Greg Brannon, Director of Automotive Engineering for AAA. Greg shares research that AAA has conducted on EV range testing, including how some results have differed from EV range estimates provided by auto manufacturers, as well as the advocacy work being done to ensure consumers are receiving accurate information about the vehicles they purchase.  Join AMA’s EV Life group Read the 2019 study on EV range testing here

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we’re joined by Jennifer Shillam and Dave Hunka of FortisAlberta. They share FortisAlberta’s plans for expanding EV charging infrastructure and supporting development in rural areas, plus we discuss how the province’s power grid could handle mass adoption of electric vehicles. Join AMA’s EV Life group Learn more about FortisAlberta’s Rate 62

In this episode of EV Life we’re joined by Matt Carpenter, an instructor at the Southern Institute of Technology’s School of Transportation. Matt—who has worked at SAIT for 20 years and has extensive automotive knowledge—shares how the school is preparing technicians to work on electric vehicles, hybrids, and with new and evolving technologies like regenerative breaking systems. Join AMA’s EV Life group Learn more about SAIT here

Join us for another episode of EV Life as we chat with Adam Thorn from the Pembina Institute. Thorn, who is the director of Pembina’s transportation program, shares some insights into research the think-tank has conducted around electric vehicles and why it’s so important for researchers to be exploring the future of clean energy options in Canada.   Join AMA’s EV Life group Pembina Institute Study on Electric School Buses

In this episode of the EV Life podcast we’ll dig into EV charging in Alberta. ATCO senior engineer Will York shares how the power utility company is contributing to the electrification of transportation in Alberta and more. Plus, we hear from Albertan EV owner John Epler, who joined us to talk about his experience of having to rely on public chargers to fuel his vehicle. Read more: ATCO and EVs https://electric.atco.com/en-ca/energy-future/electric-vehicles.html Join our EV Life group

Northwestern University Ph.D Candidate Jenna Trost joins us on the EV Life podcast to speak about the research she is conducting at the Dunn Lab around the environmental impacts of lithium battery production, as well as what solutions there are to this complex issue. Northwestern University’s Dunn Lab Join the conversation 

In this episode of EV Life, we’re talking about buying electric vehicles in Alberta with two dealerships, Go Auto and Martin Motor Sports. Phil Abram, CEO of Go Auto, joins us to talk about the supply and demand of EVs in Alberta along with advice on what potential buyers should be asking when considering an EV. We also chat with Chad Leys and Chris Parsons from Martin Motor Sports about the fully electric Zero Motorcycles. Join our EV Life group to connect with other EV curious and enthusiast Albertans  Read More : Go Auto Martin Motor Sports

Welcome to season two of the EV Life podcast! We’re kicking things off with a panel discussion with two Alberta EV owners, Chad Irving and Devon Award. Chad and Devon spoke to host Krystal Maharaj at AMA’s first EV Event on June 3, to share what it’s like owning and driving electric vehicles in Alberta and across Canada. Producer Allison Bench also joins the conversation to share what’s in store for season two.   Join the conversation in our EV Life community on the AMA Mobile App.   For learn more about how AMA is support EV drivers in the province, click here. https://ama.ab.ca/community/care/protecting-environment/electric-vehicles 

In the Season 1 finale of EV Life, we’ll learn more about the experiences of Albertans who own and drive electric vehicles. Host Krystal Maharaj interviews Jeff Kasbrick, the Alberta Motor Association’s Vice President of Advocacy and Operations, on the results of an EV survey conducted on behalf of AMA and the Canadian Automobile Association. Over 16,000 Canadians who drive EVs—including 1,010 Albertans—were surveyed, and the results found that their worries around range, cold weather, and battery power declined after owning an EV. Plus, a look back on Season 1 of AMA’s EV Life. READ MORE: Largest Survey of EV Owners in Canada Join the EV Life Group

In Episode 13 of EV Life, AMA’s Jeff Cummings discusses an electric vehicle road trip he took in Alberta winter—when it was -20 C. We’ll hear about his experience as a first-time EV driver including the differences he noticed, and how the car handled in Alberta’s cold weather.  READ MORE: How Winter Can Affect Your Electric Vehicle Join the EV Life group

Join us for another episode of EV Life as we sit down with Russell Belik, chair of the Auto Apprenticeship program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), on the program’s current hybrid vehicle training components and what the future may hold for automotive students in Alberta. READ MORE: NAIT’s Automotive Service Technician program EV Resources  Join the EV Life group

Sean Klug of Go Electric joins EV Life for a conversation on how buying a pre-owned electric vehicle can be a more affordable option for people eyeing the market. We learn about the company’s haggle-free business model and the most important considerations when buying a pre-owned EV.   READ MORE: Join the EV Life group  Go Electric Catch up on past episodes EV Resources

In Episode 10 of EV Life, we chat with Chris Doornbos, CEO and Director of E3 Lithium, a lithium resource technology company based in Alberta. Chris shares the company’s plans to produce lithium products via a direct extraction method by 2026. He shares insights into the distinction between this process and traditional lithium mining, and the economic and environmental implications this nascent industry will have in Alberta. READ MORE: About E3 Lithium About EV Life Join the EV Life group

The demand on Alberta's power grid will increase as more people adopt electric vehicles. In Episode 9 of EV Life, we sit down with EPCOR to learn how the company is planning for the future of grid management to accommodate for growing needs. As well, we chat with public policy researcher Aviv Fried to talk about the benefit of shifting charging patterns. READ MORE: Join the EV Life group EPCOR and EVs CBC Article on EV charging patterns by Aviv Fried