EV Life

Join us for another episode of the EV Life podcast for a conversation with Jason Arnold of EV Underground, an electric vehicle conversion shop located in Calgary, Alberta. We chat about the work Jason and his team are doing to help car owners convert their internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs. He also shares some tips for our listeners who are considering this option.   More: Join...

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we explore what the electric vehicle supply chain looks like in Canada, from mining all the way to sales. We speak to Matthew Fortier, CEO of Accelerate, to discuss the current EV supply chain in Canada and to learn how it’s evolving. Tune in to hear the conversation.   More: Join the conversation in the EV Life group Learn about Accelerate

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we’re joined by Shayna Rector Bleeker who is the co-founder of 7 Generation Capital (7Gen), which helps businesses and organizations shift their fleets to zero-emission modes of transportation. The company assists with mobilizing capital and provides the ‘know-how’ on electrifying fleets. Listen to Shayna share her insights and steps needed for fleet electri...

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Lance Mortlock, managing partner of energy and resources Canada at Ernst & Young (EY) Canada. Dr. Mortlock explains what micromobility means and how it can help expand cities and accessibility. EY conducted a study on the evolving landscape of e-mobility in Canada and we discuss some of the findings of that report. Tune in to learn mo...

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, Susan Courty, a construction electrician and leader of the Edmonton chapter of Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) joins us for a conversation on how construction sites can integrate zero-emission vehicles into their work sites. She discusses the benefits and challenges for companies to make the transition, and she also shares some information on WiRE and the w...

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, Jean-Christophe Lambert of Lithion Technologies joins us for a conversation on recycling lithium-ion batteries. Lambert shares some insights into the process of how electric vehicle and other rechargeable batteries are recycled here in Canada and how recycling technologies are evolving. More: Join the conversation in the EV Life group Learn about Lithion Tec...

Franzi Tschurtschenthaler, solar engineer at Create Solar, joins EV Life host Krystal Maharaj for a conversation on off-grid charging. Franzi tells us what off-grid charging means, and spoiler alert, it doesn’t involve moving to a cabin in the woods. But if you did want to move to a cabin in the woods, he shares some EV charging options for you, too. We also learn a little about the company’s sola...

Welcome to season three of AMA’s EV Life podcast! In our first episode of the season, we chat with Simon Pillarella, head of marketing and business development at ChargeHub. Simon joins host, Krystal Maharaj, to chat about EV roaming and a nation-wide initiative between multiple organizations, government, and businesses known as Agora. Agora was created to build awareness and educational resources...

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 m...

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...

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...

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....

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 purcha...

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...

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...

Dr. David Layzell joins the EV Life podcast to discuss zero-net transportation research in Alberta, including what hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are and how they may be used in the future. Layzell is a professor at the University of Calgary and the director of the Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) initiative. He also helped found and is an energy systems architect fo...

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 ht...

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 the EV Life podcast we’re joined by Emma Jarratt, executive editor for Electric Autonomy—a Canadian online publication that shares research and news on EVs. She shares why this platform is important and gives us some insight into how it helps inform Canadians on EVs and more. Visit Electric Autonomy Canada Join the EV Life group  

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...

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 f...

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 Alb...