What is Holding-Back the Adoption of Electric Cars and What Can Be Done About It? (Part 1)

Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford) EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why?? This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy. Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more folks should be driving them. By-and-large, the most important thing we can do to promote EVs is to educate ourselves and others on what it means to own one, which I call EV Ownership. We will finish off the formal presentation with some stories about EV ownership. Bring your own questions as well, and we will answer them after the break. Speaker: Jim Steil Although a certified-genius (MENSA), funnily-enough, Jim hated Electrical-Engineering School - preferring people to numbers. After his Engineering Degree, he embarked on a 10-year world-tour teaching High School Physics and Chemistry. Singing, storytelling, demonstrations and hands-on experience were his tools of choice. He proudly says his students never used a textbook in 10 years of teaching. Jim then came back to Canada and spent 10 years Directional Drilling - so has paid his dues in Alberta’s Oil Patch. Then, after being laid-off in 2016, Jim felt compelled to convert his classic Volvo into an Electric Vehicle (the “E-Volvo”). This enthusiasm soon mixed with his entrepreneurial spirit and he co-founded GoElectric, where they import EVs for re-sale, and convert Classic cars into EVs. In his spare time, Jim fly-fishes, spends time with his girlfriend, Gail and “likes to make things.” Moderator: Mark Goettel Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required