Plugged In

We all knew and expected government EV rebate and incentive programs would end, but is now a good time to expect electric vehicles to stand on their own against less-expensive ICE vehicles? To get some perspective on this, and on other issues facing Canada's automotive industry — and as you know there are many — Global Automakers of Canada CEO and president David Adams provides some great insights into where the EV segment is going in Canada, what needs to be done to keep the adoption momentum going, and of course, tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One couldn't fault Toyota for feeling a little smug these days, as they are reaping the benefits — or at least not suffering as other automakers — of not pushing all their chips into the all-electric vehicle pot. They certainly took a lot of heat these past few years for not pivoting quicker to build and sell EVs, but now that wait-and-see attitude seems to be paying off. On this episode of our special View from the C-Suite podcast series, Toyota Canada President and CEO Cyril Dimitris sits down to talk about how the company plans to keep its very strong electrified vehicle sales in 2024 going through 2025 and beyond. One of many success stories is the all-electric Toyota BZ4x, which will soon be available in provinces besides B.C. and Quebec, where it has been on sale for a year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ford of Canada sells three all-electric vehicles, the F-150 Lightning pickup truck, the E-Transit cargo van and the Mustang March-E, the latter of which outsold it's gasoline powered stablemates three-to- one in 2024.  That all contributed to a fantastic sales year last year for Ford's EV segment, posting an amazing 66.1 per cent increase. On this episode of our special View from the C-Suite series, Andrew McCredie talks with Paul Roy, the man who oversees Ford of Canada's Model e program.  Among many talking points, Paul cites the federal and provincial incentives, that have been paused, as integral to maintaining an upward trajectory of EV sales in this country. Without them, he expects sales to dip in the coming year, but has no doubt that electric vehicles will continue to find new buyers across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't been paying attention, here's a newsflash: Kia is making some of the most stylish and most technologically advanced all-electric vehicles available in Canada. And the great news is, as you'll hear from Kia Canada vice-president and COO Elias El-Achhab on this episode of our special View from the C-Suite podcast series, there are two more all-new Kia EVs coming to Canada very soon.  He'll also explain why Kia Canada is investing in public charging, and recount his first-ever experience with electric vehicles way back in the mid-Nineties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Way back in 2019, Volvo committed to building nothing but ‘electrified' vehicles by 2022, and hit that mark with a mix of mild-hybrids, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles. The global brand also laid out plans to build nothing but vehicles with a plug by 2023, but last year adjusted that to 90 per cent with the remaining 10 per cent to consist of mild hybrid models. On this episode of our special View from the C-Suite podcast series, Volvo Canada managing director Matt Girgis joins us to talk about the brand's strong EV sales in 2024 and how they plan to build on that momentum despite EV incentives going away. We also talk about what role governments at all level can play in furthering EV adoption in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Flamand of Hyundai Canada sits down with Andrew McCredie to talk about his company's strong presence in the EV sector in Canada and what the future looks like in that segment.  His company is firing on all kilowatts with 2024 being a very strong sales year for Hyundai in Canada. Hyundai sales improved 13.9 per cent over 2023.  And on the electrified front — that being a mix of hybrids, plug-hybrids and all- electrics — Hyundai delivered 45,159 vehicles to Canadian customers, representing a whopping 35.1 per cent year-over-year increase. Hear his plans how to keep that strong trend going into 2025 and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of our special View from the C-Suite podcast series, Audi Canada President and VW Groups Canada and CEO Vito Paladino joins the podcast to talk about why headwinds will not slow these automaker's all-electric vehicle plans.  He also explains why he welcomes the challenge of Chinese-built EVs, and how he's not too concerned about the disappearance of government incentives and rebates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've heard about the electric vehicle revolution, but what about the electric landscaping revolution? Since 2000 a New Westminster, BC company called The Silent Gardener has committed to reducing its carbon footprint in a business that traditionally has relied heavily on fossil fuels to get the job done. Today, its entire fleet of work vehicles is all-electric, as is all the landscaping equipment. Company owner Sheldon Ridout joins the podcast today to tell us about the philosophy behind his enterprise, how he and his employees manage relying just on electricity to power their work trucks and landscaping equipment, and his thoughts on the latest vehicle to join the fleet, a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facing the very real prospect of tumbling into outright irrelevance, storied marque Jaguar is rolling the dice on a complete transformation. The plan, with the first new model expected in late 2026, involves becoming a low-volume, high price, all-electric automaker going toe to toe with high-end automakers Bentley, Aston Martin and even Rolls-Royce.  On today's episode of the Plugged In Podcast, David Booth, a lifelong Jaguar fan incidentally, questions not only the plan itself but more importantly, the timing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Battery degradation. Like range anxiety, charging infrastructure and cold-weather running, how long a new electric vehicle's battery will last is one of the very real concerns would-be, first-time EV buyers have when considering to go all-electric. Battery degradation is a big deal. No one wants to see their range go from say, 400 kilometres to 300 kilometres during the life of their vehicle. On this week's episode we're diving into some real-world battery degradation data with Charlotte Argue, a senior manager with Geotab who recently wrote an extensive paper on the subject based on information compiled by the company over the last five years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the more contentious issues surrounding electric vehicles in Canada are so-called ZEV mandates, which sets target dates for EV sales. Several provinces have such mandates, including British Columbia and Quebec, but it is the federal government mandate that has really puts stakes in the ground.  As a reminder, Canada's zero emission vehicle mandate requires automakers ensure that 20 per cent in 2026, 60 per cent in 2030 and 100 per cent in 2035 of their vehicles sold in Canada are ZEVs. The PBO report set out to find if other words are these ZEV targets are realistic.  The short answer, according to the report findings, is they are not. To discuss this and other issues — including Chinese EVs — is Global Automakers of Canada president David Adams, an industry expert specializes in analyzing the disruption and evolution of both the automobile and the automotive industry in Canada. That includes zero emission vehicles and their adoption as well as the regulatory environment necessary to support the adoption of automated and connected vehicles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Misinformation. Add that to hunger, thirst and war as existential threats to our survival. In this age of dubious news sources, weaponized artificial intelligence and bad state actors, society has never been so polarized.  That's certainly true of the electric vehicle segment, where bogus studies from both sides of the issue muddy the waters and further confuse consumers. Our guest Dan Caesar, and the team he leads at Fully Charged and Everything Electric, has made it a career to provide honest reporting and balanced viewpoints to the pressing issue of sustainable living, driving and, well, existing.  We start off with a chat about the past, present and future of EVs then transition to discussing the upcoming Everything Electric Show, taking place in Vancouver in early September. And at the end of the episode, which marks the end of Season 8 of Plugged In, Andrew provides a code to get you 20 per cent off tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just as electric vehicles are seen as a sustainable solution to the world's transportation needs, solar energy is considered essential to achieving our planet's clean energy needs.  Which makes the combination of the two seem only natural. That's certainly what GoSun founder and CEO Patrick Sherwin thought, and the result is a clever, roof-mounted and expandable solar power panel that plugs directly into the vehicle that is carrying it.  It's an obvious solution for off-grid camping, van lifers and work sites, but it's also an elegant solution of using the sun's rays to charge up your car's battery pack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

User-case is a term often associated with electric vehicles, as while some people's needs and requirements of a vehicle can be perfectly suited to an EV, others will find major shortfalls in going all-electric.  The same is true for heavy trucks and buses, and one of the clear winning user cases for an EV bus is the variety that picks up and drops off school children. To prove that point, Ontario-based Pollution Probe teamed with several partners on the Calgary Electric School Bus Pilot Program.  The eight-month, real-world test saw an all-electric Blue Bird bus do daily routine routes for a number of months in Calgary. Most importantly, many of those school days were in the depths of a Prairie winter, so the findings are relevant for many school districts across Canada. Our guest on today's Plugged In podcast is Cedric Smith, Pollution Probe's director of transportation and one of the key players in the pilot program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It all started in the depths of Covid, when Sloane Paul wanted to make her classic Bronco more ‘driver-friendly,' and not so loud. But when she searched for a company that could convert her beautiful truck into an electric vehicle near her Toronto home, she came up empty handed.  The entrepreneur in her sensed an opportunity, and after convincing her clever brother Tom Chep to join forces with her and figure out how to turn the Bronco into an EV, the duo created a company to do just that for others who want the benefits of an EV powertrain — smooth, quiet, easy to drive — combined with the sentimentality of a classic vehicle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Bokor is the host of the EV Revolution Show on YouTube, and for years has done some of the most in-depth sales tracking of electric vehicles in Canada. He's also a loud and proud Tesla, owner and while he does see some logic to the recent upheavals to the automaker's workforce and operating environment, he can't help but admit he is a little concerned about the direction Elon Musk is taking the company.  Ken remains bullish about EV adoption in Canada, and to prove the point lists off a number of coming-soon EVs as proof that global automakers are far from folding the tent when it comes to all-electrics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're kicking off Season 8 of the Plugged In podcast with guest Nathan Yang, the Vice-President and Chief Product Officer for Flo, a Quebec-based company that has installed over 100,000 public, private and residential EV chargers since its founding in 2009. We begin with a birds-eye view of Canada's public charging network — the successes, failures and possible solutions — then dive into on how Flo is playing a part, along with a number of other charging solution companies, in expanding and improving the public charging infrastructure across North America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increasingly we're seeing fully electric cargo vans and trucks zipping around our neighbourhoods as an increasing number of businesses are discovering the benefits of going electric. On this episode of the Plugged In podcast, host Andrew McCredie is joined by Charlotte Argue Senior Manager, Sustainable Mobility at Canada-based Geotab, the world's largest telematics company. Charlotte has been active in the electric vehicle space since way back in 2009, and her current job is to focus on enabling fleets in reducing carbon emissions with data-driven solutions, and sharing aggregated insights to inform large-scale vehicle electrification strategies. She is a subject matter expert in fleet electrification and a champion for connected vehicle technology solutions in the EV industry.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the Plugged In podcast we welcome back long-time friend of the show Ken Bokor, one of the country's pre-eminent EV experts. Not only does the Toronto-based host of the EV Revolution Show on YouTube know the technical aspects of electric vehicles, but his detailed research into sales data also provides an up-to-date snapshot of where things stand in terms of EV adoption in Canada. We'll hear his thoughts on the headwinds that electric vehicles sales and production are currently experiencing, then we'll talk about which all-new EVs he's most excited about and why. If you're in the market for an electric vehicle, this is a show you should listen to. And, of course, subscribe to.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Road tripping and garage orphans represent two of the more pressing EV charging infrastructure issues that are holding back some from purchasing an electric vehicle. On this week's episode of Plugged In, we talk with a B.C.-based entrepreneur Kevin Brett who has just launched a new start-up company that provides a solution to that problem. Blossom EV is an innovative web platform that uses a shared economy business model to help EV drivers locate, access and reserve charging sessions at Level 2 chargers at the homes of other EV owners.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever ride in an all-electric taxi cab? Didn't think so. While it's true more and more Uber drivers are understanding the benefits of picking people up in an EV, traditional taxi fleets across the country have yet to see the electric light. On this week's episode of Plugged In we try and answer that question with two guests. Matt Grace is a Calgary based sustainability consultant and researcher who is currently working on a study with Green Calgary and funded by Alberta Ecotrust to look into why there is just one EV taxi in all of Alberta. And Darryl Kolewaski is the guy who owns that EV cab. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most important piece of equipment on a vehicle is the tire. It's why tire strategy plays such a critical role in Formula 1. Safety and performance are hallmarks of high-quality tires, but so too is efficiency. And in the world of electric vehicles, efficiency is key. In the early days of EVs there was no such thing as tires engineered and designed with the unique qualities, and demands, of an electric vehicle in mind. But that's changed, as many of the world's leading tire manufacturers are bringing EV-specific tires to market. On this week's episode of Plugged In, Andrew talks with tire expert Steve Bourassa about why you should install EV tires on your EV, and what you should look for in an EV tire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An integral part of Canada's ongoing role in the electric vehicle revolution is education, and this week we hear from a university student who played a key role in the development of Project Arrow, Canada's first EV prototype. Andrew Genovese is a fourth-year student at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario, and is a shining example of our next generation of bright minds who will continue the evolution of the EV segment in the country. His story, and the story of OUT's involvement in the ambitious project underscores the importance of the relationship between post-secondary education institutions and the private sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back after the summer break with a bang. Host Andrew McCredie is joined by Robert Lewellyn, whose resume includes stand-up comic, playwright, actor (he starred in the iconic 'Red Dwarf' series for 22 years) and is the author of 15 published books. He is also an electric vehicle advocate whose YouTube channel 'Fully Charged' boasts more than a million subscribers, and whose Fully Charged Live event touches down in Canada for the first time Sept. 8-10 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by Tony Calabro, the chief product officer of InductEV. The Pennsylvania-based company is at the forefront of electric vehicle wireless charging, and has teamed with Volvo on a real-world proof of product test program in Sweden. For the past year, 20 Volvo XC40 Recharge taxicabs have been using four wireless charge pads embedded in the ground at taxi stands in the Gothenburg green city zone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by auto shop expert Kevin Fitzpatrick to find out how the hundred of thousands of independent repair shops across North America are preparing for the EV Revolution. Adapting to new technologies is nothing new for your corner mechanic, but the transition to servicing and repairing electric vehicles truly does represent an adapt-or-die scenario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by automotive journalist Ken Bokor to take a step back from the steady drum beat of new EV reveals and refocus the conversation on the pros, and the cons, of making your next vehicle purchase that comes with a plug.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie talks Extreme E racing, carbon credits, and how realistic electric vehicle adoption rates are with Jamie Keech, co-founder of Vancouver-based carbon offset investment firm Vida Carbon, a company that focuses on financing high quality sustainable carbon credit projects globally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by architect James Silvester, who has designed a competition-winning EV charging station designed for people as much as vehicles. Watch a video on the EV charging station of the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by Postmedia Driving's senior writer David Booth, whose in-depth investigating of the President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act reveals a funding model that could derail Canada's EV battery building segment before it even starts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by Nino Di Cara, founder and president of Electric Autonomy Canada, the country's go-to resource for all things electric vehicles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie is joined by Canadian EV expert Ken Bokor to discuss what consumers looking for a new EV can expect to find in showrooms in the coming months. Hint: lots of choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie kicks off Season 5 with guest Jeff Turner, Director, Clean Mobility at Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, discussing the much-needed escalation of EV charging infrastructure in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Andrew McCredie gives key takeaways from past interview on Canada's expanding role in electric vehicle development and manufacturing. He also recaps Season 4 of his podcast. 

President of Imperium Motors Canada Christian Dubois joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about how his company is pushing to crack Canada's electric vehicle market with its competitively priced made-in-China crossover SUV, the Imperium ET5.

Formula E promoter and OSS Group executive vice president Anne Roy joins host Andrew McCredie to preview the 2022 Vancouver E-Prix. The weekend will mark just the second time the all-electric open-wheel series has come to Canada.

Driving.ca senior writer David Booth joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about his new column, Range Finder. He shares results for tests of the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and other vehicles.  

Alberta Motor Transport Association president Chris Nash joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about the Alberta Zero Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration, a project that will see design, integration, and trialing of two class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks between Edmonton and Calgary.

Jaguar Racing team director James Barclay joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about the rise of Formula E.

California-based consultant Mark Concannon joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about the future of autonomous vehicles.

Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about how Project Arrow — an original, full-build zero-emission concept vehicle — is Canadian suppliers' one big chance to reshape the electric-vehicle supply chain.

Magna Powertrain president Tom Rucker joins host Andrew McCredie to discuss supplying parts to electric automakers.

All About Imports owner Lou Trottier joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about how the right-to-repair issues are impacting car owners and the corner mechanic shop.

BCIT Associate Dean of Automotive Mubasher Faruki join host Andrew McCredie to talk about training the next generation of automotive technicians and the potential for right-to-repair issues entering the electric vehicle market.

Guest Andrew McCredie joins Plugged In host Andrew McCredie for an unconventional interview about electric vehicles.

Gearhead and driving.ca expert Matthew Guy joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about the appeal of electric pickup trucks and potential for the electric Ford F-150 to change the way people work and play.

Mobility futurist James Cater, principal consultant at Vision Mobility, joins host Andrew McCredie to weigh the likelihood of certain electric vehicle technologies being adopted by the mainstream.

British adventurer and Guinness World Record holder Chris Ramsey will become the first person to drive from Pole to Pole in a bid to raise awareness of climate change and the role that electric cars can play in reducing our carbon footprint. He speaks to host Andrew McCredie about his upcoming expedition.

Mountain Pass Performance founder Sasha Anis joins host Andrew McCredie to discuss aftermarket upgrades that can tune electric vehicles into performance cars.

All EV vice president Jérémie Bernardin talks to host Andrew McCredie about the demand for used electric vehicles and the details buyers need to know before making a purchase. 

Auto Motive Power CEO Anil Paryani joins host Andrew McCredie to talk about evolving battery technology. Paryani has worked as senior engineer at Honda R&D before becoming the battery management algorithm lead at Tesla for its Model S and Roadster. Today, his latest venture, a California-based company, provides mobility charging solutions for vehicles ranging from scooters to airplanes.