Electric vehicle owners in Alberta say a lack of reliable and available chargers is a continued concern.
This is according to the results of a recent national survey by AMA. In Alberta, 1,120 people took part in the survey, with the vast majority saying they would most likely replace their current vehicle by purchasing a new electric one, even with the concerns about charging.
Vice-President of Corporate Purpose Jane Flower says the number of people switching from gas-powered to electric-powered continues to increase.
“Any new technology has its growing pains, but the lower fuel and maintenance costs, along with the convenience of at-home charging, often outweighs any challenges with public charging,” Flower says.
According to the study, 53 per cent of electric vehicle owners in the province said they were satisfied or completely satisfied with the overall experience of public direct current fast-charging, while just under 47 per cent said they were satisfied or completely satisfied with the overall experience of public Level 2 charging. The number of charging locations, along with how easy they are to find, how reliable they are and what they cost are among were among the reasons reported that users said they weren’t satisfied.
“In 2024, nearly 15,000 EVs were registered in Alberta—a 150 [per cent] increase from only two years before—and that number is continuing to increase,” Flower says. “With more Albertans choosing to make the switch, it will be important that infrastructure keeps up with the demand.”
Other concerns brought up from the survey include issues with the extreme cold with 20 per cent of respondees saying they had moderate to serious problems with their battery charging slower than usual or having a lower travel range.
The majority of respondents said maintenance on their electric vehicle is better than their previous gas-powered vehicles and it costs less to power the vehicle.
