From concerns about winter driving to questions about charging stations and battery life, people in this province had plenty of questions about electric vehicles (EVs) this summer. College of the North Atlantic (CNA) took those conversations on the road, bringing an electric vehicle and an industry expert directly to communities across the province.
The CNA/ Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Electric Vehicle Roadshow was designed to increase public awareness of EV technology, address common misconceptions, and support the adoption of electric vehicles in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Leading the Roadshow was Dion Skeard, an instructor in CNA’s Automotive Service Technician program at Bay St. George campus. Throughout the summer, Skeard visited 12 campuses and communities in Newfoundland, giving residents an opportunity to see an EV up close, ask questions, and learn more about the technology.
“It was wonderful engaging with so many people from the public, CNA and RBC,” says Skeard.
While interest in EVs was evident throughout the province, Skeard noticed some differences in the conversations he had with residents in urban and rural communities.
“Most people in urban centres were positive compared to the opinions about EVs in rural areas. Most people in rural areas had concerns about range and winter driving,” he says.
Regardless of location, many of the same questions came up throughout the Roadshow. Residents wanted to know how much an electric vehicle costs, how far it can travel on a single charge, how long charging takes, and how long the battery will last. For Skeard, these conversations highlighted the importance of providing accurate, accessible information to help people better understand EV technology.
“What surprised me the most about my visits was the lack of knowledge about charging stations and how quickly you can charge during travel.”
Having an electric vehicle on site proved to be one of the most valuable parts of the Roadshow. Rather than simply talking about how EVs operate, Skeard could walk visitors through the vehicle.
“I was able to explain how the vehicle is charged, its components, operation, and driving characteristics. I noticed larger centres like St. John’s have a lot more EVs and the public had far more knowledge.”
While Skeard encountered questions and concerns about EV ownership, he says most people were receptive to learning more about the technology. During one visit, a gentleman expressed concerns about the availability of charging stations across Newfoundland and Labrador, believing the limited infrastructure made electric vehicles impractical for residents.
Skeard was able to share information about the province’s charging network, including approximately 120 public charging stations and more than 220 public and private sector Level 2 charging ports. He believes the conversation helped the visitor better understand the options available to EV drivers, and that was the whole purpose of the roadshow.
“Surprisingly, I did not experience a lot of skeptical people while conversing about EVs.”
Beyond answering questions about electric vehicles, the Roadshow also provided an opportunity to highlight CNA’s growing role in preparing the province for the transition to EV technology.
Through its work in this area, CNA is advancing training and education related to EV first responders, service and maintenance, and charging station installation and maintenance. This includes opportunities to upskill instructors and automotive technicians, along with collaboration involving government and Crown agencies to support the expansion of the province’s EV charging network.
For Skeard, initiatives like the Roadshow are important not only for increasing public awareness, but also for demonstrating how CNA is responding to changes within the automotive industry and preparing students for emerging technologies.
And while the Roadshow may have answered many questions, Skeard believes there are still misconceptions about electric vehicles that need to be addressed, particularly around battery longevity, driving range and the availability of charging infrastructure.
“One thing I wish more people understood about EVs is that battery technology has come a long way in terms of longevity and rang,” he says.
With EV technology continuing to advance and charging infrastructure expanding across the province, Skeard hopes the Roadshow has helped residents feel more informed about their transportation options.
“Many people suffer from ‘range anxiety’ but it is easier and more convenient than ever to operate an EV in our province.”
