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A new podcast on electric vehicles (EVs) – the “Drive Electric Alabama Podcast” – released its first episode Wednesday. This podcast is now available on streaming platforms.
The podcast will feature discussions surrounding topics such as EV transition, infrastructure, funding and automobile manufacturing, as well as economic development, training and workforce development, auto sales, battery research and commercial vehicles.
Led by hosts Cedric Daniels, a former EV marketing manager for Alabama Power Company, and Michael Staley, president of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC), the nine-episode podcast series explores the impact electric vehicles (EVs) are having on the state of Alabama.
“The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition has a goal to promote clean, renewable, domestic energy sources that help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve local air quality, and increase economic development investments in our local communities,” Staley said. “The Drive Electric Alabama Podcast provides a new platform for us to educate listeners about everything going on and the benefits of EVs in the state.”
Podcast episodes will include discussions with more than a dozen Alabama leaders who are involved in automobile manufacturing and sales, economic development and government. New episodes are scheduled to be available each Wednesday through June 12. All episodes of the “Drive Electric Alabama Podcast” will be posted online at http://driveelectricalabama.com/podcast.
Guests include:
· Kenneth Boswell, Director, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
· Houston Smith, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Alabama Power
· Blake Hardwich, Executive Director, Energy Institute of Alabama
· Justin Harrison, Distribution Grid Transformation & Planning Manager, Alabama Power
· Drew Frye, Electric Vehicle Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority
· Robert Burns, Chief Administrative Officer & VP of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama
· Tom McNeal, Craft Labor & Workforce Development Program Manager, Alabama Power
· Jim Fugate, Energy Infrastructure Training & Technical Training Manager, Alabama Power
· Mitchell Watts, Vice President and Co-Owner, Town & Country Ford
· Ron Davis, President & CEO, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association
· Mike Oatridge, Executive Director, Alabama Mobility and Power Center
· Ellen McNair, Secretary, Alabama Department of Commerce
· Greg Canfield, Former Secretary, Alabama Department of Commerce
· Blair King, Business Development Director, Alabama Power Company
· Dion van Leeve, Vice President Engineering Commercial Vehicles, AutoCar Trucks
· David Nethercut, Electric Vehicle Program Manager, Transportation South
“The Drive Electric Alabama initiative is designed to educate Alabamians about EVs, and the information provided in the podcast will help fulfill that mission,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “This is a great way to further that effort in a format that is appealing to many people.”
“We are proud to support the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and Drive Electric Alabama,” said Hasin Gandhakwala, manager of electric transportation at Alabama Power. “The podcast is a great platform to educate the people of Alabama about the EV activity and growth taking place, as well as the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, including the incentive programs being offered by Alabama Power and other utilities.”
This podcast, sponsored by Alabama Power Company’s “You’re in charge” EV incentive programs, came together through a partnership involving ACFC, Drive Electric Alabama and Alabama Power, with technical support and services by Ingredient Creative. Listeners can find the podcast streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
