The Alberta government has escalated its opposition to the federal Liberal government's electric vehicle (EV) strategy, sending a formal letter urging the Carney administration to abandon its plans. The letter, obtained by the Calgary Herald, outlines a series of objections, including concerns over high costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, and the economic impact on Alberta's fossil fuel-dependent economy.

Alberta's Energy Minister, Sonya Savage, described the federal EV push as "lunacy" in a recent statement, arguing that the transition timeline is unrealistic and fails to account for regional disparities. "The federal government is imposing a one-size-fits-all approach that ignores the realities of provinces like Alberta," Savage said. "We need policies that support all energy sectors, not just those favored by Ottawa."

The letter highlights the province's reliance on oil and gas revenues, which account for nearly 20% of Alberta's GDP. Officials warn that a rapid shift to EVs could destabilize the economy and lead to job losses in the energy sector. Critics, however, counter that delaying the transition risks leaving Canada behind in the global race to decarbonize transportation.

Industry analysts note that the dispute reflects broader tensions between federal climate goals and provincial autonomy. "This is a classic clash between national ambitions and regional realities," said Mark Jaccard, an energy policy expert at Simon Fraser University. "The challenge is finding a balance that doesn't alienate key stakeholders."

The federal government has yet to respond to Alberta's letter, but sources indicate that Ottawa remains committed to its EV targets, including a goal of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. The standoff could have significant implications for Canada's clean energy agenda, particularly as other provinces weigh in on the debate.