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In this episode we sit down with Steve Birkett, EV Educator and Founder of Plug and Play EV. We discuss everything from NEVI Funding to EV Road tripping and how far the technology has come in the past decade.
Summary
Steve Burkett, founder of Plug and Play EV, discusses his journey as an EV driver and content creator. He shares his experiences driving a Bolt EV in the Northeast, including the challenges of winter driving and charging infrastructure. Steve emphasizes the importance of educating potential EV buyers and offers various platforms for sharing information. He also discusses the changing perceptions of EVs and the need to address concerns about range and charging. The conversation then shifts to the topic of NEV funding and the progress of charging infrastructure development across different states. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of EV infrastructure and marketing, trends and highlights from the auto show, the impact of software on brand loyalty, and the challenges and opportunities for traditional automakers in the EV market.

Takeaways
Driving an EV in the Northeast during winter can present challenges due to slower charging and reduced range.Educating potential EV buyers is crucial to address misconceptions and concerns about range and charging.NEV funding is driving the development of charging infrastructure across different states, with a focus on filling gaps along travel corridors.The implementation of charging infrastructure involves coordination with utilities and can be delayed by permitting and utility work.The perception of EVs is slowly changing, but there is still a need to address concerns and provide accurate information to potential buyers. EV infrastructure and marketing are crucial for EV adoption, and initiatives like the Chargeway Beacon and interactive road trip planners help build confidence in EV ownership.The auto show showcased a growing number of EVs, with notable reveals from Polestar and Kia. EV startups like Rivian are finding success by creating their own events and focusing on brand experience.Software plays a significant role in brand loyalty, as it allows for personalized and updated experiences. Traditional automakers need to prioritize software development to compete in the EV market.Traditional automakers have made missteps in the EV market, but there is still a lot of opportunity for growth and market share. Tesla remains the leader in EV adoption and market perception.The EV industry is still in its early stages, and there is much more to learn and develop in terms of technology, marketing, and customer experiences.Keywords
EV, electric vehicles, Bolt EV, Northeast, winter driving, charging infrastructure, EV education, range anxiety, NEV funding, charging network, EV infrastructure, marketing, auto show, trends, brand loyalty, software, traditional automakers, challenges, opportunities


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Summary
Rustam Kocher, a retired expert in the electric transportation space, shares his experiences and insights on the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial trucking industry in this two part episode (check out episode 1 if you haven't already!). The conversation discusses the operational standpoint and capabilities of electric trucks, the generations of electric trucks and their development, and the design considerations for electric trucks. It also explores the advantages of starting with Gen 5 vehicles and Tesla's approach to electric truck development. The maintenance comparison between electric and combustion trucks, the reduction in maintenance costs for electric trucks, and the impact of electric trucks on chassis durability are discussed. The importance of charging infrastructure, certification and training for maintenance, and transitioning fleets to electric vehicles are also covered. This conversation explores various topics related to electric semis and their impact on the transportation industry. The discussion covers the flexibility of power distribution, the benefits of electric school buses, and the potential of vehicle-to-grid technology. It also delves into the disadvantages of hybrid trucks and the importance of considering total cost of ownership (TCO) when making fleet decisions. The conversation highlights the role of data in fleet management and the need for improved charging infrastructure and utility support.

Takeaways
Electric trucks are becoming increasingly capable, and the major OEMs are working on developing more advanced generations of electric trucks.The design of electric trucks is evolving, with a focus on starting from a clean slate and optimizing the vehicle for electric powertrains.Electric trucks require less maintenance compared to combustion trucks, resulting in cost savings for fleet operators.The development of charging infrastructure is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric trucks, and partnerships are forming to accelerate the rollout of charging networks. Flexibility in power distribution is crucial for efficiently charging electric vehicles, especially in commercial fleets.Electric school buses offer lower emissions and the ability to store and provide power during peak demand periods.Vehicle-to-grid technology allows electric vehicles to contribute power back to the grid during times of high demand.Hybrid trucks are often seen as a suboptimal solution due to the challenges of integrating two drivetrains.Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a key factor in the adoption of electric vehicles, with electric delivery vans already proving to be TCO positive.Data plays a crucial role in optimizing charging infrastructure and managing fleet operations.Utilities need to adapt to the increased demand for power from electric vehicles and provide faster service to support electrification.Improved charging infrastructure and utility support are necessary to accelerate the adoption of electric semis.Watch the full episode on Youtube
Also if you are looking to either buy a Tesla or even test drive one, feel free to use our referral code.

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SummaryRustam Kocher, a retired expert in the electric transportation space, shares his experiences and insights on the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial trucking industry. He discusses the early adoption of electric trucks, the challenges of organizational change, and the development of the Megawatt Charging Standard (MCS) connector. Rustam highlights the importance of getting executives to experience electric vehicles and the need for purpose-built charging infrastructure. He also explains the advantages of battery electric vehicles over hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Overall, Rustam's expertise sheds light on the progress and potential of electric transportation in the commercial space. The conversation covers various topics related to charging infrastructure and electric trucks. It discusses the challenges of using hydrogen as an energy source, including containment issues and hydrogen embrittlement. The comparison of charging times for hydrogen and electric trucks is explored, highlighting the alignment of charging time with driver breaks. The design parameters for charging infrastructure and the capabilities of the Tesla Semi are also discussed. The involvement of fueling stations in the charging infrastructure and the expansion of charging infrastructure to various industries are examined. The conversation touches on wireless charging and inductive solutions, as well as the potential for autonomous charging in the future. The weight considerations for electric trucks and the improvements in battery technology are also addressed, along with the operational changes required for electric trucks.
Takeaways1. Early adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial trucking industry is gaining momentum.2. Organizational change and winning people over are crucial for the successful transition to electric vehicles.3. The development of the Megawatt Charging Standard (MCS) connector is a significant step towards standardizing charging infrastructure.4. Battery electric vehicles offer several advantages over hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, including cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Hydrogen faces challenges in terms of containment and compatibility with existing infrastructure.5. Charging times for hydrogen and electric trucks can be aligned with driver breaks.6. Design parameters for charging infrastructure include power requirements and safety considerations.7. Fueling stations are increasingly getting involved in the charging infrastructure.8. Wireless charging and inductive solutions are being explored for electric trucks.9. Autonomous charging and operational changes are expected in the future.Improvements in battery technology are reducing the weight of electric trucks.
Watch the full episode on Youtube
Also if you are looking to either buy a Tesla or even test drive one, feel free to use our referral code.

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In this episode, we sit down with David Welch, he's Detroit Bureau Chief at Bloomberg LP and Author of "Charging Ahead." His book about General Motors' CEO, Mary Barra, and the transformation of the 120 year-old company. We discuss the current state of the domestic automotive industry and the challenges presented by electrification, EV charging, GM's challenges with electrification and more!
Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in EV technology and find out what you can expect from the EV market in the next few years. From EV charging infrastructure to renewable energy sources, this episode covers it all!
Summary
The conversation covers various topics related to electric vehicles and the challenges faced by automakers, particularly General Motors (GM). The discussion highlights gaps in electric vehicle coverage and the need for better consumer education. It also explores the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles and the skepticism within the industry. The conversation delves into GM's restructuring efforts and the difficulties in executing their electric vehicle plans. The book 'Charging Ahead' by David Welch, which focuses on GM's transformation into an electric vehicle maker, is also discussed. The conversation with David Welch covers the challenges faced by General Motors (GM) in the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Welch discusses the struggles with EV growth and the unexpected leveling off of EV sales along with why to still be optimistic. Plus what automakers can do to help move EVs. He also highlights the difficulties GM has faced in producing battery packs and writing software for autonomous vehicles. The conversation delves into the future of Mary Barra's leadership and the potential for changes in GM's leadership. Welch also addresses the challenges with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and dealerships in promoting and selling EVs.
Takeaways
Need for better consumer education and coverage of electric vehicles to dispel misconceptions and highlight the benefits and ease of ownership.Traditional automakers (especially GM) are finding out that their experience ICE vehicles has not led to as smooth of ramp up in EVs as they had predicted.The growth of electric vehicle sales has slowed down, but it is not in retreat. EV startups face financial challenges and competition from established automakers and Chinese competition.The struggles with EV growth and the production of battery packs and software have impacted GM's plans.GM's future with autonomy is being tested and Wall Street seems would be very happy if it just went away.Mary Barra's leadership and the future of GM are still uncertain, but her decisions have made it unlikely that the board will get rid of her anytime soon.The UAW and dealerships pose immediate and long term challenges for selling EVsWatch the full episode on Youtube
Also if you are looking to either buy a Tesla or even test drive one, feel free to use our referral code.

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In this episode, we sit down with Jason Goldfarb of Falcon, Rappaport & Berkman, LLP. We discuss the current state of EV charging and how many of the challenges the industry are seeing have been solved already by learnings from the telecom industry. Specifically the roll out of cell towers for data and overall reception for cell phones.
Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in EV technology and find out what you can expect from the EV market in the next few years. From EV charging infrastructure to renewable energy sources, this episode covers it all!
Summary
Jason Goldfarb, a lawyer specializing in EV infrastructure, discusses the similarities between EV infrastructure and wireless telecommunications. He highlights the challenges in the EV infrastructure industry, such as the lack of due diligence, maintenance issues, variety of infrastructure types, location-specific needs and importance of doing thorough research. and homework before investing in EV infrastructure. We discuss the differences in site needs ranging from level 2 to inter-city DC fast charging locations. The conversation then explores the concept of commercial charging and the importance of creating specific infrastructure for rideshare drivers and fleets. The impact of free charging on business models is also discussed, with a focus on the need for sustainable funding models. Finally, the conversation touches on the importance of uptime and maintenance in EV charging and suggests tying funding to metrics such as utilization and maintenance.

Takeaways
EV infrastructure shares similarities with wireless telecommunicationsChallenges in the EV infrastructure industry include lack of due diligence and maintenance issuesEV infrastructure varies in type and implementation depending on location and use caseThorough research and homework are crucial before investing in EV infrastructureThe ideal installation process and business model depend on the specific location and use case Level 3 fast charging is best suited for major mobility corridors and areas between urban and suburban locations.Implementing DC fast charging in dense urban areas may not be practical, and level 2 charging in apartment buildings and parking garages may be more suitable.Commercial charging infrastructure should be designed to meet the specific needs of rideshare drivers and fleets.The impact of free charging on business models should be carefully considered, and sustainable funding models should be developed.Uptime and maintenance are crucial for a successful EV charging network, and funding should be tied to metrics such as utilization and maintenance.Watch the full episode on Youtube
Also if you are looking to either buy a Tesla or even test drive one, feel free to use our referral code.

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In this episode, we sit down with Yakov Berenshteyn from WeaveGrid. Their platform is a software built for electric vehicles, EV Charging, renewable energy and how all this ties to utilities ability to manage all of these variables. We discuss the future of EVs and how they will impact the automotive industry and the environment by 2024.
Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in EV technology and find out what you can expect from the EV market in the next few years. From EV charging infrastructure to renewable energy sources, this episode covers it all! Don't miss this insightful conversation with Yakov Berenshteyn.
Summary
Yakov Berenshteyn, the Director of Automotive & Charging Partnerships at WeaveGrid, discusses the company's mission to help decarbonize transportation through their software platform. They work with electric utilities, automakers, and charging hardware providers to deliver grid services and optimize charging loads. Yakov explains the crawl, walk, run approach to vehicle-to-grid transition and the challenges and misconceptions in implementing it. He also shares upcoming products and partnerships, the gaps in the electric vehicle and charging space, the importance of education in the dealership space, and the need for consistency and integration in EV experiences. In this conversation, Yakov Berenshteyn discusses WeaveGrid's mission and the importance of their technology in the electric vehicle charging industry. He also talks about their plans to spread the word about WeaveGrid and their participation in events like SXSW.
Takeaways
WeaveGrid's software platform helps decarbonize transportation by delivering grid services and optimizing charging loads of electric vehicles coming onto the grid.GridWeave's crawl, walk, run approach is used to transition to vehicle-to-grid, starting with understanding charging hotspots and implementing behavioral nudges, then moving to actively managing charging, and eventually solving distribution challenges.Gaps in the electric vehicle and charging space include the need for education in the dealership space and the integration of charging networks into a single app.Consistency and integration in EV experiences are important to provide a seamless and delightful user experience. WeaveGrid plays a leading role in the electric vehicle charging industry by providing digital infrastructure.Keep an eye out at industry events like SXSW, which provide opportunities for WeaveGrid to showcase their technology.WeaveGrid's technology is crucial for enabling efficient communication and data sharing between different technologies in the industry.Check out WeaveGrid and Toyota's Press Release
Watch the full episode on Youtube
Also if you are looking to either buy a Tesla or even test drive one, feel free to use our referral code.

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