Field Frequency

Jason Cortes
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BUSINESS

Field Frequency sits at the intersection of energy and technology, where innovation powers possibility. Each episode brings you a steady stream of insights, real-world stories, and timely updates straight from the field. From breakthrough advancements and evolving infrastructure to expert perspectives on emerging tech, we uncover the tools, trends, and talent shaping the future of EV, fueling, and the technology that surrounds both industries. Whether you’re deep in the industry or simply curious about where energy meets innovation, Field Frequency keeps you connected, informed, and inspired — fueling the future, one conversation at a time.

Episodes

  1. JAN 6

    Blink Forward: Mike Battaglia on Building a Profitable Fast-Charging Future

    In Episode 12 of Field Frequency, Jason sits down with Mike Battaglia, CEO of Blink Charging, to unpack what it takes to build a profitable, reliable charging network in a market that has moved from hype to hard truths. Mike shares his journey from the automotive world and JD Power into EV infrastructure, why Blink is doubling down on owning the software and operating profitable assets, and how driver experience, uptime, and disciplined growth are shaping Blink’s “next chapter” across Level 2 and DC fast charging. Inside the Episode Mike’s path to EV chargingThe Blink leadership climbBlink’s core DNA: owner-operator firstVertical integration, refinedDriver experience: the simplest standard winsListening loops: CSAT + NPS + diagnosticsFleets and OEMs: different needs, different playbooksReliability at scale: why partnerships matterBlink by the numbersProfitability: the industry’s overdue requirementDC fast charging strategyPolicy friction and the permitting problemCapital markets reality checkVision: what Blink success looks like in 3 years

    32 min

  2. 12/18/2025

    Sites, Service, Scale: Universal EV’s Formula for Profitable Charging

    In this episode of Field Frequency, Jason is joined by Brian Bradford, Commercial Lead at Universal EV Chargers, a Texas-based charge point operator with a rapidly expanding national footprint. Brian shares his journey from traditional energy and infrastructure, including early career experience during the Enron era, into the evolving EV charging landscape. The conversation explores Universal EV’s evolution from Level 2 deployments to a focused DC fast charging strategy, emphasizing utilization, capital efficiency, and reliability as the core drivers of sustainable growth. Brian outlines Universal’s disciplined CPO-only model, its approach to hardware and software flexibility, the role of public funding such as NEVI, and how customer experience, uptime, and regionalized operations shape long-term success. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on policy headwinds, market maturation, and what “winning” looks like for Universal EV by 2030. Show Notes Guest: Brian Bradford, CCO of Universal EV Chargers Topics Covered: Brian’s career path from traditional energy and infrastructure into EV chargingThe origin of Universal EV and its roots in Universal Solar and Universal Green GroupTransition from Level 2 charging to a DC fast charging–first strategyCurrent portfolio overview, including L2 and L3 port counts and multi-state expansionUniversal EV’s CPO-only business model and focus on operations, maintenance, and serviceBalancing utilization and capital cost as the foundation of site profitabilitySite acquisition strategy, regionalized construction, and maintenance optimizationHardware and software selection in a fragmented, commoditized marketUniversal’s approach to uptime, reliability, and owning the customer experienceLeveraging proprietary software, 24/7 service teams, and OEM partnershipsPublic funding strategy, including NEVI and state-level grant programsLessons learned from early funding challenges and industry maturationEnhancing driver experience through loyalty programs, pricing models, and AI-driven toolsPolicy volatility, market headwinds, and long-term demand for EV infrastructureUniversal EV’s five-year vision for growth, consolidation, and customer loyaltyThe future of EV charging stations as grid-edge energy assets

    29 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    EV Narratives Done Right: Steve Birkett on Facts, Friction & the Future

    Host Jason Cortes sits down with Steve Burkett of Plug & Play EV and the Coast to Coast EVs livestream to explore how a passion YouTube channel grew into a trusted voice connecting EV drivers, fleets, and infrastructure players. They dig into why storytelling beats slogans for mainstream EV adoption, where charging reliability and destination charging still fall short, how to cut through hype and vaporware in EV news, and what fleets, retailers, and policymakers need to get right over the next 3–5 years. Show Notes Guest Steve Burkett – Founder of Plug & Play EV, host of Coast to Coast EVs livestream/podcast, long-time EV driver and B2B marketer focused on EV consumer education and infrastructure. In This Episode Meet Steve & Plug & Play EVSitting Between Drivers and the EVSE IndustryReliability: Are We Finally Turning the Corner?Destination Charging & Real-World Hotel PainStorytelling vs. Slogans (and Why “Save the Planet” Isn’t Enough)Signal vs. Noise in EV News & Tech HypeCoast to Coast EVs: What Drivers Really Talk AboutRetailers, Buc-ee’s vs. Kwik Trip & the New Fueling Mix Plug & Charge, Credit Cards & the Real Driver ExperienceFleet Electrification & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)Lessons from CNG / LNG Fleets for EV TCOGlobal Lessons: Europe, China & StandardizationLooking 3–5 Years Ahead: Affordability & Education Resources Mentioned Plug & Play EV weekly newsletter – EV driver stories, infrastructure analysis, regional station highlights.Coast to Coast EVs livestream & podcast – Deep dives on regional charging build-outs and real-world ownership.

    46 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Brick by Brick: Building Reliable Charging with Relion

    In this episode of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes sits down with Benoit Lacroix, CEO of Relion, to talk about what it really takes to keep EV chargers up and running at scale. Benoit shares how his early work electrifying heavy-duty trucks led him to build Relion as an “operating layer” behind the scenes of EV charging—connecting data, people, and process from fault to fix. The conversation explores interoperability challenges, the limitations of traditional CSMS tools, why reliability is really about orchestration, and how operators, fleets, and service providers can work together to turn complexity into flow. Show Notes: The future of EV charging isn’t just about hardware, it’s about orchestrating the people, data, and processes that keep chargers working. In this episode, Jason and Benoit explore the operational realities behind charger uptime and how Relion is building the layer that turns faults into fixes. Inside the Episode: Benoit’s journey from electrifying heavy-duty trucks to founding RelionHow early lessons in remote diagnostics and telematics shaped Relion’s approachWhy EV charging reliability is a systems problem, not a hardware problemThe limits of standards like OCPP and what it takes to stay hardware-agnosticFilling the gap between CSMS tools and real-world operations workflowsHow Relion unifies operators, manufacturers, and service providers around issue resolutionImproving first-time fix rates through better triage, SOPs, and work order automationWhere Relion drives the most impact: public charging, curbside L2, fleets, and managed servicesWhy visibility, control, and faster time-to-resolution matter more than uptime promisesThe role of automation and AI in diagnostics—focused on quality over noiseRelion’s growth trajectory across Canada and the U.S.

    38 min

  5. 11/12/2025

    More Outlets, Less Overhead: Hotel EV Charging with Evolve Energy

    In this episode, host Jason Cortes sits down with Raul Dominguez, founder of Evolve Energy, to explore the rapidly changing world of EV charging within the hospitality industry. Raul shares his journey from a civil engineering background to impactful roles at Rivian and Tesla, experiences that inspired him to launch Evolve Energy. Together, they discuss how EV charging has evolved from a luxury amenity to a guest expectation—a key factor in hotel selection, loyalty, and overall competitiveness. Raul also breaks down how Evolve Energy’s smart, cost-efficient charging solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into hotel operations, delivering convenience for guests and long-term value for property owners. Show Notes In this episode, Jason sits down with Raul Dominguez, founder of Evolve Energy, to discuss how his company is transforming the EV charging experience in the hospitality industry. From his early career in civil engineering to leadership roles at Rivian and Tesla, Raul’s journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation, user experience, and infrastructure scalability. They explore how Evolve Energy’s smart outlet platform is reshaping the conversation around EV charging—from being an optional amenity to an essential part of the modern guest experience. Key Topics From Civil Engineering to EV Innovation  Raul shares his path from transportation consulting to Rivian’s Adventure Network, Tesla’s Supercharger team, and ultimately founding Evolve Energy.Solving the “Hotel Charging Problem”  A firsthand account of the challenges EV drivers face when traveling—limited access, inconsistent infrastructure, and unreliable listings.Evolve Energy’s Mission  How Evolve is building smarter, lower-cost charging solutions through smart outlets and software-driven integrations—bringing scalability to hospitality parking lots nationwide.Hospitality Meets Technology  Insights on how EV charging influences guest loyalty and conversion rates. With Hilton naming EV charging as its #1 global booking filter, Raul explains why charging is now as essential as Wi-Fi.ROI and Accessibility  The business case for hotels: EV charging as a revenue-generating investment, not a cost. How Evolve’s platform reduces capital expenditure while expanding access.Frictionless Guest Experience  Integration with hotel management systems for seamless billing and user access—no cables, screens, or payment terminals required.Future-Proofing for the EV Era  Raul discusses the company’s focus on edge computing, machine learning, and hardware designed for autonomous vehicles and mass adoption.

    36 min

  6. 10/28/2025

    ChargeMate’s AI Advantage: Designing for Service, Delivering for Drivers

    In this episode, host Jason Cortes sits down with Brad Crist, CEO and co-founder of ChargeMate, to explore how AI is transforming EV charging reliability. From real-world road trip frustrations to building an AI-driven support system that bridges the gap between drivers, operators, and field technicians, Brad shares how ChargeMate is redefining service intelligence in the EV space. Show Notes: The transition to electric vehicles depends on more than just chargers—it depends on reliable charging experiences. In this conversation, Jason and Brad unpack the challenges behind EV service workflows and the role AI plays in keeping chargers online and drivers confident. Inside the Episode: Brad’s journey from environmental science to leading ChargeMateThe catalyst moment that sparked ChargeMate’s foundingIdentifying the “service gap” between drivers and charge point operatorsHow AI bridges driver-reported issues with actionable insights for service teamsSmarter dispatching and avoiding unnecessary truck rollsMaking raw charger data meaningful through context and automationBuilding serviceability by design: what CPOs and OEMs should ask about hardwareWhy “buy vs. build” matters when it comes to AI in charging operationsThe future of EV service intelligence and collaboration across the industryListen to learn:  How ChargeMate is transforming EV charging from a reactive model to a proactive, intelligent, and human-centered experience—and what that means for CPOs, service providers, and drivers alike.

    33 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    PREDICT, PREVENT, PERFORM- Chargelab's AI Fueled Drive Toward 99% Uptime

    Inside The Episode: Origin story: Zak’s path from early EV enthusiasm (2016) to founding ChargeLab in 2020 and growing to tens of thousands of managed ports.Why “smart” matters: Moving beyond “amenity” chargers to networked, monetized stations with payments, load/energy management, and telemetry so sites can scale from 2 to 20+ ports without blowing the panel—or the budget.Operator value props: ChargeLab’s CSMS (charger management), seamless QR/Apple Pay activation, robust energy management, utility integrations, and fleet/multifamily/workplace/public use cases.Reliability realities: Why ~20% failed public sessions (historically) happened—connectivity, firmware/backend misalignment, OCPP implementation differences, and driver flow issues—and how the industry is maturing past Gen-1 pitfalls.AI in the loop (Spark): Proactive monitoring across billions of charger messages to:Detect patterns that precede failures (e.g., connectivity drift, abnormal session drops).Intervene before drivers are affected (safe, targeted remote reboots; tuned timeouts/configs).Generate human-readable diagnostics for field techs to speed on-site fixes.Online vs. offline resilience: Designing for always-connected management while enabling offline authentication (RFID/credit card) with later settlement to reduce single-point failures.Tier-1 driver support (in-house): On-shore ChargeLab employees trained on EV charging, sitting near technical teams, improving first-time-driver success and protecting CPO revenue.Ops & partnerships: Clear escalation paths to hardware makers and field service partners (like Field Advantage); workflows that avoid unnecessary truck rolls while shortening true MTTR.Branding & buyer fit: Off-the-shelf for smaller sites vs. white-label apps, RFID, call flows, and UI for retailers/utilities building branded networks.The road ahead: Predictive maintenance, dynamic pricing, grid services, and raising the bar so today’s “good” becomes tomorrow’s minimum.

    1h 1m

  8. 09/30/2025

    Tritium 2.0: Power Cycling Toward a High-Voltage Comeback

    Jason Cortes welcomes Arcady Sosinov, CEO of Tritium, for a candid look at the company’s transformation. From early wins with the RT50 to the challenges of scaling globally, Arcady shares how Tritium restructured its service model, refreshed its product roadmap, and re‑centered around long‑term infrastructure reliability. Listeners will hear how Tritium is building trust back with measurable SLAs, follow‑the‑sun support, and a new flagship platform, Triflex. Highlights Career path: From hedge funds to founding FreeWire Technologies, and now leading Tritium.Early impact: How the RT50 (ChargePoint CPE200) helped spark public fast charging adoption.Growing pains: Global expansion, the SPAC/NEVI era, and the hard lessons that followed.Tritium 2.0:24/7 support through a UK hub.Transparent SLA reporting with fee refunds for misses.A new Customer Success team driving regular business reviews.Product roadmap: Modular architecture, DC‑fed sites, and the upcoming Triflex platform designed for large, high‑density sites.Market view: Why subsidies can distort growth and why durable partnerships matter more.Future focus: Deep technical collaborations, cost‑per‑port efficiency, and scaling beyond 400 kW.

    1h 9m

  9. 09/16/2025

    Modular By Design, Durable By Nature: Kempower’s Take on Reliability & Uptime

    In this episode of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes sits down with Jed Routh, VP of Markets and Products at Kempower North America, to explore what makes a DC fast charger last—and why so many don’t. Jed shares his personal journey from Thomas Built Buses and Duke Energy into the EV space, offering a front-row perspective on how Kempower is translating its European success into the North American market. They cover: Kempower’s modular DC architecture and why “more plugs” often beats “more power”Lessons learned from Europe’s mature EV landscape and how they apply in the U.S.Designing for uptime and serviceability—redundancy, swappable modules, and intelligent load sharingThe realities of subsidies and funding programs like NEVI—when they help and when they hinderCustomer experience from every angle: CPOs, site hosts, utilities, and EV driversWhy the fleet market may be the ultimate growth driver for DC fast charging in North AmericaIt’s a candid look at reliability, design philosophy, and the operational challenges that outsiders often underestimate.

    40 min

  10. 09/02/2025

    Plugin’s Path to Profit: Helping CPOs Get EV Charging Right

    In this episode of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes sits down with Chris Kaiser, President of Plugin, for a candid look at the realities of operating EV charging sites. Chris brings 20+ years of clean energy experience, including 5 years in EV charging, and shares how Plugin is helping retailers, QSRs, and C-stores transform charging from pilot projects into fully managed, profitable destinations. They dive into: Why uptime and reliability remain the #1 challenge for CPOs.How overlooked costs (like cable replacements) can derail profitability.The role of utilities, site design, and early planning in building sustainable charging networks.Why standardization and institutional knowledge are critical for scale.What it will take for retail and convenience real estate to unlock true profitability in EV charging.The punchline? Charging can be profitable—if it’s designed with intention.  Whether you’re a site host, CPO, or just curious about the next phase of charging infrastructure, this conversation cuts through the hype and gets real about what works, what breaks, and what’s next.

    49 min

  11. 09/02/2025

    The Electric Poet on Talent, Capital & Staying Power

    In this episode, host Jason Cortes sits down with Raymond McSpirit, founder of EV Recruitment and facilitator of EV sector M&A activity. Raymond brings a rare dual perspective on capital and talent, sharing his views on where the EV ecosystem is headed and what it takes to succeed in a turbulent market. What We Cover: Raymond’s journey into the EV space and the founding of EV RecruitmentAdvice for students and early professionals trying to break into EVWhy trade shows and in-person networking are the biggest untapped edge for job seekersThe challenge of attracting and retaining top talent in a market facing hiring freezes, funding gaps, and fatigueA breakdown of the EV value chain—from OEMs to infrastructure providers to technology innovatorsThe evolving role of CPOs (Charge Point Operators) and the hurdles they face in achieving profitabilityWhy “not all money is good money” when it comes to capital, and how patient investors can make or break growthTrends in industry consolidation, creative deal structures, and new opportunities for companies positioning themselves strategicallyRaymond also previews his work in M&A origination, supporting CPOs and investors with creative solutions to align capital, portfolios, and long-term growth.

    53 min

  12. 09/02/2025

    The Pangea Effect: Building Trust One Client at a Time

    In this episode, Jason Cortes sits down with Anup Parikh, founder of Pangea Charging, for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, personal brand, and the realities of building in the EV charging space. From being laid off multiple times to launching his own company, Anup shares how those experiences shaped the ethos behind Pangea Charging and why trust and execution often matter more than hardware specs. What you’ll hear in this episode: The journey from “layoffs to payoffs” and the origin story of Pangea ChargingWhy personal brand may be one of the most powerful assets in the EV industryThe challenges of educating the market—and when education is a secret weapon vs. a sunk costThe nuanced debate between Level 2 vs. DC fast charging, and why L2 might be the overlooked backbone of adoptionHow trust, execution, and people—not just products—will determine the winners in EV infrastructureA sneak peek at Anup & Pangea Charging’s new 2026 initiative bringing Whether you’re in the trenches of EV infrastructure or just curious about how disruptive companies get built, this episode is packed with insight and real talk you won’t want to miss. Listen now and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Field Frequency.

    51 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Field Frequency sits at the intersection of energy and technology, where innovation powers possibility. Each episode brings you a steady stream of insights, real-world stories, and timely updates straight from the field. From breakthrough advancements and evolving infrastructure to expert perspectives on emerging tech, we uncover the tools, trends, and talent shaping the future of EV, fueling, and the technology that surrounds both industries. Whether you’re deep in the industry or simply curious about where energy meets innovation, Field Frequency keeps you connected, informed, and inspired — fueling the future, one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Cortes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Field Frequency
  • Show Website
    Field Frequency