EV Insider by Recurrent

Recurrent

EV Insider is the trusted intersection between owners and the car market. Leaders from across the industry join the podcast to share insights and help EV owners make smart decisions when buying and selling electric cars. 

  1. 6D AGO

    The EV Apocalypse That Wasn't with Paul J Daly & Kyle Mountsier

    Is 2026 the year used EVs finally break through? EV Insider host Scott sits down with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier of ASOTU to unpack what's actually happening in the market right now. Their conference: https://www.asotucon.com/ They dig into why there's historically no tight correlation between gas prices and new EV sales — except for one notable six-month stretch in 2022, when EV share jumped 50%. With gas prices spiking again and CarMax reporting a 28% year-over-year increase in used EV searches, the question isn't whether demand is building — it's whether it will convert before prices stabilize. A big part of the answer is supply. The wave of 2022-era EVs is coming off lease right now, flooding the used market with affordable inventory at exactly the moment consumers are feeling pain at the pump. But there's a catch: many of those original lessees had payments as low as $200/month thanks to aggressive captive finance rates and incentives that no longer exist. How dealers navigate those returning customers — and whether they trade up, buy used, or walk — is one of the most interesting storylines of the year. Scott also shares some of Recurrent's most surprising findings from six years and 35,000 vehicles worth of real-world data: EV batteries are lasting longer than expected, and most EVs are actually exceeding their EPA range estimates after three years on the road. The data suggests dealers and manufacturers have been underselling the product — and that EV retention rates sit above 90% once someone makes the switch. The group also debates whether dealers who've pulled back on EV education are walking into a trap, and why Toyota's decision to go all-in on EVs in 2026 — while everyone else is zigging toward hybrids — might be the smartest move in the industry. EV Insider is produced by Recurrent, the company helping dealers and consumers make smarter decisions with real-world EV data.  https://www.recurrentauto.com/about/ev-insider

    21 min
  2. MAR 20

    Why Do EV Shoppers Believe The Myths with David Thomas

    CDK Study 👇 https://www.cdkglobal.com/insights/new-study-reveals-sharp-shift-evs Electric vehicle adoption faces a surprising challenge: shoppers believe things about EVs that simply aren't true. And according to automotive leader David Thomas, from CDK Global, these misconceptions are getting worse, not better. In this episode, David shares eye-opening data from his latest research on EV shopper perceptions, revealing a massive gap between what people believe and what's actually true about electric vehicle ownership costs, charging infrastructure, and long-term value. What We Cover: 🔧 The Maintenance Myth – Why all shopper types (including current EV owners!) wrongly believe EVs cost more to maintain and repair 💰 The Leasing Landscape Shift – How 77% of shoppers changed their preference when offered great lease deals, and what happens now that those incentives are gone ⚡ The Charging Infrastructure Paradox – 30% more DC fast chargers added in the past year, yet shopper confidence is declining. Why? 🚗 Tire Wear: Myth or Reality? – Unpacking whether EVs really chew through tires faster (spoiler: it's complicated) 📊 The Plug-in Hybrid Shopper Advantage – Why PHEV shoppers are the most informed group, even more than current EV owners 🔮 2026 Predictions – Where David is putting his money: luxury EVs and what that means for dealers 🏠 The Home Charging Blind Spot – Why 80% of households have the charging solution already (their driveway), but don't realize it Guest: David Thomas is an automotive industry leader at CDK Global specializing in market research and consumer behavior insights. About EV Insider: EV Insider is produced by Scott Case and the team at Recurrent, bringing you ground-level insights from automotive dealers, executives, and industry experts navigating the electric vehicle transition. Learn more about Recurrent: https://www.recurrentauto.com Subscribe for weekly EV industry insights from the people who live it every day.

    18 min
  3. MAR 11

    EV Incentive Lessons from the Surprising US Leader with Laura Perrotta

    In this episode of EV Insider, host Scott sits down with Laura Perrotta, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR), to get a ground-level view of the EV market from someone representing 523 franchised dealers across the Garden State. New Jersey is the #7 state for new EV sales and the only Northeast state in the top 10 — but that position is under pressure. Laura breaks down exactly what got New Jersey there, what's threatening that momentum, and what needs to happen next for EVs to truly go mainstream. In this episode, you'll learn: Why NJ outperforms other Northeast states in EV adoption How state and federal incentives (up to $4,000 + $7,500 federal) drove the EV rush — and what happened when they disappeared The real sales drop-off dealers experienced after September 2025's incentive cliff Why NJ's charging infrastructure ratio (40–45 EVs per public charger) is a hidden crisis — and the multifamily housing challenge making it worse How Tesla Supercharger network access became a game changer for EV driver confidence Who's buying EVs now — and who the next wave of buyers will be The growing used EV market and what it means for dealers The legislation NJ dealers are pushing for in 2026, including sales tax holidays and expanded charging infrastructure What New Jersey's EV landscape could look like by 2028 Whether you're a dealer, a policy wonk, an EV enthusiast, or just thinking about your next car purchase, this episode gives you a candid, data-driven look at where the EV market really stands. Subscribe for weekly EV industry insights, dealer perspectives, and the latest on electric vehicle trends across the U.S. 🔌 Get more EV Insider: https://www.recurrentauto.com/about/ev-insider 🌐 Learn more about NJCAR: https://www.njcar.org/

    19 min
  4. FEB 10

    Why Hybrids Are Essential for EV Adoption with Tim Pohanka

    Tim Pohanka brings a perspective few in the auto industry can match. As Executive VP of Pohanka Automotive Group, one of America's oldest family-owned dealerships at 106 years, he watched his great-grandfather's horse stable become their first automotive shop. Now he's navigating another powertrain transition—and his take might surprise you. What We Cover: 🏛️ Multi-Generational Perspective – From horses to combustion engines to EVs: how this transition compares to past industry shifts 💰 The $400/Month Reality – Why affordability, not features, will determine 2026 success for EVs 📈 The Off-Lease Surge – What happens when massive lease returns hit the market in 2026 🍃 2026 Nissan Leaf Excitement – Why Tim believes the redesigned Leaf addresses previous limitations 😰 Range Anxiety Solutions – What manufacturers can do to alleviate persistent consumer fears Key Quote: "My car could drive itself, but if I can't afford to drive it, it doesn't matter. Families are targeting $400-$450/month payments. At $60,000, that's $800/month. The cars have got to become more affordable." Guest: Tim Pohanka, Executive Vice President, Pohanka Automotive Group Host: Scott Case, CEO at Recurrent About EV Insider:  EV Insider is produced by Scott Case and the team at Recurrent, bringing you ground-level insights from automotive dealers, executives, and industry experts navigating the electric vehicle transition. Learn more about Recurrent: https://www.recurrentauto.com Subscribe for weekly conversations with the people who are actually living the EV transition every day.

    13 min
  5. FEB 3

    Subaru Finally Has Serious EV Contenders with Jeff Miller

    Jeff Miller is crushing it with Subaru's Solterra EV—and he's not shy about why his competitors aren't. As CEO of Mark Miller's Subaru in Salt Lake City, Jeff sold 124 Solterras while the other three Subaru stores in his market combined have sold just 35.  The difference? Commitment.  In this episode, Jeff shares how his dealership leaned into EVs when others wouldn't, why he believes range anxiety is "retailer-driven," and the creative financing strategies (like one-pay leases) that are helping customers navigate the post-rebate world. What We Cover: Why Subaru's EV strategy has been "very slow" and what's changing How Jeff's dealership sells 3.5x more Solterras than competitors combined The surprising Tesla sales split: down 60% in liberal Salt Lake, up in conservative suburbs Why having staff and owners drive EVs matters more than advertising Range anxiety, infrastructure gaps, and the real barriers to EV adoption in Utah One-pay lease strategy: pay $15K instead of $40K upfront and protect against depreciation What's coming: Subaru's new Trail Seeker EV About Jeff Miller: Fourth-generation auto retailer and CEO of Mark Miller's Subaru Midtown and South Town in Salt Lake City. Jeff has been driving a Solterra for three years and believes EVs are "the absolute perfect car" for most daily drivers. Links: 🔋 Learn more about EV Insider: https://www.recurrentauto.com/about/ev-insider 📊 Check your EV's battery health: https://www.recurrentauto.com

    22 min
  6. JAN 27

    Used EV Boom Is Coming with Danny Papakalos

    What if the future of EV adoption doesn’t start with new cars — but with used ones? In this EV Insider episode, Scott Case sits down with Danny Papakalos, Corporate Director of Pre-Owned Operations at #1 Cochran, the largest automotive retailer in Western Pennsylvania. Danny has a unique view: his job only lives in the pre-owned space, and he believes used EVs will be the single biggest growth opportunity in 2026 and beyond. Danny explains why EV loyalty is shockingly strong, how affordability is about to shift millions of shoppers toward used EVs, and why the industry urgently needs to rethink how it markets batteries, range, and long-term cost of ownership. In this episode: Why suburbs are becoming EV hotbeds in Pittsburgh.  The “EV infectious disease effect”: how one EV in a neighborhood leads to six or seven.  Why once buyers try EVs, they never go back — and what that means for future loyalty.  How the used EV market mirrors the early success of Lexus Certified Pre-Owned — and why that analogy matters.  The affordability crisis coming in 2026 — and why used EVs will solve it for millions of shoppers.  How #1 Cochran evaluates used EVs, where they place them, and why the brand rooftop doesn’t matter.  The battery perception problem, and how education — not incentives — is the key to mass adoption.  Why 3–5 year-old EVs still have 90–95% battery health, and why dealers should be shouting this from the rooftops.  Danny’s blueprint for the perfect EV ad: peace of mind, future cost, and clarity. Whether you’re a shopper, dealer, or industry analyst, this is one of the clearest, most compelling frameworks for understanding how used EVs will transform the market. 👉 Subscribe for more EV market insights every week. 👉 Learn more at recurrentauto.com

    19 min

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EV Insider is the trusted intersection between owners and the car market. Leaders from across the industry join the podcast to share insights and help EV owners make smart decisions when buying and selling electric cars. 

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