Coast to Coast EVs

Steve Birkett
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Biweekly

A fortnightly fast charge on electric vehicles and EV infrastructure across North America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Unpacking the DC Fast Charging Hardware Landscape w/ Rangeway's Zak Winnick | Coast-to-Coast EVs 62

    Jun 11

    Unpacking the DC Fast Charging Hardware Landscape w/ Rangeway's Zak Winnick | Coast-to-Coast EVs 62

    We've come a long way since the days of sitting on a 25kW Bosch unit at the back of some Chevy dealership, slowly watching the 5% bars tick up and hoping the next location is more powerful/convenient/has more than one stall. But has DC fast-charging hardware expanded where it's needed? And what does the future hold for power levels, new manufacturers and models, and matching the right hardware with an appropriate location? In the 62nd episode of Coast-to-Coast EV's, hosts Eric, Walter, and Steve, are joined by Rangeway CEO Zak Winnick -- aka @CurrentHeading / formerly @WyldWattage -- to unpack all things hardware, through the lens of the US and Canadian DCFC landscape. The crew look at how hardware breaks out by network, region, and site type, as well as zooming in on key manufacturers and models that have defined EV travel in North America, for better or worse! This is an enlightening exploration of DCFC hardware data and, more importantly, gives all you EV nerds the opportunity to praise or pan the charger OEMs you encounter most often. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 41m
  2. Where Do EV Drivers Want to Charge? Exploring USA/Canada DCFC Site Categories | Coast-to-Coast EVs 61

    May 28

    Where Do EV Drivers Want to Charge? Exploring USA/Canada DCFC Site Categories | Coast-to-Coast EVs 61

    DC fast-charging deployments continue to set records, with almost 16,000 distinct locations across the US and Canada for EV drivers to choose from as we approach mid-2026. But how many of those would you actually want to charge with? Listings show that almost one-quarter of those locations are at auto dealers, which is an immediate no for many EV drivers (years of low power, blocked chargers, and extortionate pricing tend to grind you down). Then strip out low-power sites, workplace chargers, or other less appealing options, and the numbers get much smaller. In edition 61 of Coast-to-Coast EVs WisconsEV's -- http://youtube.com/@WisconsEV -- Jay Williams returns to the show to discuss the kind of places we want to charge, as Eric, Walter, and Steve, also answer the question for our respective regions: DCFC is expanding, but is it in the right places? We unpack how the fast-charging landscape in the US and Canada breaks out by category, identify regional differences, get opinions and insights from viewers across the continent, and then assess where we need DCFC to accelerate next. More metro area charging hubs? Medium-powered options at your favorite grocery store? 24kW units at visitor centers for all National Parks? The latest DCFC hardware at big box stores across the US? Check out this episode to break out where fast charging is most common across the US and Canada, and what we need to see next to energize the type of sites where EV drivers want to, rather than have to, charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 39m
  3. Fleet Electrification: The Next Acceleration of EV Adoption? | Coast-to-Coast EVs # 60

    May 14

    Fleet Electrification: The Next Acceleration of EV Adoption? | Coast-to-Coast EVs # 60

    As the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo wrapped up in Las Vegas in early May, electric fleets seemed closer than ever. From the Tesla Semi starting series production and some fleet operators posting orders in the hundreds, to a bevy of EV infrastructure companies developing freight charging corridors from their SoCal base up to Nevada and out to the Texas Triangle, years of promises and pilots are becoming a reality on the road. So are electric fleet vehicles the next catalyst for EV adoption? Stripped of the emotional aspect of vehicle buying that fuels the ICE v. EV polarization in consumer sales, fleet EVs will live or die on total cost (and convenience) of ownership alone. As diesel prices skyrocket and charging infrastructure expands, the calculus is increasingly tilting towards electrification. Join Eric, Walter, and Steve in this edition of Coast-to-Coast EVs to hear where fleet electrification stands today, what we can expect to see over the next 12 months, and where the charging infrastructure overlaps with the public CPO sites that many of us use for regional travel and road trips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 18m
  4. What Moves North America into the EV Future? | Coast-to-Coast EVs # 59

    Apr 30

    What Moves North America into the EV Future? | Coast-to-Coast EVs # 59

    Is it faster charging that will make the difference? Or level 2 in every city space, workplace, and residential parking lot? Will Chinese electric vehicles finally break into the US via Canada and/or Mexico to dominate the market? Or can US automakers rise to the challenge of navigating a policy landscape that veers between pro- and anti-EV with every election cycle? In this edition, the Coast-to-Coast EVs crew and community explore factors influencing North America's stop-start EV adoption, and try to answer the complex question: what will finally accelerate us into the EV future that so many other regions have already embraced? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 24m
  5. Do Believe the Hype: Walmart's Spring Surge is Underway | Coast-to-Coast EVs #58

    Apr 16

    Do Believe the Hype: Walmart's Spring Surge is Underway | Coast-to-Coast EVs #58

    Join Eric, Walter, Steve, and returning special guest Landon West, aka ‪@TheArkansaseTraveler‬ Arkansas eTraveler, for the latest rundown on every aspect of Walmart EV Charging's spring acceleration. From plans and permits to new states, new roles, and action at Sam's Club, we covered the burning questions as Walmart positions to blanket the US in retail-aligned fast charging. Chapters: 0:00 - Start 2:00 - In the News: IONNA to Upgrade Circle K Charge US Locations 15:54 - Introducing: The Charge Collaborative 20:17 - A New Way to Track Walmart EV Charging Progress 22:00 - Walmart EVC Update from Landon (mid-April 2026) 25:00 - Transformer Shortages and EV Charging Projects 26:40 - Walter's Walmart Site Scouting in Charlotte, NC 33:00 - Eric's Walmart Site Scouting in Northern California 46:17 - Curbside Pickup/Grocery Delivery While Charging 57:30 - Sam's Club EV Charging Incoming? 1:11:40 - How EV Driver Can Influence DCFC Site Selection 1:20:18 - Viewer Comments & Questions 1:29:00 - Community Contributions & Acknowledgements 1:30:51 - Close - Now Watch This 👇👀    • EV Adoption Will Now Accelerate Thanks To ...   ⬅️Get groceries while you charge Walter's Charlotte-area Walmart Exploration -    • Visiting 7 Walmart Energy locations in Cha...   Eric's NorCal Walmart Exploration - Coming Soon! Links referenced in video: The Charge Collaborative -   / discord   Wattmart Portal/App - https://wattmart.community/ Walmart EV Charging Official Page - https://www.walmart.com/cp/ev/9145505 Channel Links: ‪@TheArkansaseTraveler‬ ‪@newscoulomb3705‬ ‪@thenetworkarchitectchannel‬ ‪@The_Amped_Americano‬ ‪@jimsEVadventures‬ ‪@EV-Texans‬ ‪@CurrentHeading‬ Contributors on X-itter: Landon - https://x.com/TheArkeTraveler Spencer - https://x.com/scotsrule08 Alejandro - https://x.com/alejandroev66 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 33m
  6. AC/DC - Unpacking the Lethargic Rise of Public L2 Charging | Coast-to-Coast EVs #57

    Apr 2

    AC/DC - Unpacking the Lethargic Rise of Public L2 Charging | Coast-to-Coast EVs #57

    Why aren't we further along with public destination charging in North America? Filling your battery when and where the EV is parked is usually cited as the main advantage of electric vehicles. It's typically cheaper, more convenient, and reputedly better for battery longevity. But that advantage is usually raised in terms of home charging. Away from individual dwellings, public AC charging is often labeled too slow for an hour or two stop and too inconvenient for renters or visitors to use unless it's right on-site. As a result, excitement around new L2 deployments is muted compared to flashier DC Fast Charging, and key charging solutions like curbside charging in cities and AC charging in parking garages remain stuck in pilot programs or in limited-access locations. In this episode of Coast-to-Coast EVs, we explore the largest L2 providers in the US and Canada, the different types of AC charging locations, and reasons for the relatively lethargic pace of L2 deployments, even as DCFC posted a record-setting year in 2025. We also discuss the overlap with low-power DC charging (25-50kW), and get your take on the most compelling places for L2 to be deployed. Host Channels: Eric/News Coulomb -    / @newscoulomb3705   Walter/The Network Architect Channel -    / @thenetworkarchitectchannel   Resources/channels mentioned in discussion: Alternative Fuels Data Center Listing for L2 (US + Canada) - https://afdc.energy.gov/stations#/ana... Technology Connextras -    • Don't overthink electric car charging (we ...   STL EV Info -    / @stl_ev_info   The Arkansas eTraveler -    • Walmart EV Charging Just Dropped HUGE Hints   Chapters: 0:00 - Start 2:30 - 200K AC Ports But Still L2 Lethargy 5:12 - Our Public L2 Experiences 17:04 - L2 in US/Canada By the Numbers 23:00 - DCFC Boom vs. Underinvestment in AC 32:45 - Varying Use Cases for Public L2 Charging 43:52 - Co-location of L2 and DC Fast Charging Options 1:00:00 - Distributed Power DCFC and Adjusted Charge Times 1:04:20 - Higher Power AC or Lower Power DC for Medium Dwell Times? 1:23:27 - Projects in the Pipeline + Close 1:26:40 - ⚡Cheers, Nerds!🤓 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 25m
  7. Finally, Fast Charging Competition ⚡🥊 | Coast-to-Coast EVs 56

    Mar 19

    Finally, Fast Charging Competition ⚡🥊 | Coast-to-Coast EVs 56

    Join Eric, Walter, and Steve to unpack a new era of competition in US/Canada DC fast charging.  Will it usher in much-needed price competition and customer choice, or will a few big players continue to dominate due to deep pockets and coverage that spans the continent? If you want to jump to a specific aspect of the topic, here's what we discussed 👇 Chapters: 0:00 - Start 1:10 - Fast Charger Competition, Finally 2:12 - How are new competitors going to win EV drivers over? 9:59 - IONNA hits 100 sites/~1K stalls - thousands more underway 17:25 - Route Planning: How do you find EV fast-charging stations? 32.26 - Tesla navigation recommendations + Supercharger for Business 38:42 - What compels non-Tesla drivers to prioritize Superchargers? 48:30 - Reliability is now the price of entry 50:08 - The moving target of DCFC pricing 1:06:00 - Sidebar: Energy shocks impact electricity prices as well 1:14:18 - Energy sources + utility-backed DCFC pricing 1:18:10 - Competitive Distinction: how can North American CPOs stand out? 1:24:06 - Does membership pricing make a difference? 1:29:10 - Close: Cheers, Nerds! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 31m
  8. Community Q&A: From Supercharging Francis Energy to Toyota EV Adoption, Your Questions Answered | Coast-to-Coast EVs 55

    Mar 5

    Community Q&A: From Supercharging Francis Energy to Toyota EV Adoption, Your Questions Answered | Coast-to-Coast EVs 55

    Join Eric, Walter, and Steve for a free-for-all Q&A session on electric vehicles and infrastructure. We threw out the usual prepared topics and left ourselves in the hands of the Coast-to-Coasts EV's community to ask questions, pose ideas, and possibly even stoke a heated debate or two... Topical Timestamps: 0:00 - Start 1:35 - DCFCtracker.com (Thank you @AlejandroEV66!) 4:01 - Donut Lab | idonutbelieve.com 10:00 - Update on Francis Energy Supercharger for Business Upgrades (h/t @Lynyrd_Evnyrd) 16:40 - Viewer Comments 20:42 - Will abandoned charging sites be revived? (h/t @DantheEVman) 37:12 - Will Eric upgrade to the new Bolt? (h/t Doug Steventon) 40:42 - MB-HPC vs. IONNA: Who hits 100 sites first? 49:20 - Which 2026 model releases are catching our attention? 57:12 - Free charging and EVgo Q4 2025 results 1:02:46 - Electrify America Upgrades + overlap with Walmart (h/t STL_EV_Info) 1:10:54 - Charger activation: To app or not to app? 1:15:10 - Tesla Supercharger profitability (h/t @Addahandletocontunue1) 1:21:50 - Should we do more open topic/Q&A format streams or not? 1:24:40 - Close - Cheers, nerds!  Resource + channel links named above: @AlejandroEV66 x.com/alejandroEV66 -- DCFCtracker.com ‪@Lynyrd_Evnyrd‬ (Oklahoma + Francis Tesla updates) ‪@DanTheEVMan‬ (Red E + Francis NEVI updates) ‪@STL_EV_Info‬ (Mach E + St. Louis, MO area EV content) ‪@EverydayEV‬ (Ohio + Midwest EV updates) ‪@TheArkansaseTraveler‬ (Walmart DCFC + Mid-South EV Updates) ⚡Cheers, nerds 🤓 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 25m
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out of 5
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About

A fortnightly fast charge on electric vehicles and EV infrastructure across North America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Birkett
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Birkett
  • Show Website
    Coast to Coast EVs

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