Field Frequency

Jason Cortes
  • 4.5 (2)
  • 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.

  1. 4d ago

    i-Charging: From Fixed Hardware to Adaptive Infrastructure

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Field Frequency, Jason Cortes sits down with Jeff Cohen, CEO of i-charging USA. For most of the last decade, EV charging ran on one question: how many chargers did you deploy? That era is over. The questions now are harder — is the site profitable, is the infrastructure scalable, and when something breaks, how fast is it back online? Jeff brings fourteen years in this industry — GE, ChargePoint, Tritium, and now a Portuguese DC charging manufacturer building out of Atlanta's Curiosity Lab. His read on the market comes down to three shifts. Profitability: the industry moved from land grab to site-by-site business case, and ROI now decides whether a site gets built at all. Serviceability: the old OEM question of "is it in warranty or out of warranty" was always the wrong question — the right one is whether the charger is operational and serviced on time. And scalability: fixed-output hardware forces operators to make kilowatts fit, while adaptive architecture sizes power to the site and grows with it. The conversation gets specific fast. Jason shares a unit that sat dead for nine months — abandoned by its manufacturer, costing the operator $300–400 a month in a single parking space — and took a day and a half to fix once someone actually showed up. Jeff walks through what i-charging does at the site design stage, including an RFP where reading the e-sheets first saved a fleet depot roughly a million dollars in DC cable runs. In this conversation: Land grab to site business case — why ROI, not availability, now decides where chargers goWhy "in warranty or out of warranty" was always the wrong questionFixed-output hardware vs. architecture that scales from 50 kW to 1.6 MWDynamic power allocation: moving power between vehicles in real time instead of stranding it20–25% more power in 60–65% of the footprint — and why space is the real site constraintThe nine-month outage that took 36 hours to fixSubstituting AC runs for DC runs at the design stage to cut CapEx before a charger is ever orderedAvailability, uptime, and charge session success — what to actually measure, and why 40% of service issues are commsCharging education as the industry's unfinished work — even a fourteen-year veteran had to call supporteVTOL charging with Embraer's Eve Air Mobility, and one site serving cars, trucks, and aircraftWhy the next five years bring convergence, not more segment-by-segment funding silos CONNECT WITH JEFF LinkedIn: Jeff Cohen Web: https://i-charging.tech

    i-Charging: From Fixed Hardware to Adaptive Infrastructure

  2. Sep 8

    The Future of Trucking Is Electric. Are We Ready?

    Send us Fan Mail Transportation electrification is moving beyond passenger vehicles and into freight, logistics, and other commercial applications. In Episode 41 of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes welcomes John Friedrich, Chief Development Officer of Skycharger. John shares his path from environmental and clean-energy work to developing EV charging infrastructure for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles. The conversation explores why short-haul and drayage operations may be particularly well suited for electrification, as well as the factors fleet operators should consider when evaluating a transition from diesel. John discusses vehicle range, driver experience, charging availability, replacement cycles, public funding, and potential fuel and maintenance savings. Jason and John also examine Skycharger’s planned charging hub at the Port of San Diego. The proposed project includes 70 chargers—50 of which are expected to use the Megawatt Charging System—to help support the port’s broader clean-air and zero-emission transportation objectives. The episode concludes with a broader look at global EV adoption, infrastructure policy, and why John believes technological progress and economics may continue moving commercial transportation toward electrification. Key topics discussed: • John’s journey into clean energy and transportation electrification • Skycharger’s role as a charge point operator • The growing opportunity for medium- and heavy-duty EVs • Why drayage and short-haul routes may be strong early applications • Indicators that a fleet may be ready to electrify • Vehicle range, charging breaks, and long-haul operations • The planned charging hub at the Port of San Diego • MCS and CCS charging for commercial vehicles • Driver experience and potential operational savings • Public funding and infrastructure development • Differences between EV deployment in the United States and other markets • The long-term influence of technology and economics on electrification

  3. Sep 1

    Electrification Meets Reality: Infrastructure, AI, and Energy Demand

    Send us Fan Mail AI is accelerating. Data centers are expanding. Electrification keeps moving. But behind all of it sits a question that rarely gets asked out loud: where is the power actually coming from? In this episode of Field Frequency, Jason Cortes is joined by Peter Snel, CEO of PetroVybe, for a conversation about the infrastructure behind the headlines. Peter came into oil and gas as an outsider — a management consultant and self-described "business fixer" — and that outside view is exactly what makes his read on the energy chain worth hearing. The chain is simple to say and hard to build: AI needs data centers, data centers need electricity, and electricity needs a fuel source. Peter walks through where that chain is actually breaking — a two-year backlog on turbine manufacturing, turbines that convert only 30–40% of the fuel you feed them, an aging grid, a severe shortage of commercial electricians, and stranded natural gas in the Permian Basin that gets flared off because the pipeline capacity to move it doesn't exist. Jason brings the transportation side: what NEVI-spec charging sites really demand from a utility, why subsidy money was always "nice to have" and never a business case, and how forward-thinking fuel retailers approached EV charging as a commercial offering rather than a replacement technology. In this conversation: • Why having abundant fuel and being able to deliver power are two completely different problems  • The two-year turbine wait list — and the 60% of energy value lost in conversion  • The fleet that tried to go electric and needed more daily power than its entire town produced  • Why the labor shortage may be the hardest infrastructure constraint to solve  • Trapped gas, negative prices, and what those flares off I-20 in West Texas actually are  • The case against building an industry on subsidies — and the honest counter-argument  • Why Toyota's hybrid strategy beat the all-in EV bet, and what that says about reading a market  • Where the transportation ecosystem lands: not all-electric, but genuinely hybridized It's a direct conversation, and Peter doesn't soften his positions. Whether you're building chargers, operating fleets, or trying to understand the grid underneath all of it, this one is worth your time.

  4. Aug 25

    Location, Utilization, Cash Flow: The Basic Economics of EV Charging

    Send us Fan Mail What turns an EV charging site from an ambitious deployment into a financially viable infrastructure asset? In Episode 38 of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes speaks with Gideon Pfeffer, co-founder and partner of Charge Capital, about the economics behind EV charging infrastructure. Drawing on more than 20 years in commercial real estate and private equity, Gideon explains why EV charging should be evaluated with the same discipline applied to other cash-flowing assets. The conversation examines what the market may have misunderstood during the early rush of capital into EV infrastructure—and why location, utilization and site-level performance matter more than deployment volume alone. Gideon shares how Charge Capital evaluates revenue assumptions, expenses, incentives, operational costs and the evidence needed to validate a project before capital is deployed. Jason and Gideon also discuss the future of the charge point operator model, the likelihood of industry consolidation and the financial importance of uptime and ongoing maintenance. From choosing sites where charging is easy to install to choosing sites where charging is likely to succeed, this episode offers a practical look at the fundamentals that could shape the next phase of EV infrastructure investment. In this episode Gideon’s path from commercial real estate and private equity into energy infrastructureThe capital gap facing middle-market EV charging and energy projectsWhy EV charging infrastructure should be evaluated as a cash-flowing assetWhat early investors may have overlooked about utilization and site-specific demandWhy “location, location, location” still applies to EV chargingThe risks of relying too heavily on incentives or broad EV adoption forecastsHow proof of cash flow affects the cost and availability of capitalAsset-light, vertically integrated and partnership-driven CPO modelsWhy the EV charging market may be positioned for consolidationHow uptime, O&M and reliability affect financial performanceThe importance of validating every assumption in a project pro formaThe demand signals Charge Capital considers when evaluating new opportunities About Gideon Pfeffer Gideon Pfeffer is a co-founder and partner of Charge Capital, a capital markets firm focused on helping middle-market energy developers and charge point operators access debt and equity. He is also CEO and managing partner of the GSH Group and brings more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, private equity and cash-flowing residential investments. Through Charge Capital, Gideon and his team work with energy developers and operators to evaluate projects, organize capital and build infrastructure portfolios. Connect with Gideon and Charge Capital Connect with Gideon Pfeffer on LinkedInEmail Gideon: gideon@charge-capital.comGeneral inquiries: info@charge-capital.comVisit Charge Capital’s website: https://charge-capital.com

  5. Aug 19

    From Hardware to Charging Success: Mike DiNucci on the Next Era of EV Infrastructure

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build an industry before the market fully understands the need? In this episode of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes sits down with Mike DiNucci, Chief Revenue Officer at AmpUp and one of the earliest commercial leaders in EV charging. Mike shares the unconventional path that took him from owning a neighborhood coffee and ice cream shop to becoming the first nontechnical employee at Coulomb Technologies, later known as ChargePoint. Drawing on nearly two decades in the industry, Mike explores how EV charging has evolved through three distinct eras: hardware differentiation, software capabilities, and the growing demand for serviceability and charging success. He and Jason discuss why a charger showing “online” does not necessarily mean a driver can complete a session—and why post-installation support may determine which companies lead the next decade of EV infrastructure. The conversation also covers the shift from a “pump” mindset to a “park” model, the importance of simplifying complex charging operations, the value of hardware and software flexibility, and the consolidation Mike expects to see across the market. Along the way, Mike explains why he remains confident in the future of electric transportation despite industry headwinds. • Mike’s unconventional path from small-business owner to EV charging pioneer • What it was like selling charging infrastructure before mass-market EVs existed • Why workplace charging helped establish the early market • The three eras of EV charging: hardware, software, and service • The difference between platform uptime and charging-session success • Why site hosts need simplicity without sacrificing capability • How the “pump-to-park” shift changes the way drivers think about charging • Why post-installation service could shape the next decade of EV infrastructure • What market consolidation may mean for charging networks, hardware providers, and site hosts • Mike’s outlook for EV adoption and the future of the industry About Mike Mike DiNucci is the Chief Revenue Officer at AmpUp. An early leader in EV charging, he joined Coulomb Technologies—later ChargePoint—as its first nontechnical employee and went on to spend nearly 12 years helping grow the company’s global sales organization. Today, he brings nearly two decades of industry experience to AmpUp, where he helps advance flexible EV charging management solutions designed to work across a wide range of hardware. Connect with Mike and AmpUp Connect with Mike DiNucci on LinkedIn Email: mike@ampup.io Visit: https://ampup.io CHAPTERS 00:00 — "What does EV stand for?"  00:52 — Meet Mike DiNucci, CRO of AmpUp  01:15 — The mentor Mike never knew he had  03:06 — From selling gelato in Saratoga to selling $80K workstations  06:04 — Laid off in 2008: the lunch that changed everything  08:50 — Employee #1 who wasn't an engineer at ChargePoint  09:15 — "Shouting into a hurricane": selling EV charging in 2009  10:07 — Whose problem is charging infrastructure, anyway?  11:15 — The four places people park, and why dwell time changes everything  14:20 — The one vertical that didn't care about ROI  16:37 — The three eras: hardware, software, and service  19:04 — "Who's going to roll the truck when I need help?"  20:25 — Why the industry still can't operationalize charging  21:55 — Uptime vs. charging success rate: the metric that matters  23:51 — Charging-as-a-service and the chasm we're in  26:27 — Hiding complexity: the single pane of glass  31:31 — Better Place, battery swapping, and $1B in failed bets  34:19 — Pump model vs. park model: "It takes 15 seconds to charge"  35:26 — Your mom's 100-foot phone cord and every paradigm shift ever  37:07 — Texas grew 15x in EVs. The chargers didn't follow.  39:48 — Why car companies don't actually want to sell you an EV  41:51 — The cellular network analogy: how many CMS platforms survive?  44:01 — Rivian, vertical integration, and knowing your lane  46:22 — AmpUp's original idea: "Airbnb for EV charging"  48:10 — Five-year prediction: attrition, consolidation, and the three pillars  50:36 — $7.49 gas and the case against EV pessimism  54:48 — What actually differentiates a CMS platform in 2026  54:55 — How to reach Mike

  6. Aug 11

    Charging 3.0: Beyond the EV Charger Ribbon Cutting

    Send us Fan Mail A charger can be online, well-located, and still fail commercially. Uptime tells you the hardware works. Utilization tells you the business works — and right now, too many stations are stuck at 1–4%. In this episode, Jason Cortes is joined by Loren McDonald, founder of Chargeonomics, to unpack what actually pulls an EV driver to a charger: pricing, retail partnerships, customer experience, amenities, and — increasingly — showing up in the car's navigation screen. Recorded the same morning the news broke, they dig into EVgo partnering with Tesla — a move Loren calls an "earthquake" — and why the real battleground has shifted from who deploys the most hardware to who wins the driver. Along the way: Why Walmart, Costco, and the new convenience stores are rewriting the playbook through "habit stacking"The Francis Energy site that jumped 5x in utilization overnight — with no change to location or amenitiesNACS vs. CCS, and the flawed assumption that adding a plug brings the Tesla driversWhy rideshare and fleet drivers are the "business travelers" of chargingWhat "Charging 3.0" looks like — loyalty, retail data, and real differentiationHow ChargeMate's AI support is solving the "hidden failures" that never show up in the dataIf you build, operate, or invest in EV charging, this one reframes where the next phase of the industry is actually won. Field Frequency is brought to you by Field Advantage, a national field services organization supporting EV charging infrastructure across the United States. Guest: Loren McDonald, Founder, Chargeonomics Host: Jason Cortes Enjoying the show? Follow Field Frequency on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, and leave a rating to help more people in the industry find it.

  7. Aug 4

    Percepta — How Customer Experience Will Become Mobility Infrastructure

    Send us Fan Mail Omar Riahi, Global EV Enablement and Sales Development at Percepta, joins Field Frequency to discuss why customer experience is becoming essential mobility infrastructure. From EV onboarding and charging reliability to connected vehicles, fleet electrification and autonomous transportation, Omar explores how reducing friction could accelerate EV adoption and strengthen customer loyalty. The future of mobility depends on more than innovative vehicles and charging technology—it also requires an ownership experience customers can understand and trust. In Episode 36 of Field Frequency, host Jason Cortes speaks with Omar Riahi, Global EV Enablement and Sales Development at Percepta. Omar explains how Percepta supports the automotive customer lifecycle, from presale and onboarding through charging assistance, connected services, dealership support and resale. Drawing on his experience working directly with EV owners, dealerships, charge point operators and engineering teams, Omar identifies fragmentation as one of the industry’s most significant challenges. Charging procedures, payment systems, adapters and digital platforms can vary widely, creating unnecessary friction for drivers. Jason and Omar also explore how software-defined vehicles are reshaping transportation. Over-the-air updates, connected services, telematics and bidirectional charging could turn vehicles into increasingly integrated parts of our homes, businesses and energy systems. The conversation covers: Why customer trust and effective support are critical to EV adoptionHow proactive onboarding can improve the ownership experienceThe need for simple, consistent and reliable chargingWhy charging availability may be the key to making charging feel invisibleHow customer experience can support loyalty, revenue and ROIThe growing role of software-defined and connected vehiclesDifferences between retail and fleet electrificationHome-charging reimbursement options for fleet vehiclesVehicle-to-home, vehicle-to-building and vehicle-to-grid applicationsA future shaped by autonomous mobility and wireless roadway chargingConnect with Omar on LinkedIn and learn more about Percepta at percepta.com. Omar Riahi is the Global EV Enablement & Sales Development Manager at Percepta, specializing in innovative customer support strategies for the EV industry. With over 15 years of expertise in customer service operations, process optimization, and EV support technologies, Omar has driven initiatives that enhance satisfaction, streamline workflows, and reduce costs. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he is known for implementing data-driven solutions that elevate EV customer experiences while creating new value for automotive clients.

  8. Jul 28

    Process then Scale: Maricela McKenzie on Operational Clarity Over Growth Hype

    Send us Fan Mail Most companies think they have a growth problem. This week's guest says they actually have an operational clarity problem. Host Jason talks with Maricela "Marcy" McKenzie, CEO and founder of Clarida Strategies, about how clean-tech and EV startups move from founder-led momentum to repeatable, scalable execution. With a career spanning oil & gas, SolarCity/Tesla, EVBox, Rivian's Waypoints team, and ChargerHelp, Marcy has seen exactly where growth breaks down — and it's rarely a lack of good ideas. In this conversation: Why "the founder cannot continue to be the operating system of the company"The difference between a real pipeline and the illusion of oneThe hidden costs of scaling without systems — and how you burn capital quietlyUsing your CRM as a system of truth, not a filing cabinetHow buyers actually buy vs. how you wish they wouldWhere AI genuinely helps go-to-market — and where it's just noiseA look inside Marcy's SCALE framework: Survey, Clarify, Architect, Launch, EnhanceWhether you're a founder, sales leader, or operator, you'll walk away with a sharper sense of how to build capability instead of chaos. Field Frequency is powered by FieldAdvantage, specialists in the maintenance and operation of critical infrastructure, including EV charging networks.

See All (42)

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Field Frequency
  • Show Website
    Field Frequency