The Urban EV Podcast

Rob Hoffman
  • 5.0 (7)
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Urban EV Podcast

Electric vehicle ownership in a city can be daunting when you don't have access to a plug. We explore urban charging infrastructure along with the day-to-day experience and economics of public charging your vehicle in a big city.

  1. 6D AGO

    Revolutionizing EV Charging Reliability

    In this episode of the Urban EV Podcast, we explore the critical issue of charger uptime and reliability with the co-founders of Watts Up, Hilary Taylor and Audrey Wooding. They explore the challenges faced by EV drivers when encountering non-functional charging stations and the innovative AI-driven solutions that Watts Up offers to improve charger reliability. The conversation delves into the scale of charger downtime, the importance of regulatory standards, economic incentives for charge point operators (CPOs), and the future of EV infrastructure. The founders share their backgrounds, the inspiration behind their startup, and their vision for a more reliable EV charging future. Takeaways: Charger uptime is crucial for EV adoption.30% of chargers are often non-functional.AI can significantly improve charger reliability.WhatsApp aims to reduce downtime for EV chargers.Regulatory standards impact charger performance expectations.Economic incentives drive ChargePoint operators to improve uptime.Data integration is key for effective charger management.A successful charge involves multiple factors beyond just connection.The EV industry is moving towards a multi-stakeholder approach.Future expansion plans include international markets. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to EV Charging Challenges 02:26 The Problem of Charger Downtime 04:59 Watts Up's Innovative Solutions 07:28 Pilot Programs and Real-World Impact 10:31 Regulatory Landscape and Industry Standards 12:14 Competition and Market Dynamics 14:33 Technical Insights on Charger Functionality 17:20 Future of EV Charging Infrastructure 19:58 Global Perspectives on EV Adoption 21:10 Conclusion and Future Outlook

    25 min

  2. MAR 3

    Robo Taxis and the EV Frontier: A Conversation with Michael Entner-Gómez

    In this episode of the Urban EV Podcast, we welcome Michael Entner-Gómez. He's  a writer, speaker and environmentalist focused on sustainable innovation, financial models, and strategic ecosystems and maybe most importantly, a lover of Italian cars. Michael discusses his journey from software engineering to a focus on business outcomes and sustainable technology in various industries, including automotive. The conversation covers Tesla's dominance and competition, the rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), and the challenges and benefits of autonomous and electric vehicles. Additionally, we explore the future of transportation as a service, the necessity of government involvement in technology adoption, and the potential for urban air mobility.

    32 min

  3. FEB 27

    Mobile and Fleet EV Charging Solutions? It's Not as Simple as You Think

    In this episode of the Urban EV Podcast, hosts Rob Hoffman and Scott Murphy interview Andrew Richard, CSO at Electrify EVSE, and Wayne Price, VP of Engineering at Electrify Hub. The discussion centers around the challenges and opportunities in fleet electrification and mobile EV charging, particularly focusing on the lack of infrastructure and how Electrify EVSE and Electrify Hub are pioneering solutions to address these issues. They also discuss the role of alternative fuels for grid-free electrification, and the complexities of integrating EV charging into existing systems.

    31 min

  4. FEB 17

    Demystifying the EV Ownership Experience with Steve Birkett

    Plug & Play EV's, Steve Birkett discusses his journey as an early adopter with the Chevy Volt to the Hyundai IONIQ 5, and the evolution of EV charging infrastructure. We explore the impact of public and private funding on EV infrastructure, the role of companies like Revel in charging solutions, and the future of autonomous vehicles, including eVTOLs. The conversation also touches on the importance of content creation in simplifying EV ownership and innovations in EV technology.

    40 min

  5. FEB 14

    Charging Ahead: The Challenge of Structuring Reliable EV Journeys

    In this episode of the Urban EV podcast, we dive into the complexities and advancements of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with Cecile Post from ChargeTrip, a leading backend EV routing engine. We explore the impact of OCPI protocols, the differences in EV adoption between Europe and the US, and the possibilities and limitations of 'plug and charge' technology as ChargeTrip attempts to shape the future of sustainable transportation.00:00 Introduction to the Urban EV Podcast00:35 ChargeTrip: Leading the EV Routing Revolution01:02 Mission and Market Impact of ChargeTrip02:12 Challenges in EV Charging Infrastructure03:36 Enhancing User Experience 06:15 Route Planning and AI Integration07:42 Predicting Energy Needs and Avoiding Range Anxiety16:08 Future of Sustainable Transportation

    20 min

  6. FEB 10

    Changing the Range Anxiety Narrative

    Education of new and potential EV drivers appears to be an auto industry missed memo. So 7 years ago, insider Matt Teske recognized a problem with the EV charging narrative and went out to solve it. He is the founder of Chargeway, a route planning app that demystifies the charging experience. The OEMs may not have taken him seriously at first, but the tide is changing. Matt offers guidance on the past, present and future of road tripping in an EV.

    43 min

  7. FEB 4

    Navigating the Grid: UK vs the US with Graeme Cooper

    Graeme Cooper, an expert in energy transition and EV infrastructure joins cohosts Rob Hoffman and Scott Murphy to discuss the challenges and innovations fueling the green energy revolution. Graeme shares his personal journey with EVs, insights from his work at National Grid, and his current projects in the energy sector. In this conversation, Graeme Cooper reviews the vast differences in infrastructure between the UK and the US. He emphasizes the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on energy demand, the importance of grid reliability, and the need for whole systems thinking in energy management. The discussion also highlights the concept of democratizing energy, encouraging consumer engagement and understanding of energy systems. He highlights the shifting global mindset towards renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs), while also addressing the inertia and momentum in the industry.

    1h 2m

  8. JAN 23

    Chinese Automakers: The New Leaders in EV Innovation

    We witnessed a significant shift towards Chinese made EVs and the concept of software-defined vehicles at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. In today's show, we review why Toyota's traditional manufacturing processes may be hindering their progress, the cultural differences in EV adoption between the US and China. Scott and Rob also discuss the latest innovations in the electric vehicle (EV) market, highlighting the rise of companies like Xpeng, BYD and Great Wall Motors. They explore unique concepts such as the hopping car and the luxurious rear seat experience offered by ZEEKR. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by traditional automakers like BMW in adapting to new technologies and consumer demands, as well as the importance of affordable EV options in the U.S. market. The episode concludes with a look at the future of EV adoption and the role of infrastructure in supporting this transition. CES 2025, Electric Vehicles, Chinese Automakers, Software Defined Vehicles, SDV, Toyota Kaizen, Battery Swapping, EV Adoption, Innovation in Automotive, Future of Transportation, EVs, electric vehicles, BYD, Great Wall Motors, Geely, BMW, ZEEKER, automotive innovation, human-centric design

    33 min
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About

Electric vehicle ownership in a city can be daunting when you don't have access to a plug. We explore urban charging infrastructure along with the day-to-day experience and economics of public charging your vehicle in a big city.

Information

  • Creator
    Rob Hoffman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rob Hoffman
  • Show Website
    The Urban EV Podcast

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