Summary Ed Bernardon , Host of the Future Car Podcast , delves into the impact of motorsports on electric vehicle innovation, focusing on sustainability, lightweight materials, and safety advancements. Alongside Chase, he discusses the role of carbon fiber, battery technology, and the future of e-fuels in shaping a sustainable automotive industry, emphasizing a balanced approach to fuel sources for the future. Takeaways Motorsports must stay relevant to younger audiences, driving sustainability ...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 56
Summary Bill Ferro , CTO and co-founder of Paren ( https://www.paren.app/ ), discusses the evolution of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and Paren's innovative solutions to improve charger reliability and the driver experience. Ferro highlights the critical role of reliable data in optimizing route planning, especially during emergencies like natural disasters. Bill discusses the critical role of data in the growth of EV charging infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of site pl...
Oct 16, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 55
In this episode of Grid Connections, host Chase Drum sits down with Brian Clark, CEO and co-founder of Ranger EV, to explore how Ranger EV is transforming the electric vehicle charging experience. Brian discusses his unique journey from neuroscience to launching Ranger EV, emphasizing the need for seamless charging solutions for outdoor enthusiasts. The conversation covers charging anxiety, the innovative user experience Ranger EV offers, and the company's vision for growing its charging station...
Oct 09, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 54
Summary Chase sits down with Matt Teske, founder of Chargeway , to explore how Chargeway is revolutionizing the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience. Teske explains how Chargeway’s innovative app makes charging as simple as filling up with gas by using easy-to-understand colors and power levels. They dive deep into the challenges legacy automakers face with EV adoption, particularly in software and dealership education, and why many are struggling to keep up with Tesla's user-friendly charg...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 53
Summary In this episode of the Grid Connections podcast, Chase and John McElroy of Autoline Network , dive into the shifting automotive landscape, with a spotlight on electrification and autonomous vehicles. They examine China’s growing dominance in the EV market, the role of tariffs, and the importance of automaker collaboration to remain competitive. The discussion covers key hurdles to EV adoption, such as public perception and underdeveloped charging infrastructure. Additionally, they explor...
Sep 25, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 52
Summary In this episode, we speak with Janek Metzner and Julius Wilhelm , founders of the Electric Avenue newsletter , about their record-setting EV charging Cannonball Run in a Lucid Air. They share the challenges they faced with charging infrastructure, compare US and European charging experiences, and reveal their strategies for maximizing efficiency. Tune in to hear how this journey showcases the potential of EVs for long-distance travel and why improving charging networks is crucial for the...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 51
Summary In this episode of Grid Connections, Chase sits down with Brandon Watt from Switch Vehicles and Chuck Kauffman from WSU Tech to explore how they're bringing electric vehicle (EV) education to students. Through the SwitchLab EV kit—a hands-on curriculum with real-world applications—students gain valuable experience in EV mechanics, prepping them for the fast-growing EV industry. They dive into the certification process, future program expansions, and the importance of support from schools...
Sep 11, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 50
Summary In the latest Grid Connections episode, Joseph Nagle , Head of Corporate Strategy at Pando Electric , discusses innovative outlet-based EV charging for multi-tenant facilities. These systems cut installation costs by 70% compared to traditional chargers. Nagle highlights the importance of equity, simplicity, and durability in multifamily EV charging. Pando is exploring grid stability, battery solutions, and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology, aiming to make EV charging more efficient and s...
Sep 04, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 49
Summary In this episode, Tu Le , the founder of Sino Auto Insights , discusses China's impact on the global auto industry, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) space. He highlights the rise of Chinese EV companies and the competitive landscape in China, where there are over 140 EV brands. Tu Le emphasizes the importance of value and price in the Chinese market. He also discusses the rapid iteration and innovation in the Chinese EV market, driven by the strong presence of software engineers....
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 48
Summary Steve Birkett from @plugandplayEV shares his experience of an 8,500 mile road trip in an electric vehicle (EV) across the US. Ranging from level 2 charging at over night stops to the different fast charging networks he used, including Electrify America, ChargePoint, and regional providers. We discuss the gaps in charging infrastructure in the middle of the country and the need for more fast chargers in those areas. Steve also highlights the impact of extreme heat on EV charging and the i...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 47
Summary In today's episode, I’m sharing some updates on what’s in store for the podcast moving forward (and recent personal update: I am moving!). I’m looking to increase the number of episodes per week with more episodes involving different panels of guests. Along with exploring partnerships with other teams for more upcoming collaborations like last week's episode with Francie of the Out of Spec Podcast. I’m also thrilled to announce that I’ll be attending the Electrify Expo in San Francisco l...
Aug 14, 2024•13 min•Season 4Ep. 46
Summary: Francie Saunders, host of the Out of Spec podcast , discusses her role at Out of Spec Studios and her passion for electric vehicles (EVs). The podcast covers topics like EV reviews, charging behavior, and expert interviews. Francie, with a background in natural sciences and teaching, aims to make EV content accessible. The conversation explores automakers' challenges, the need for a seamless charging experience, and more small EV options. They also discuss public transportation, hydroge...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 4Ep. 45
Summary In this episode, the panel discusses the current state of the automotive industry and how EV Sales plays into it. The panel also examines the factors that contribute to EV sales, including the charging experience and the availability of charging infrastructure. Highlighting the importance of understanding the target demographics and the need for automakers to focus on software, infrastructure, and user experience to maintain momentum in the EV market. The guests discuss the shift in the ...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Season 4Ep. 44
Summary We sit down with BJ Birtwell , the CEO and Founder of Electrify Expo . North America's largest touring EV festival that showcases all things electric: cars, bikes, scooters, skateboards, watercraft, and more. The festival aims to provide real-world experiences with electric products to help people determine if going electric is right for them. The festival stands out from traditional auto shows by creating a festival environment with music, food, and a wide range of activities. The festi...
Jul 24, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 43
John Voelcker joins us again to discuss recent quarterly EV sales and the growth of the EV market. He mentions that EV sales continue to rise despite the headlines, and he predicts that EVs will make up 10% of the market by the end of the year. He also talks about the introduction of GM's Ultium vehicles and his experience driving the Chevy Blazer EV, Silverado EV, Equinox EV, Cadillac Lyric, and GMC Hummer EV. The conversation then shifts to the Tesla Cybertruck and its potential adoption by tr...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 42
Brenton Murray, founder of Electruck 4x4 , discusses his journey in the EV industry and the development of accessories for electric trucks. He highlights the need for accessories in the EV space, particularly in the overlanding and off-roading community. The focus of Electruck 4x4 is currently on the Rivian R1T, with some products also available for the F-150 Lightning. The company is considering expanding to support the Cybertruck and Silverado EV, among others, in the future. Murray emphasizes...
Jul 10, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 41
Quincy Lee , the CEO and founder of Electric Era , discusses the company's mission to build EV fast charging stations and improve the charging experience for EV drivers. They focus on reliability and aim to achieve a 99.9% success rate. Electric Era uses a battery-backed system, edge compute technology, and a vertically integrated software stack to ensure reliable and seamless charging. They are expanding their charging network across the country, with a focus on high EV density areas. The compa...
Jul 03, 2024•48 min•Season 4Ep. 40
Summary In this episode of the Grid Connections podcast, Chase sits down with Jonny Lieberman, Co-Host of the InEVitable Podcast and Senior Features Editor at MotorTrend . Dive into an engaging discussion on the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the current state of EV charging infrastructure. Key Topics Covered: The pivotal role of software-defined vehicles in enhancing user experience. The ongoing evolution and innovation within the EV industry. Addressing the tribalism and division in...
Jun 26, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Summary Eric Way, host of the YouTube channel News Coulomb , shares his experience with electric vehicles (EVs) and his journey from driving plug-in hybrids to fully electric cars. He discusses his decision to choose the Chevy Bolt EV and the factors that influenced his choice. Eric also expresses his opinion on the plug-in hybrid vs. fully electric debate, stating that he sees no place for plug-in hybrids anymore. He believes that EVs offer a better driving experience and that the charging infr...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Summary Today's panel featuring John McElroy of Autoline Network , Loren McDonald of EVAdoption and Matt Teske of Chargeway follows back up on our previous predictions (Episodes 23 & 24 ) for the electric vehicle industry in 2024! We discuss the progress and challenges of the electric vehicle (EV) market in 2024. Touching on topics such as the range of EVs, the growth of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and the public perception of EVs. We highlight the importance of offering EVs at...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Summary In this episode of the Grid Connections podcast, Chase, Steve Birkett, and Walter Schulze discuss the latest perceptions around EV sales numbers and the challenges dealerships face in selling electric vehicles. They also explore the ongoing rollout of EV charging infrastructure across the country and the tactics charge point operators use to meet various use cases. The conversation highlights the continued growth of the EV market and the importance of dealership engagement and education ...
Jun 05, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 36
Summary In this conversation, Lew Cox , Senior Director of Business Development for X-Charge, discusses the benefits and implementation of microgrids and battery-integrated EV charging solutions. He explains that microgrids are localized communities of generation, storage, and distribution that provide self-sufficiency and grid support. Cox highlights the role of batteries in smoothing out peak loads and enabling grid independence. He also discusses the potential of vehicle-to-grid technology an...
May 16, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 35
In this episode we sit down with Steve Birkett , EV Educator and Founder of Plug and Play EV . We discuss everything from NEVI Funding to EV Road tripping and how far the technology has come in the past decade. Summary Steve Burkett, founder of Plug and Play EV, discusses his journey as an EV driver and content creator. He shares his experiences driving a Bolt EV in the Northeast, including the challenges of winter driving and charging infrastructure. Steve emphasizes the importance of educating...
Apr 10, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Summary Rustam Kocher , a retired expert in the electric transportation space, shares his experiences and insights on the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial trucking industry in this two part episode (check out episode 1 if you haven't already!). The conversation discusses the operational standpoint and capabilities of electric trucks, the generations of electric trucks and their development, and the design considerations for electric trucks. It also explores the advantages of start...
Mar 20, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Summary Rustam Kocher , a retired expert in the electric transportation space, shares his experiences and insights on the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial trucking industry. He discusses the early adoption of electric trucks, the challenges of organizational change, and the development of the Megawatt Charging Standard (MCS) connector. Rustam highlights the importance of getting executives to experience electric vehicles and the need for purpose-built charging infrastructure. He a...
Mar 13, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 32
In this episode, we sit down with David Welch , he's Detroit Bureau Chief at Bloomberg LP and Author of " Charging Ahead ." His book about General Motors' CEO, Mary Barra , and the transformation of the 120 year-old company. We discuss the current state of the domestic automotive industry and the challenges presented by electrification, EV charging, GM's challenges with electrification and more! Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in EV technology and find out what you can expect from...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 31
In this episode, we sit down with Jason Goldfarb of Falcon, Rappaport & Berkman, LLP . We discuss the current state of EV charging and how many of the challenges the industry are seeing have been solved already by learnings from the telecom industry. Specifically the roll out of cell towers for data and overall reception for cell phones. Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in EV technology and find out what you can expect from the EV market in the next few years. From EV charging ...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 30
In this episode, we sit down with Yakov Berenshteyn from WeaveGrid . Their platform is a software built for electric vehicles, EV Charging, renewable energy and how all this ties to utilities ability to manage all of these variables. We discuss the future of EVs and how they will impact the automotive industry and the environment by 2024. Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in EV technology and find out what you can expect from the EV market in the next few years. From EV charging inf...
Feb 22, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Summary John Volcker, Contributing Editor to Car & Driver (and one of the co-hosts of Tempting Fate Tours ), discusses his background in EV journalism and the auto industry's transition to electric vehicles. He shares his insights on the perception of EVs and the factors that have contributed to their acceptance. Along with discussing some of the current trends in the industry. Takeaways The EV transition is unstoppable, but still face hurdles in the short term and it will take time to reach...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 28
We sit down with Mavrick Knoles , the President and Co-Founder of Legacy EV . Summary Mavrick shares his background and the journey of Legacy EV, an aftermarket automotive company focused on EV parts distribution and workforce development. They provide training and support for individuals and businesses in the EV industry , including EV conversions. Maverick discusses the importance of hands-on learning experiences and the development of industry standards for EV technicians. He also highlights ...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 27
