120 - Simplifying the EV Charging Experience for the Consumer

Vehicle manufacturers and connected service providers are seeking new ways to increase customer engagement, sell more digital services, and generate recurring revenues throughout the life of connected vehicles. Studies of infotainment behavior show that users engaged in games can spend 3 to 5 times longer interacting with vehicle displays than users of traditional infotainment applications, creating new opportunities for subscriptions, advertising, premium services, and customer retention. However, delivering successful in-vehicle gaming services requires overcoming several challenges including achieving low-latency gaming experiences through smart infotainment integration, convincing vehicle owners and passengers to regularly use and pay for gaming services, and implementing driver monitoring systems and safety controls that comply with regulations and prevent driver distraction. Listen to this podcast episode to discover how OEMs and service providers are enabling fast and engaging in-vehicle gaming experiences, examples of how vehicle manufacturers encourage users to try gaming services and the results they are achieving, along with the key safety, monitoring, and compliance technologies required to keep vehicle occupants safe while creating new digital revenue opportunities. Topics Covered: In-Vehicle Gaming Platforms Connected Vehicle Gaming Gaming Revenue Opportunities Passenger Entertainment Services Smartphone Game Controllers Low-Latency Gaming Connected Vehicle Monetization Automotive Gaming Platforms Digital Service Bundling Multiplayer Social Gaming Driver Safety Controls In-Car Gaming Integration Vehicle Infotainment Gaming Autonomous Vehicle Entertainment Connected Gaming Service

Podcast Host: Omar Riahi Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating, but one barrier still frustrates drivers more than anything else. It is charging confusion. In this episode, we break down why EV charging remains unnecessarily complex, what the industry must do to fix it. From power levels, connectors, to charging apps, route planning, real-time station reliability, today's EV driver is expected to understand far more than they should, and we explore how simplifying the charging experience can dramatically improve consumer confidence, increasing sales and strength. Topics Covered: EV Charging Simplification Charging Confusion Reduction EV Driver Education Charging User Experience Charging Terminology Simplification Connector Compatibility Awareness Charging Speed Understanding Color-Coded Charging System Intelligent Route Planning Real-Time Charger Availability Charging Cost Transparency Plug and Charge Experience Charger Reliability Improvement Cross-Network Charging Access Consumer Charging Confidence Building About Expert Guest Matt Teske: Matt Teske is the founder and CEO of Chargeway, a software platform simplifying how drivers understand and use electric fueling. He has over 20 years of leadership and development experience spanning automotive branding, energy communication, and digital innovation. Matt has worked at Teske Designs, Drive Marketing Group, and SK Apparel, where he's led creative direction and brand strategy for major automotive and energy clients. He has pioneered consumer education in EV charging, developed an intuitive color-coded system for public charging networks, and advocates for clearer messaging between automakers, utilities, and consumers to accelerate EV adoption. His work continues to shape how the industry communicates electrification to mainstream audiences.  

Automotive OEM businesses are rapidly shifting from one-time vehicle sales toward connected digital services that can generate high-profit recurring revenues throughout the entire lifecycle of connected vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers typically earn only 4% to 10% profit margins from vehicle manufacturing, while digital services can generate margins approaching 70%. GM predicts that by 2030 it could earn more revenue from digital services than from vehicle manufacturing itself. However, OEMs, platform providers, and automotive technology companies face major challenges including rapidly expanding feature and service options, unclear monetization models, and the difficulty of getting vehicle owners and occupants to actively use and pay for connected services. Listen to this podcast session to discover the key types of connected vehicle services, surprising new revenue opportunities, and the emerging software-defined vehicle trends that are transforming automotive platforms into long-term high-profit digital service ecosystems. Topics Covered: Connected Vehicle Services Software-Defined Vehicles - SDVs Connected Vehicle Monetization Digital Service Revenues Paid Feature Activation Subscription Services In-Vehicle Advertising Vehicle Data Monetization Connected Vehicle Sharing Connected Vehicle Platforms Vehicle App Ecosystems Connected Service Customer Adoption Android Automotive OS - AAOS Vehicle Cloud Services Connected Vehicle Industry Standards  

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) are transforming automobiles into continuously evolving digital platforms capable of rapidly delivering new connected services, software features, and recurring revenue opportunities for OEMs and mobility providers. Surprisingly, a modern connected vehicle operating system can contain more than 100 million lines of software code—far more than the approximately 6.5 million lines used in a Boeing 787—highlighting the enormous complexity and value of automotive software platforms. Developing connected vehicle services involves integrating vehicle ECUs, cloud platforms, mobile apps, APIs, billing systems, and third-party services while overcoming compatibility, operational, onboarding, and standardization challenges across different OEM architectures. Listen to this podcast session to discover practical strategies, tools, and best practices for successfully developing, deploying, and managing connected vehicle services for next-generation automotive platforms.  Topics Covered: Software-Defined Vehicles Connected Services Development Vehicle Personalization Services Automotive E-Commerce ADAS Feature Activation Usage-Based Insurance Digital Content Services Cloud Platform Integration Vehicle Data Analytics Mobile App Development Service-Oriented Architecture Cross-Functional Collaboration Connected Service Monetization Digital Twin Platforms Customer Onboarding Systems  

Many EV Charging System owners and business operators want to find, qualify for, and secure grants and incentives to help cover the high costs of installing and operating EV chargers—but the process can seem overwhelming. Here's the shocking part: in addition to programs that fund up to 80% of equipment and installation costs, there are hidden grants, incentives, and tax credits that can also cover operational expenses and rebates few people know exist. Yet most applicants struggle with complex applications, unclear eligibility rules, maintenance requirements, and narrow funding windows that make it easy to miss out. In this podcast session, you'll discover how to identify the most valuable EV charging grants and incentives, understand what they really cover, and learn proven strategies to apply and manage them successfully. Topics Covered: EV Charging Grants & Incentives Grants & Incentive Surprises? Federal Grant Options State Incentive Programs Utility Rebate Programs Local Municipality Grants Private Grant Sources Hidden Incentive Discovery Carbon Credits Monetization Carbon Credit Ownership Rights Funding Eligibility Rules Implementation Manual Requirements Required Documentation Packages ADA Access Requirements OCPP Certification Requirements Tax Credit Stacking About Willie More - EV Charging Grants and Incentives Expert Willie Moore is an EV funding, rebates, and incentive specialist at Resound Energy, where he helps organizations navigate the complex landscape of grants, utility incentives, and clean-energy funding programs that support EV charging and electrification projects. He brings leadership and project-development experience across energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation electrification, with a focus on helping commercial and multifamily property owners reduce upfront costs and improve project ROI. Willie has worked with public and private stakeholders to identify eligible funding sources, prepare incentive documentation, and align EV charging projects with utility and government program requirements. His work supports faster deployment of EV infrastructure while minimizing financial and compliance risk for site hosts and developers.    

Apartment complexes and MDU owners face growing pressure to offer reliable, accessible, and profitable EV charging that connects seamlessly with public EV charging networks. Here's the surprising truth — public-access chargers at apartments see 50–80% higher utilization than resident-only units, and properties that enable public use can unlock up to 40% more in financial incentives.  Yet many owners and integrators struggle with charger-to-network compatibility issues, billing system errors, and loss of property branding once chargers go public. In this podcast episode, we'll unpack how to overcome these hurdles and discover proven ways to deploy EV charging systems that work flawlessly with public networks—boosting revenue, reliability, and resident satisfaction. Topics Covered: What is Public EV Charging at Apartment Complexes? Why are Public EV Charging at Apartment Complexes Important? Key Types of EV Charging Ownership Business Models How does Public EV Charging at Apartment Complexes Work - Basically? What are Typical Public Charger Utilization Rates at Apartments? How Long Does it Take to Setup Public EV Charging at Apartment Complexes? What are Public Access Revenue Opportunities at Apartments? What are key Incentives for Public Charging at Apartment Complexes? What Services and/or Equipment are Needed to Setup Public EV Charging at Apartments? EV Charger-to-Network Compatibility How to Manage Public and Resident EV Charger Access EV Charger User Groups for Access Control Public EV Charger Permitting Timelines Will Public EV Charging at Apartment Complexes and MDUs Work with Most Systems? How to Prevent Non-Resident EV Charger Overuse Is Training Required for Public EV Charging at Apartments? About Expert Mike Battaglia Mike Battaglia is Blink's President and CEO. He has over 30 years of leadership and development experience with growth strategy, global operations, and EV infrastructure expansion and has overseen Blink's rapid global expansion and service and product launches.  He previously worked at J.D. Power, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., and SmartDisk, and up until earlier this year served as Blink's COO before being promoted to President and CEO. He has led Blink's revenue growth, has overseen the global rollout of EV chargers in multifamily residences, workplaces, fleets and public venues, and has been recognized among industry leaders driving EV adoption and sustainability in transport.  

Adding EV chargers to apartments and multi-dwelling units appears to strain the property's electrical capacity, creating a major barrier to adoption. Shockingly, without smart energy management, 90% of apartment EV charging projects stall before installation even begins. The challenges are clear: costly and disruptive electrical upgrades, underutilized infrastructure that could instead support up to four times more EVs with smart load balancing, and excessive utility demand charges that can be reduced by as much as 40%. Smart load management not only reduces costs but also prepares properties to meet upcoming EV charging requirements and regulatory mandates. Load management can help to fulfill or plan for upcomding EV Charging requirements and regulations. In this session, you'll discover how smart EV charger energy management unlocks scalable, cost-effective EV charging installations and expansions while minimizing electrical requirements—making it essential listening for property owners, integrators, and EV industry leaders alike. Topics Covered: What is Smart EV Charger Energy Management? Cost Savings from Load Management Shared Circuit Charging Configuration Software-Based Energy Management Local vs. Cloud Load Balancing Apartment EV Charging Deployment Priority Charging and User Requests OCPP Protocol Integration Transparency and User Communication Electrical Design and Installation Steps EV Readiness Ordinances Compliance Utility Demand Charge Reduction Assigned Parking and Charging Access Property Manager and Resident Training Equipment Compatibility and Vendor Vetting Metrics for Measuring Deployment Success About Expert Guest Cory Miller: Cory Miller is the Co-Founder and CEO of PlugOp Technologies. He has over 8 years of leadership and development experience with EV charging systems, energy management strategies, and battery optimization. Cory has conducted advanced research at Ohio State University's Center for Automotive Research and authored multiple international conference and journal papers on charging optimization and battery degradation modeling. He has founded PlugOp Technologies to deliver scalable EV charging solutions for multi-family properties, helping renters access reliable charging while ensuring fast ROI for property owners. He has combined technical expertise with business development skills to create innovations that make EV adoption practical, profitable, and sustainable.    

Marketing and selling EV charging systems to apartments and MDUs is often seen as complicated, expensive, and difficult to execute effectively. Yet surprising data reveals that properties with EV charging experience 19% fewer move-outs annually, generate new recurring revenue streams, and even achieve up to 15% reductions in liability insurance premiums when chargers include real-time monitoring. Despite these benefits, property owners continue to face costly tenant turnover of $2,500–$3,500 per unit, ongoing security and liability risks in shared spaces, and mounting pressure to unlock fresh revenue opportunities. This session will show you how to overcome these challenges with strategies that help you reach, attract, and motivate apartment and MDU decision-makers—while giving you practical methods to qualify leads, communicate value, and close profitable sales. Topics Covered: Tenant Retention Advantage Rental Premiums and New Revenue Streams Insurance and Risk Reduction Rebates and Incentives Overcoming Common Objections Electrical Load Management Pitch Property Value Appreciation Predictable Recurring Revenue vs. Public Charging Subscription vs. Usage Models Marketing Messaging: The Four R's Multi-Channel Marketing Strategy Sales Outreach Tactics Timing and Urgency Messaging Green Certifications and ESG Positioning Tenant Engagement and Future-Proofing About Expert Guest Lawrence Harte Lawrence Harte is an EV technology and systems expert with deep expertise in marketing and sales. He is the author of Connected EVs Explained, EV Charging Systems for Apartments, and more than 150 other books on technology, media, and business. Lawrence is also the editor of EV Business Magazine, host of the EV Business Podcast, and publisher of the EV Industry Directory. With formal training in sales from Dale Carnegie, Tom Hopkins, Sandler Sales, and others, he brings both practical and academic insight to sales strategy. He actively uses leading CRM and sales management platforms including HubSpot, Zoho, is a Salesforce Trailblazer. Lawrence also founded and hosted the Sales Lead Generation Secrets conference and is a member of several business mastermind groups.  

Owners and operators of multi-dwelling units face growing pressure to provide EV charging that is affordable, flexible, and easy to manage—but traditional corded chargers often fall short. A surprising benefit of plug-in chargers is that they are 30–40% smaller than wall-mounted cabled units, making installation simpler and more acceptable to landlords and property managers. This podcast will explore key challenges—such as high upfront costs, limited electrical capacity, and the incompatibility of corded chargers with multiple EV connector types—that make charger selection so difficult for apartment and condo communities. Join us to learn how Socket Based EV chargers can deliver universal compatibility, lower costs, and easier load management, helping multi-dwelling units meet resident demand while preparing for the future of mobility. Topics Covered: Socket-Based EV Charger Definition Cost Advantages of Installation Universal Charging Compatibility Space-Saving Charger Design Daisy Chaining Infrastructure Efficiency Load and Power Management Wireless Mesh Connectivity Driver Metering and Billing Ease of Charger Installation Low Maintenance Requirements Integration with Existing Systems Flexible User Access Options Scalable for MDUs and Hotels Industry Standards and Certifications Revenue Benefits for Property Owners   Guest Bio: Joseph Nagle is the Head of Corporate Strategy and a first hire at Pando Electric. He has over 10 years of leadership and development experience with EVs, EV charging, and distributed energy systems. Joseph was a first hire at EverCharge and Orange Charger, as well as a trusted employee at Samsung, Microsoft, and Nokia.  His work at EverCharge was pivotal to the company being acquired by SK Group in 2022.

Electrifying fleets in the United States can be complicated and costly, creating hesitation for many public and private operators. Yet, the payoff can be remarkable—medium- and heavy-duty EVs deliver around 40% lower maintenance costs compared to their diesel counterparts. Still, the road to electrification is full of obstacles: internal maintenance teams often lack EV-specific skills, charging infrastructure projects can take 12–24 months to complete, and a patchwork of state and municipal regulations creates operational headaches. In this episode, you'll discover high-ROI strategies to help fleets overcome these barriers, scale EV adoption, and unlock the performance gains and cost reductions that make the transition worth it. Topics Covered: Definition of fleet electrification Total cost of ownership Aggregated purchasing programs Operational savings and uptime Driver experience and safety Medium- and heavy-duty adoption Data-driven planning tools Infrastructure-first sequencing CapEx–OpEx budgeting strategy Incentives and tax credits Telematics and fleet dashboards Training and change management Vehicle-to-grid revenue Accelerating policy levers Partnerships and sector resources