The Urban EV Podcast

The secret to winning in the used EV market? Listening to the market itself. When Jimmy Douglas, founder and CEO of Plug, shares how he went from slow growth to a $100 million business in just three years, one thing stands out: Stop pushing and started listening. It’s a lesson as old as sales itself: don’t get your way into a market. Let the market pull you in. Jimmy’s experience at Tesla taught him one thing: Data is king. But more than that, it’s the ability to interpret and adapt based on real feedback. By focusing on real-world needs like reduced inventory turnaround times and comprehensive vehicle data, Plug figured out what their customers truly wanted and once they aligned their approach with market signals, growth exploded. That’s the power of speed and humility in a startup. Listen for the signals. And maybe that’s all it takes to turn a slow burn into a hockey stick. Chapters: 0:00 - Cold Open 0:30 - Intro & Sponsor: Battery Powered 1:32 - Meet Jimmy Douglas & Plug 2:48 - The $100M Hockey Stick 4:30 - Debunking the "Used EV Meltdown" 6:39 - OEM Landscape & the China Threat 8:30 - Dealer Adoption: Who's In, Who's Out 10:41 - Five Years at Tesla 14:32 - Founding Story: The Leap to Plug 17:50 - The Core Problem: Used EV Data 20:42 - 14 Pivots to Product-Market Fit 25:35 - Consumer Pull & Organic Growth 27:14 - EV Subsidies & the Free Market Case 32:01 - The Next Decade for Used EVs 36:54 - Favorite EVs Right Now 38:09 - Outro Find out more about Plug at www.plugmotors.com Visit our sponsor Battery Powered at www.getbatterypowered.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most city dwellers pay dearly for a car they rarely use, and still, it's hard to access when it truly matters. Ezra Goldman, the visionary behind Upshift, is changing the game. He reveals how autonomous car subscriptions, featuring remote-controlled fleet vehicles, innovative operational models, and strategic teleoperation, are set to reshape urban mobility. You'll discover why current car-sharing models like Zipcar and traditional rentals fall short for parts of the population with specific mobility needs, and how a smarter, more reliable alternative is already on the horizon. Ezra breaks down the practical benefits of autonomous vehicle subscriptions: cars that show up exactly when needed, get cleaned and charged at central depots, and eliminate the frustrations of availability, unpredictability, and maintenance. This episode dives into disruptive concepts like tele-operations, remote assistance, and the rise of purpose-built personal autonomous vehicles designed for city use. Ezra reveals how Chinese automakers are pioneering the affordable models that will expand access worldwide, and the crucial shift automakers and fleets must embrace to stay relevant. Get ready to rethink the roads. This is the future of urban mobility, and it's ready to roll. Chapters: 00:40 Ezra Goldman Introduction 08:55 Challenges in Car Sharing Models 14:08 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles 21:17 Bridging to Autonomous Solutions 25:05 Teleoperated Car Sharing: A New Frontier 27:51 Innovating Legacy Businesses in the Automotive Sector 32:27 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities 34:44 Teleoperations vs. Full Autonomy: The Great Debate 42:26 Predictions for the Next Five Years in Autonomous Driving To find out more about Upshift, visit: www.upshiftcars.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EV analyst, Loren McDonald, joins the show to dissect the latest trends, ironically starting with the price of gas. We'll delve into how fluctuating prices are accelerating EV adoption and the critical importance of developing robust home and multifamily charging infrastructures. Loren provides insights into automakers' strategic investments in charging ecosystems and the challenges of public fast charging reliability. We'll also explore the evolving standards for charging connectors and what the next 3-5 years hold for EV technology. Get ready for an in-depth discussion packed with expert analysis and future predictions. Loren McDonald can be found on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenmcdonald/ Chapters 00:00 GM president's take getting dealers to take note on EVs 01:35 Gas Prices and Their Influence on EV Sales 04:00 Regional Differences in EV Adoption 06:58 The Role of Charging Infrastructure in EV Adoption 09:53 Loren's Journey into the EV Industry 12:42 What the EV Industry is Getting Right and Wrong 23:45 The Evolution of Electric Vehicles 26:24 Honda's Strategic Decisions in the EV Market 29:30 Toyota's Shift Towards Electric Vehicles 34:44 The Future of Charging Experience 45:36 Consumer Mindset and EV Charging Habits 46:56 Close Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over a third of the US population lives in multifamily housing without charging access. That's a massive EV transition hurdle. So what's the solution? Samuel Bordenave, former Chief Commercial Officer at SWTCH, joins The Urban EV Podcast with some answers as we discuss the equity issues surrounding charging access for multifamily housing, the technical hurdles of retrofitting buildings, and the importance of partnerships in creating a robust charging network. Samuel shares insights from his experience at Tesla and emphasizes the need for a customer-centric approach in the EV industry. The conversation also touches on the future of EV charging, including bi-directional technology and the impact of political changes on the market. Chapters 0:00 Open 0:24 Samuel Bordenave Introduction 1:10 Challenges in Urban EV Charging 3:05 Equity and Access Issues 5:07 Business Case for Lower Income Areas 7:37 Lessons from Multifamily and Commercial Deployments 11:05 Technical and Operational Challenges 14:13 Switch's Unique Solutions 16:25 Partnerships and Market Transformation 21:34 Insights from Tesla Experience 24:49 Impact of Politics and Subsidies 30:50 Future of Urban EV Charging 41:16 Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Russo, SmartCharge Clean Energy Program Manager at Con Edison wants to give you money as SmartCharge incentivizes off-peak charging to balance grid demand and make everybody a winner. Chris joins to show to share the marketing secrets he learned at Tesla and how he applies them at Con Edison, as he shares insights on consumer behavior, the importance of data in infrastructure planning, and the future of EV adoption in New York. The conversation also touches on the Power Ready program, micro-mobility initiatives, and the challenges of vehicle-to-grid technology. This episode highlights the collaborative efforts to enhance electric mobility and sustainability in urban environments. For New York residents interested in finding out more about SmartCharge, visit: https://scny.ev.energy Use referral code: ROBYHO to receive 60 bonus incentive points Chapters Introduction and Guest Introduction - 00:00:00 Transition from Tesla to Con Edison - 00:03:40 Understanding Smart Charge New York - 00:07:20 Grid Reliability and Managed Charging - 00:11:00 Program Expansion and Future Plans - 00:14:40 Curbside Charging and Infrastructure - 00:18:20 Conclusion and Future Outlook - 00:25:00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests Bob Granito and Bill Thau from IVP Research Labs join the show to discuss the intersection of autonomous systems and EVs, sharing insights from comprehensive research studies that reveal surprising findings about stress levels when cars drive autonomously compared to manual driving. The conversation highlights the importance of user experience and system intuitiveness in fostering trust and acceptance of autonomous technology. We also dive into the future of autonomous technology, examining how public perception is shifting towards acceptance and what lies ahead for the industry. Whether you're an EV enthusiast or curious about the future of transportation, this episode offers valuable insights in the future of how cars will be driven. Chapters 00:00:21 Introduction to Autonomous Driving 00:01:29 IVP Research and Automotive Autonomy 00:02:34 Case Study: Stress Levels in Autonomous Driving 00:09:39 Adoption and User Experience 00:13:33 Future of Autonomous Technology 00:31:12 Conclusion and Future Outlook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Temperamental classic cars aren't exclusively for show. In this episode we explore the fascinating world of electric vehicle conversions with Justin Lunny, Founder & CEO at Everrati. The conversation delves into the mindset of modern car buyers, the procurement strategies for sourcing classic cars, and the intricate process of converting these vehicles into electric models. Justin shares insights on building a strong brand identity, converting skeptics into EV enthusiasts, and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs in the tech and sustainability sectors. Join us as we glimpse into Everrati's future plans and innovations in the automotive industry. Chapters 00:00 The Mindset of the Modern Car Buyer 02:56 Procurement and Supply Chain Insights 05:37 The Conversion Process Explained 08:30 Navigating Skepticism in EV Adoption 11:01 Building a Strong Brand Identity 13:51 Advice for Entrepreneurs in Tech and Sustainability 16:43 Future Plans and Innovations at Everati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you get food retailers to buy into EV charging? Not by measuring success with electrons sold, but cups of coffee. Seriously. Gideon van Dijk CEO at Chargetrip joins The Urban EV Podcast to share his take on the importance of charging infrastructure, the psychology behind EV adoption, and the innovative solutions ChargeTrip offers to improve the EV driving experience. Gideon also shares insights on the current state of the EV market in Europe, the utilization of charging stations, and the future of electrification in logistics and commercial vehicles. The conversation highlights the need for better utilization of existing chargers and the role of technology in facilitating the transition to electric mobility Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:16 Gideon van Dijk's Journey to ChargeTrip 02:54 Identifying the Problem in EV Adoption 04:49 ChargeTrip's Solution and Technology 06:10 Target Audience and Business Model 08:13 Current Impact and Future Goals 10:51 Infrastructure: More Chargers or Better Utilization? 13:21 Driving Utilization with ChargeTrip 15:20 Competing with Navigation Giants 17:39 Understanding the Motivations for Switching to EVs 20:32 Data Insights and Aha Moments 24:26 The Importance of Charging Infrastructure 25:07 Challenges in Fleet Electrification 26:13 Integrating Charge Trip into Logistics 27:46 Optimizing Fleet Operations for Electrification 31:23 The Role of Retailers in EV Charging 36:15 Future Opportunities in the EV Market Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scaling EV charging infrastructure is no easy task. But Marina Hod, Managing Director Americas at Wevo Energy, appears to be ready for the challenge ahead. In this episode of The Urban EV Podcast, we discuss the role of AI in optimizing energy use, the importance of smart charging systems, and the future of EV charging technology. Marina shares insights on real-world successes, the integration of EV charging with existing infrastructure, and the significance of distributed energy resources in the evolving energy landscape. From the challenges of grid stability to the promise of a frictionless EV charging experience, this episode is a roadmap to the future of mobility. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Marina Hod's Background and Wevo Energy 02:44 Current Challenges in EV Charging and Grid Stability 05:48 The Role of AI in EV Charging 07:37 Understanding Wevo Energy's Solutions 08:33 Real-World Success Stories of EV Charging 09:45 Integrating EV Charging with Existing Infrastructure 11:19 Benefits of Smart Charging Systems 14:24 Exploring Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology 16:26 Future of EV Charging: Predictions for the Next Decade 20:10 Dispelling Myths About EV Charging 23:50 The Importance of Distributed Energy Resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public EV charger utilization is a broken model and Madhav Ayyagari and David Alspaugh, co-founders of Inductive Robotics, may have figured out a way to fix it through autonomous EV charging. Our conversation explores the founders' journeys, the necessity of their solution in the face of growing EV adoption and inadequate infrastructure, and the technical workings of their robotic charging system. They delve into the challenges of fundraising in the hardware space, the importance of vehicle compatibility, and the future roadmap for their technology, emphasizing the potential for scalability and improved user experience in EV charging. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Autonomous EV Charging 01:05 Founders' Journey and Vision 03:21 The Necessity of Autonomous Charging Solutions 08:14 How the Charging System Works 10:18 Technical Specifications and Charging Rates 12:18 Utilization and ROI in EV Charging 15:33 The Smart Adapter Explained 18:11 Challenges in Vehicle Compatibility 21:11 Robotic Navigation and Charging Process 27:15 Future Applications and Scalability 32:38 Fundraising Journey and Challenges 39:16 Roadmap for the Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices