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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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