Today on the Turn Down For Watt Podcast we welcome Gus from Gus Bus Boondocks! In this episode we dive deep into EV Van Life, living full-time in a DIY BrightDrop electric camper van, and what it's really like to turn an electric delivery van into a home on wheels. Gus shares why he chose a BrightDrop EV, how long he's been living the van life, where he parks, how he charges, his longest road trips, the challenges of full-time van living, and the incredible freedom that comes with life on the road. If you're interested in van life, EV camping, BrightDrop conversions, electric vehicle travel, off-grid living, or alternative lifestyles, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Check out Gus Bus Boondocks here:

https://youtube.com/@GusBusBoondocks

Welcome back to Turn Down For Watt, your definitive source for the latest news and updates in the EV world. This episode features hosts Josh Turner and Chris Bowe, returning to discuss electric cars and the broader ev news landscape, including a focus on tiny house living. We dive into the current state of electric cars, providing an essential ev buying guide and addressing key car news impacting the industry. Don't miss this insightful look into the future of automotive technology and home design.

We cover:

⚡ Why Gus chose a BrightDrop EV van

⚡ Converting a delivery van into a camper

⚡ Finding places to park and sleep

⚡ Charging while traveling

⚡ The longest trips he's taken

⚡ The biggest challenges of EV van life

⚡ The best parts of living on the road

⚡ Tips for anyone considering van life

If you enjoy EV content from channels like Out of Spec Reviews, State of Charge, Miss GoElectric, Transport Evolved, The Electric Viking, EV Buyers Guide, Mach-E Vlog, or B Family EV, make sure to subscribe and join us for more conversations about electric vehicles, charging, road trips, technology, and the future of transportation.

🔔 Subscribe for more EV news, road trips, reviews, podcasts, charging discussions, and real-world ownership experiences.

#EVVanLife #BrightDrop #VanLife #ElectricVehicle #EVCamping #CamperVan #VanConversion #TurnDownForWatt #ElectricVan #livinginavan

How long does an EV battery really last? Dave's 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E has now surpassed an incredible 350,000 miles, making it one of the highest-mileage Mustang Mach-Es on the road today. In this episode of Turn Down for Watt, we revisit Dave to discuss EV battery degradation, battery health, charging habits, maintenance costs, reliability, and long-term electric vehicle ownership after hundreds of thousands of miles.

When Dave first joined the show, his 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium had already surpassed 250,000 miles, challenging everything many people thought they knew about EV battery life, electric vehicle reliability, and long-term ownership costs. Now, with another 100,000 miles added to the odometer, we wanted to check back in and see what has changed—and what hasn't.

Can a modern EV really go 350,000 miles on its original battery? How much range has been lost? What maintenance and repairs have been required? What has ownership actually cost compared to a gas vehicle? And what lessons can EV owners, fleet operators, and EV skeptics learn from one of the highest-mileage electric vehicles on the road today?

Connect with Dave:

📞 Call or Text: 831-587-3696

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: www.mysantacruzdriver.com

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554360187350&mibextid=wwXIfr

In this episode, we discuss:

⚡ Reaching over 350,000 miles in a Ford Mustang Mach-E

🔋 EV battery degradation and real-world range after extensive use

🔌 Fast charging habits and charging strategies

🛠️ Maintenance, repairs, and total ownership costs

⛽ EV versus gas vehicle operating expenses

🚗 BlueCruise, regenerative braking, and daily driving experience

📊 What long-term data tells us about EV reliability and durability

Whether you're considering your first electric vehicle, already own an EV, or simply wonder how long modern EV batteries can last, this conversation provides a fascinating real-world case study. Dave's experience shows what happens when an electric vehicle is driven far beyond what most owners will ever put on their cars—and the results may surprise you.

If you enjoy discussions about EV battery longevity, Ford Mustang Mach-E ownership, EV charging, electric vehicle road trips, Ford Lightning, Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and the future of transportation, be sure to subscribe to BowefamilyEV and Turn Down for Watt.

Join us as we welcome Dave back to the podcast and dive into the realities of life with a 350,000 mile electric vehicle.

#MustangMachE

#EVBatteryLife

#ElectricVehicles

#FordEV

#EVPodcast

This week on the Turn Down For Watt Podcast, we're catching up on some of the biggest stories and experiences from around the EV world. From robotic lawn mowers to EV road trips and charging infrastructure, we're tackling the topics that EV owners are actually talking about.🌱 MOVA Robot Mower Review Chris shares his real-world experience with the MOVA robotic mower and why AI-powered lawn care may be closer to mainstream adoption than many people think.🔌 Tesla Extension Cable Success & Failure After successfully using the Hansshow Tesla Supercharger Extension Cable during a recent road trip to Las Vegas and ACT Expo, new testing from Tom Moloughney of State of Charge revealed a failure during his evaluation. We'll discuss what happened, what it means for EV owners, and whether extension cables have a future.🛣️ Electric Due Hits Route 66 The Electric Due team has officially kicked off their latest EV adventure across historic Route 66. We'll discuss the trip, the charging network, and why road trips remain one of the best tests of EV infrastructure.⚡ The EV Problem Nobody Wants To Talk About While DC fast charging continues to expand, why aren't we seeing Level 2 charging deployed everywhere? Chris recently traveled through Norway and the Netherlands and noticed something very different about their charging strategy compared to the United States. We discuss EV adoption, charging accessibility, destination charging, and what may be holding EV growth back.👇🔗 Check out our links for more EV content:➡️ @TurnDownforWatt Zoox Experience! - https://youtu.be/fHpv7vDhhYg?si=w-L1LpHBXtPOjHPT➡️ @bowefamilyEV MOVA Robot Mower - https://youtu.be/HQsjipcoUlM?si=YJSQ1fmPYtOkTi9j➡️Chris' Hansshow Test - https://youtu.be/37qweOa5EIo?si=UBaMFWcbvEVXgPxI➡️ @StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Hansshow Test - https://youtu.be/5iivMZuhzlQ?si=0G0gH0ln-DZxrEid➡️ @theelectricduo Route 66 - https://youtu.be/Rs2X8pjfsC0?si=lHzBB0tTxmbUD7NW💬 Topics Include: ✅ MOVA AI Robot Mower ✅ Hansshow Tesla Supercharger Extension Cable✅ State of Charge Testing Results ✅ ACT Expo 2026 ✅ Electric Due Route 66 EV Road Trip ✅ Tesla Supercharger Network✅ Ford F-150 Lightning Ownership ✅ EV Charging Infrastructure ✅ Level 2 Charging vs DC Fast Charging ✅ Norway EV Adoption ✅ Netherlands EV Infrastructure ✅ Future of Electric Vehicles🎙️ Turn Down For Watt is a weekly EV podcast featuring real-world EV ownership, road trips, charging, technology, industry news, and honest discussions from enthusiasts who actually live with electric vehicles every day.#ElectricVehicles #EVPodcast #FordLightning #Tesla #EVCharging #Route66 #StateOfCharge #MOVA #RobotMower #ACTExpo #ElectricDue #EVRoadTrip #Level2Charging #TeslaSupercharger #TurnDownForWatt #BowefamilyEV #EVNews #EVInfrastructure #ElectricTruck #ChargingNetwork

The EV industry is evolving fast and so are the biggest automotive and technology festivals in America. On this episode of the Turn Down For Watt Podcast, we sit down with BJ Birtwell, founder of Electrify Expo and the newly expanded Demo Days Festival, to discuss why one of the nation’s largest EV-focused touring events is transforming into a massive future mobility festival featuring EVs, hybrids, robotics, Tesla Optimus, air mobility, eVTOL aircraft, autonomous technology, and hands-on demos from major OEMs and brands like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Ford, Toyota, and more.🚨 SAVE 25% RIGHT NOW on tickets and learn more about  @DemoDaysFest  here:https://demodaysfestival.com/What started as an EV-only showcase with electric cars, e-bikes, scooters, and demo drives has now evolved into a broader transportation and technology experience while still keeping Electrify Expo as a major part of the show. BJ explains the reasons behind the shift, including changes in the EV market, consumer demand, manufacturer feedback, sponsorship trends, and the current political and economic environment surrounding electric vehicles and future mobility.In this episode we discuss:⚡ Why Electrify Expo became Demo Days Festival⚡ Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Ford, Toyota & OEM participation⚡ Tesla Optimus and the future of robotics at live events⚡ eVTOL aircraft, air mobility & next-generation transportation⚡ EV adoption trends and industry challenges⚡ How the political climate may be impacting the EV market⚡ Why test drives and hands-on experiences matter more than ever⚡ The future of automotive festivals and experiential marketing⚡ The 7-city nationwide tour kicking off in Los Angeles🌎 2026 Demo Days Festival Cities:• Los Angeles• Portland• San Francisco• Philadelphia• Atlanta• Dallas• San DiegoIf you’re into EVs, Tesla, Cybertruck, Rivian R2, Lucid Air, Ford Lightning, robotics, autonomous vehicles, Optimus, eVTOL aircraft, AI, future transportation, clean energy, car tech, or the future of mobility, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more!#EV #ElectricVehicles #ElectrifyExpo #DemoDays #DemoDaysFestival #Tesla #TeslaOptimus #Optimus #Robotics #Rivian #Lucid #Ford #Toyota #Cybertruck #FordLightning #R2 #LucidAir #VTOL #eVTOL #AirMobility #FutureOfTransportation #AutonomousVehicles #AI #Tech #EVPodcast #TurnDownForWatt #ElectricCars #EVIndustry #CleanEnergy #Mobility #AutomotiveNews #TeslaNews #RivianR2 #FutureTech #CarShow #OEM #evnews ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro to Electrify Expo02:40 What is Demo Days?08:30 Why Change from EV Only?16:06 What Automakers will we see?26:18 What's the data say?33:00 Pushback from Venues? 42:15 Why Denver Canceled? 50:50 Wrap up with BJ

🎙️In this episode of Turn Down For Watt, we sit down with Jonathan Shinn from PowerStation to discuss a bold new vision for the future of EV charging: a 100% off-grid fast charging network powered by over 1,000 solar panels and massive battery storage systems instead of the traditional utility grid. Even more impressive, charging at the Baker, CA PowerStation location is currently FREE through the end of May ⚡➡️ Power Station : https://powerstation.network/🔗 Be sure to also watch my full visit and charging experience at the Baker PowerStation location on  @bowefamilyEV  here: https://youtu.be/YXYFOQGZHZgPowerStation is building high-speed 360kW liquid-cooled DC fast charging stations in remote locations where grid infrastructure is expensive, limited, or unavailable. Their goal is simple but ambitious — create clean, resilient, zero-emission EV charging that works independently from the power grid while remaining open and accessible to all EV drivers with simple tap-and-charge convenience.We dive deep into how the system works, including the solar farm, large-scale battery containers, load balancing, charging performance, and the advantages of off-grid deployment in places like Baker, Barstow, Desert Center, and Ocotillo, California. These future locations could dramatically improve EV travel corridors between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego, and beyond.We also discuss rising utility costs, grid limitations, energy resilience, disaster preparedness, renewable infrastructure, and why off-grid charging may become an important part of America’s future transportation network.If you follow channels like Out of Spec Reviews, State of Charge, Trucked Up EVs, or enjoy conversations about EV infrastructure, renewable energy, battery storage, and the future of transportation, this is an episode you do not want to miss.⚡ Topics Covered:• Off-grid EV charging• DC-to-DC charging architecture• Solar-powered DC fast charging• 360kW liquid-cooled chargers• Large-scale battery storage• California EV infrastructure• Energy independence• Renewable energy deployment• Future EV road trip corridors• PowerStation expansion plans#TurnDownForWatt #EVCharging #FordLightning #ElectricVehicles #SolarEnergy #OffGrid #CleanEnergy #BatteryStorage #EVInfrastructure #RenewableEnergy #PowerStation #DCFastCharging #EnergyIndependence #Tesla #Rivian

🎙️Is Ford really stepping back from EVs… or did Model e quietly take over everything?In this episode of the Turn Down For Watt Podcast, we break down Ford’s massive internal shift—from the rise (and “fall”) of Model e to the future of the next-generation F-150, Lightning, and beyond. What looks like a retreat from EVs might actually be something much bigger: the entire F-Series going software-defined. This isn’t just about EV vs gas anymore—it’s about a single platform powering everything. If you’re following the future of Ford, EV trucks, or the shift to software-defined vehicles, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.🔌Why Model e didn’t fail—it graduatedHow EV architecture is being applied to gas, hybrid, and future EREV trucksWhat “software-defined vehicles” actually mean for ownersWhether the next-gen Lightning could become an EREVAnd why this could reshape the future of trucks entirely🔗 Articles DiscussedMotorTrend – https://www.motortrend.com/news/ford-restructuring-ev-software-defined-vehicles-2026CNBC – https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/ford-ev-leader-doug-field.html?Autoblog – https://www.autoblog.com/news/ford-is-reinventing-the-f-150-and-its-nothing-like-beforeCar and Driver – https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71041801/next-generation-ford-f-150-super-duty-timeline/Edmonds - https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/report-next-generation-ford-f-150-delayed-until-2028.html👇🔗 Links:➡️ Ford Earnings Call Jim Farley : https://youtu.be/PVfCQDafxiQ?si=2lxg2-wGyT4uvhTT&t=471➡️ BowefamilyEV: https://www.youtube.com/@UCE5FtDsxW59AEJwbh8PiWQA ⚡ Topics CoveredFord Model eNext-gen Ford F-150Ford Lightning futureEREV trucks explainedSoftware-defined vehicles (SDV)Zonal architectureFord EV strategyDoug Field departureEV vs Hybrid vs EREV🎙️ About the ShowTurn Down For Watt is your go-to EV podcast covering real-world ownership, breaking news, and the future of electric vehicles—hosted by EV enthusiasts bringing honest takes and real experience.🔎 Hashtags#Ford #F150 #fordlightning #evtrucks #electricvehicles #erev #electricvehicles #evnews #futureoftrucks #EV #Tesla #outofspec #stateofcharge #evlife 🧭 CHAPTER LIST 00:00 ACT Expo, Power Up, America BowefamilyEV14:00 Current State of EV Trucks19:00 What Jim Farley Told us 2 Years ago35:56 Next Gen F150 Delays & Loss of Doug Field 42:22 Model E isn't Dead its Graduated 0:55:18 Truth about the Ford Advantage 1:09:00 Wrap Up

In this episode of the Turn Down For Watt Podcast, we break down the Q1 EV sales data and the reality of today’s EV market. The numbers don’t lie — demand is soft, many models are down big year over year, and the gap between Tesla and everyone else is still massive.That leads to the big question: Can the Rivian R2 save 2026?We’re joined by special guests including Jose from Rivian Tracker, Zak from the Bay Area Rivian Club, and Travis Ketchum to dig into:👇🔗 Check out our channels for more EV content:➡️ Travis Ketchum: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmX4mCqdWVC_oh7TRL7PjCg ➡️ Zak at Wyld Wattage : https://www.youtube.com/@UCa70U73N_p-9KoR12tr1vQg ➡️ Jose at Rivian Tracker : https://www.youtube.com/@UCbmJEvtaLnG0D4hq-s03hIw ➡️ Jose at Rivian Tracker : riviantrackr.com➡️ Tom at Out of Spec Bits : https://www.youtube.com/@UCvzAhsatPsUkRsxJfY6zB3A➡️ Tom's personal channel : https://www.youtube.com/@UCweJD6u6gWRA5p3-Y_DzthA ➡️ BowefamilyEV: https://www.youtube.com/@UCE5FtDsxW59AEJwbh8PiWQA 🔌 Topics Covered:Why EV sales are struggling right nowWhich brands are falling off the hardestWhether price, charging, or consumer demand is the real issueIf Rivian R2 is the breakout EV the market desperately needsAnd what the EV landscape could look like in 2026Is R2 the hero the EV market needs… or is the problem bigger than one vehicle can fix?Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear where you stand.#️⃣ HASHTAGS#rivian#RivianR2#electricvehicles #EV #FordLightning #Tesla #EVNews #Podcast#outofspec #stateofcharge #evlife #carreviews #automotive 🔑 KeywordsRivian, R2, Rivian R2, Out of Spec Studios, EV podcast, electric vehicles, Tesla, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, car reviews, EV industry trends

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Schiefer to talk about his journey from Out of Spec Studios to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), how he got his start, and what it’s like creating automotive content at both an independent channel and a major brand.We dive into Jordan’s story, including how he met Kyle Conner in Colorado and became part of Out of Spec during the early days when the channel still covered gas vehicles. His Mazda Miata wasn’t just a passion project—it was also part of his very first video with Out of Spec.👇🔗 Check out our channels for more EV content:➡️ Jordan's Fly Wheel Films: https://www.youtube.com/@FlywheelFilms➡️ Jordan’s Miata Out of Spec Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWjdslAqV7c➡️ Jordan's First KBB Polestar Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR_MYaVV00U&t=2s➡️ BowefamilyEV: https://www.youtube.com/@bowefamilyEVWe also talk about:His personal channel Fly Wheel Films and creative storytellingHis love for epic road trips, races, and automotive adventuresHow drone shots, music, and editing style added a unique flavor to Out of Spec’s data-driven videosTransitioning to Kelley Blue Book and reaching a different audienceHis first KBB video featuring PolestarThe shift to tighter, 10–15 minute content formatsFavorite videos, collaborations, and creators he’s worked withWhat he’s learned along the way in the EV and automotive spaceAnd a personal update—his upcoming marriage 💍Whether you’re into electric vehicles (EVs), automotive media, road trips, or behind-the-scenes creator journeys, this is a great conversation you won’t want to miss.🔌 Topics Covered:Electric Vehicles (EVs), Out of Spec Studios, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Mazda Miata, Tesla, Polestar, EV road trips, automotive content creation, YouTube creators, car reviews, EV industry, Fly Wheel Films, Kyle Conner, EV mediaWelcome back to 'Turn Down For What' for your essential electric vehicles news and updates! We dive into the latest developments in the electric car world, offering insights and keeping you informed. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more content on electric cars and automotive trends, including discussions on ev charging station infrastructure.#️⃣ HASHTAGS#electricvehicles #evroadtrip #outofspec #stateofcharge #evpodcast #carpodcast #mazdamiata #polestar #evlife #carreviews #automotive #youtubecreators 🔑 KeywordsJordan Schiefer interview, Out of Spec Studios, Kelley Blue Book KBB, EV podcast, electric vehicles, Mazda Miata, Tesla Model 3, Polestar, Fly Wheel Films, Kyle Conner, EV content creator journey, automotive podcast, car reviews, EV industry trends🧭 CHAPTER LIST 00:00 Intro To Jordan03:11 The Mazda Miata06:04 Out of Spec Origin Story09:44 Fly Wheel Films15:02 Jordan's 1st OOS Video and Style29:00 Jordan's 1st KBB Video43:12 Wrap up!

Can you drive Route 66 in an EV? 🚗⚡ In this episode of Turn Down For Watt, we sit down with Patrick and Liv from The Electric Duo to break down their 2,400-mile Route 66 EV road trip challenge and whether the classic American road trip is ready to go electric.As Route 66 celebrates its 100-year anniversary, The Electric Duo is taking on “Route 66 Recharged” a full cross-country EV journey from Chicago to Santa Monica. We dive into charging strategy, route planning, real-world costs, and what it means to take the iconic American road trip into the electric era.If you’ve ever wondered:Can you road trip Route 66 in an EV?Is charging infrastructure ready for a true American road trip?What does a 2,400-mile EV road trip actually cost?This episode breaks it all down.We also cover:The current state of EV charging networksFord’s upcoming affordable EVsReal-world EV ownership insightsWhat surprised them most from recent EV drivesWhether you’re an EV owner, considering switching, or just love road trip content, this episode explores how the classic American road trip is evolving in the EV era.🔌 Featuring Patrick & Liv from The Electric Duo (formerly Mach-E Vlog)👇🔗 Check out our channels for more EV content:➡️ Electric Duo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelectricduo➡️ Electric Duo Website: https://theelectricduo.com/➡️ Route 66 Website: https://theelectricduo.com/route66recharged/➡️ Route 66 Merch: https://theelectricduo.com/route66recharged/route-66-recharged-store/➡️ Ford EV Clubs: https://fordevclubs.org/➡️ BowefamilyEV: https://www.youtube.com/@bowefamilyEV#️⃣ HASHTAGS#ElectricVehicles #Route66 #EVRoadTrip #AmericanRoadTrip #ElectricVehicles #MachE #FordEV #Charging#ElectricDuo #OutOfSpec #StateOfCharge 🔑 Keywordsroute 66 ev, ev road trip, electric vehicle road trip, route 66 road trip, ev charging, electric cars, ev travel, can you road trip in an ev, ev charging infrastructure usa, cross country ev trip, ev charging network, real world ev road trip, ev trip cost, american road trip, classic american road trip, route 66 travel, chicago to santa monica road trip, electric duo, mach e vlog, mustang mach e, ford ev, out of spec reviews, state of charge, ev podcast🧭 CHAPTER LIST 00:00 Intro To The Electric Duo03:24 Route 66 Road Trip Plan24:50 Ford EV Clubs31:18 Mach E Vlog Origin Story 43:12 Wrap Up

In this episode of Turn Down for Watt, we sit down with Tom Moloughney, the voice behind the  @StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney  channel, to break down the current state of the EV industry and where it is headed next.Tom brings a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective from years of real-world charging reviews and deep industry insight. We dive into the realities of EV charging infrastructure, the rollout of NACS, and what drivers can expect as adoption continues to accelerate.We also unpack how major players like Ford, Rivian, and Lucid Motors are navigating the transition, what they are getting right, and where challenges still exist.From charging reliability and network expansion to Tesla’s influence and the future of fast charging, this conversation covers the key trends shaping the EV landscape today.If you are interested in EV infrastructure, road trips, charging strategy, or the future of transportation, this is a must-watch discussion.Make sure to follow Tom’s channel,  @StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney  for some of the most trusted and detailed EV charging content in the industry.Subscribe to  @TurnDownforWatt  for more conversations with leaders building the future of energy and mobility.#EV #ElectricVehicles #EVCharging #EVInfrastructure #StateOfCharge #TomMoloughney #FordEV #Rivian #LucidMotors #TeslaSupercharger #NACS #EVRoadTrip #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #FastCharging #EVNetwork #TurnDownForWatt #PowerUpAmerica #ChargingNetwork #EVFuture #SustainableTransportation #EVIndustry #Level3Charging #DCFastCharging #evpodcast