It's time for a news roundup on Directly Current, and Max is joined by Republican strategist and EVs for All America boss Mike Murphy to discuss the positive market developments in German and American EV manufacturing, as well as some bad news with an ICE raid at Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions' battery plant in Georgia which went about as well as an episode of Keystone Cops. Max and Mike go over BMW's Awesome Neue Klasse Platform debuted at the IAA in Germany with 400 miles of range and very rapid charging (15 minute 10–80%) Mike's sitdown with Gavin Newsom on apartment and multifamily charging for over 7 million citizens in California Ford's American plan to reinvent the Assembly of Cars and Build a $30,000 EV Pickup Truck The Hyundai ICE immigration raid, the South Korean government's response, and the implications for US manufacturing Mike's summer EV road trips in his BMW iX and the good news of fast charging deployment ▶️ Watch the episode: YouTube Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform Resources and Links: Electric for All at the MAGNET Conference IRS Guidance on EV tax credits phaseout (Act before September 30th!) ⚡ Stay Plugged In Subscribe to Directly Current Support EVs for All America Visit the EV Politics merch store
Veloz is a nonprofit leading the charge with a national messaging campaign to sell the public on EVs—not for environmental advocacy but for practical cost of ownership and tangible benefits. Josh Boone, their executive director, joins Max for a chat on their new Electric for All campaign we've partnered with them on—featuring the iconic voice of Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation). Max and Josh go over The progress EVs have made in adoption in just the last few years The major investments automakers have made which have yet to fully realize The improving technology making range and charging concerns of the past The environmental concerns people have about EVs and their wrong assumptions ▶️ Watch the episode: YouTube Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform Resources and Links: Electric for All IRS Guidance on EV tax credits phaseout ⚡ Stay Plugged In Subscribe to Directly Current Support EVs for All America Visit the EV Politics merch store
Our Next Energy (ONE) is developing LFP battery cells in Michigan. If you're an EV nerd, you know how big of a deal that is. These kinds of chemistries are what are going to enable durable, long lasting, and most importantly, affordable EVs and China already specializes in them and currently basically chokes the world's supply, not just in terms of minerals, but also IP know-how and manufacturing for this super valuable battery chemistry. But ONE came to the market at a time a few years ago with a promise to make a hybrid battery, called Gemini, utilizing some LFP and an anode-free manganese-rich chemistry to give you the best of all worlds—performance and long range. They demonstrated this in a BMW iX chassis showing that vehicle to double its factory range at the time. The Gemini battery never came to market in production cars. However, ONE has been toiling away quietly—working on continuing LFP chemistries for not only the automotive industry, but also battery energy storage systems, which are crucially important in the age of AI and data center where we can't make our grid resilient quickly enough. Max speaks with the Chief Strategist at One, Deeana Ijaz. , She's the daughter of the founder and CEO Mijeeb Ijaz. Deanna come from a neuroscience and public health policy background but is leading the charge at ONE in turbulent times for the automotive industry to survive and thrive. Watch the full episode on YouTube Or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. More about Our Next Energy Stay plugged in: Support our work at American EV Jobs Alliance Shop EV Politics merch
You've probably heard that the electric grid is under severe strain and that electric cars are of no help. And this is in some ways a little bit overblown, but it's also true, particularly in the era of large data centers and AI. But it doesn't have to be that way. Electric vehicles can be part of the solution. We've spoken on this show briefly before about concepts like vehicle to grid and vehicles like the Ford F-150 lightning being used as a home backup power source but to do grid solutions at scale. That's going to take a lot of smart software and coordination, enter WeaveGrid. WeaveGrid CEO Apoorv Bhargava speaks with Max Patten on how they work with utilities, OEMs, and customers to enable a new kind of smarter power grid. The upshot for ratepayers, aka customers? You pay less and maybe even realize incentives for letting your EV flexibly charge (and one day, discharge) while you sleep. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-uyEtDhQVT8 Or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more: WeaveGrid Incentive Finder WeaveGrid's Active Programs for Drivers/Consumers Stay plugged in: Subscribe to Directly Current Support our work at American EV Jobs Alliance Shop EV Politics merch
One of the biggest sources of electrification isn't your home or your neighbors', but the commercial fleets and trucks that power American business. Wex is a company doing fuel card services, but their EV charging solutions have taken off and they're continuing to invest in it despite federal headwinds. In this episode of Directly Current, host Max Patten speaks to Libby Bittman, the Business Development Director for EVs and Mobility at Wex. Previously, she's worked at companies like ChargePoint, ChargeLab, and Tesla. Libby also has an EV car, truck, and motorcycle in her household, so she's no stranger to the electric liffetyle. Max and Libby discuss how EV adoption continues to prove itself on cost of ownership merits in the commercial sector even without the White House's support. Regardless of politics, businesses love margins! Some of the ground Max and Libby cover; Why Fuel Cards Need an EV Analogue Charging Hubs dedicated to business fleets Electric motorcycles are very fun, but unlike cars and light duty, aren't yet cost-competitive! Libby is a great speaker, advocate for EVs, and a pragmatic and seasoned participant in the business world. Enjoy! Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VeV_AXRb88 Or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more: Wex for EVs Sawatch Labs Fleet Electrification/Emissions Software Stay plugged in: Subscribe to Directly Current Support our work at American EV Jobs Alliance Shop EV Politics merch
Max speaks to Quincy Lee, founder and CEO of Electric Era, a charging business that's integrating high-quality hardware with smart software and batteries to deploy rapidly at retailers like Costco for low cost. It's a story of entrepreneurship, quality-obsession, and paving the infrastructure for the future. Electric Era's Site Quincy's Twitter Quincy's LinkedIn American EV Jobs Alliance Messaging Campaign Subscribe to Directly Current
Electric towing is hard, particularly when you're hauling a big family-sized camper that can halve a Rivian's range. Lightship is a startup that's laser-focused on solving that pickle by engineering a smart trailer that not only makes itself more aerodynamic in motion, but also pulls its own weight with an e-axle and independent battery system. It's a clever piece of tech but it also costs a pretty penny. Max speaks with Toby Kraus, the CEO of Lightship, on what it's like building EV hardware in Colorado and how he and the team are dealing with challenges like unpredictable tariff policy. He also hints at some future developments that might drive down the price tag much as EVs themselves have gotten cheaper and more accessible. Lightship's Website for the AE.1 Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
Long before the Tesla Roadster or GM EV.1 were a twinkle in engineers' eyes, there were people hard at work making whacky electric cars in their garages. Declan Kavanaugh, a college student and budding engineer interning at startup Telo Trucks, is one such enthusiast, taking pride in buying cheap EV curiosity projects from the 1970s and restoring them with modern-day battery technology and upgrades. He documents his efforts in entertaining fashion on YouTube. This episode is a fun one for the nerds among you, and if you're still unsure what a kilowatt is worry not, Max and Declan break down some of the jargon as they dive down the messy history of electric cars into our present day. In the present, they discuss the buzz around Telo as well as Slate Auto's cheap mini electric pickup, examining how new niches are starting to become possible with better commoditized technology that can (hopefully) be built for affordable prices in America. Mentioned Links: Declan's YouTube Channel TELO TRUCK's Website Follow The Podcast: Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance Reach Out to Max with Feedback: max.patten@colorado.edu
Harbinger Motors is making medium-duty electric trucks in America, which believe it or not, almost no one else is. While Rivian, GM, Ford, and Daimler have rolled out light duty vans for deliveries, John Harris wants to make chassis for vehicles with higher gross vehicle weight ratings for delivery customers with those needs. Of course, we talk tariffs—an ongoing and changing development for the auto industry—and how his company is dealing with them through vertical integration. Mentioned Links: Harbinger Motors' Website Follow The Podcast: Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance Contact Us: max.patten@colorado.edu
Andrew Lambrecht owns a Tesla Model 3, freelance writes for several EV publications, and is a graduating engineering student who's interned at startups like Lucid Motors. Max speaks to him to get a sense of where Tesla lies as a company in 2025 amidst a chaotic and unpredictable CEO, global headwinds, an aging product lineup, and revolt among some of its most formerly loyal customers. While we've explored the polling data behind this at EV Politics (and will continue to do so!) it's worth hearing from an educated expert on the company and someone invested in its product on where they stand. Even if you hold your nose and decide to buy a Tesla, how competitive are they when you can buy a Hyundai IONIQ 5, Mustang Mach-E, or even lightly used older Tesla for less? Max and Andrew also go over the story by analyzing their colleague John Voelcker's excellent piece on Tesla's messy, seemingly unbreakable bond with Elon Musk. Mentioned Links: Andrew's Podcast, The Current Review John Voelcker's Article For InsideEVs on Tesla and Musk Follow The Podcast: Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance Contact Us: max.patten@colorado.edu
Max, Mike, Joe, and Sarah from the EV Politics team break down the goings-on at the EV Charging Summit and Expo live from Las Vegas. They also react in real time to the 25% imported car tariff. Special guest star Tom Moloughney! Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
EV charging is a hard business, and it's only gotten tougher with the federal axing of incentive programs like NEVI. But Rohan Puri, CEO and co-founder of Stable, thinks there's a way to make it sustainable in the long term. His company uses data analytics so that site hosts can have happy accounts and keep deploying electrons to a growing population of EV drivers. Check out Stable's Site and Data Insights Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
Max speaks with Mike Colias, WSJ autos reporter and author of "Inevitable: Inside The Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles" about his just-published book and the stories of American innovation and manufacturing he encountered along the way, from the booming low-interest early 2020s to the messy reality of today's EV transition amidst a hostile Trump administration. Order Mike's Book Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
Tom Moloughney—who hosts State of Charge on YouTube, maintains an EV charging news site, and cohosts the Batteries Included Podcast—is the go-to guru for EV charging. He's covered EVs since the BMW Mini E program in the late 2000s. Max speaks with him on developments in DC fast charging as well as how normal people can know how to pick a good "Level 2" charger for their home. Subscribe to State of Charge: @StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Read His Charger Reviews and News Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
Ro Khanna is the Democratic House representative of CA-17, better known as Silicon Valley. He's a popular progressive candidate, serving his fourth term, but he's also moderate and pro-business. He wrote a book on American entrepreneurship and manufacturing, has taught at Stanford, and been close with tech leaders like Elon Musk. Max speaks with the vocal and talented Congressman to get an idea of how Democrats can seize the moment, and message the future to weary Americans in the wake of Trump's comeback and regressive chants like "Drill, Baby Drill!". Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
EVs may be on a mission to save the planet, but they could also save some of our country’s most frequent drivers by being much cheaper to run. Matthew Metz, founder of data and policy firm Coltura, joins the show to talk how gasoline superusers can save on EVs and give Max some legislative and political insights into how battles over electric car policy at the state level might play out. Calculate EV Savings on Coltura’s Site Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
Max goes over how to bargain hunt for a new, or used, or even leased EV with the looming death of the Inflation Reduction Act's clean vehicle tax credit. Eligible New Cars Eligible Old Cars Learn More About the American EV Jobs Alliance
Happy post-Thanksgiving season! Max sits down with Doron Myersdorf, CEO of Israeli battery startup StoreDot, to talk battery technology and what the US can learn from the rest of the world when it comes to industrial policy. Subscribe to Directly Current Learn More about The American EV Jobs Alliance
Max picks the brain of White House and Tesla alum Rohan Patel, who pivoted from advising Obama on climate policy to working at the world's leading EV player for eight years making pivotal business and policy decisions. With the state of the Inflation Reduction Act in question given a new administration and Republican control of Congress, what does Rohan think of the US' current place in the race to transition to green energy and EVs against China—even if not everyone's on board? Follow Rohan on X Find out more about the American EV Jobs Alliance
Max is joined by Mike Murphy as well as Executive Editor of Automotive News, Jamie Butters, to talk EVs in the wake of a big Election night for Republicans across the board. Trump and Elon's alliance looms large, as do headwinds for EVs in the US amidst the march of ever more available and cheaper vehicles. It's not all doom and gloom, we promise! Listen to The Daily Drive Podcast Learn More about The American EV Jobs Alliance