In this episode, Rob shares his latest EV roadtrip experience and makes mistakes so you won't have to. Toyota announces a new $1B investment in to build its first third-row EV SUV in the US. Europe can't break the diesel habit and maybe that's OK. Updates on the major EV charging infrastructure expansions in the works across the US.
There is an assumption among the automakers that claimed range at 100% state of charge is the primary marketing parameter that moves metal off the lots. Yet in reality many drivers charge to 80% based on charger type and battery chemistry. The disappointment in not achieving claimed range, along with confusion over battery charging limits is the start of a negative ownership experience. Do drivers need a single source of truth ? Maybe not. What if the EV driving experience was as simple as driving an ICE vehicle, with a full charge at 10 and taking it to 11 for that "extra push over the cliff". Would the positive word of mouth do a better job in changing the opinions of the EV curious and uninitiated?
How does the the flagship Kia EV9 GT Line fare against the Model S & X Plaid? The missions are similar but the delivery and experience are not. Our guest today is Amlan Das, an early EV adopter who has been trading up his Teslas for years. An owner of both a Model S and X Plaid, he has a unique perspective on the value proposition of a high performance, family hauling EV. A perfect foil to host, Rob Hoffman's more recently designed EV9.
Rob's winter road trip becomes more of an adventure than bargained for. Plus, coming to a lamppost near you...three exciting new start-ups attempt to bring public charging to the urban masses. Will any of these concepts work?
Is an EV the urban transportation solution we've all been waiting for? Scott Murphy, co-founder of micro-mobility start-ups Fin and Clover makes a case for the "unlimited convenience" of electric bike subscriptions and battery swapping as a service. Electric bikes for both parcel delivery and personal transport may not be fully mainstream yet, but your urban mobility future may be a lot closer than you think.
From leaning into route planning tech to the actual charging experiences on the road, there was a lot to be learned on this trip. Add Kia's Highway Driving Assist into the mix and this newbie's transition to EVs is about to get interesting.
Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the United States. Backed by big oil and on record as a climate change denier, this should send chills down the spines of green energy supporters. But having Elon Musk at his side has created a confounding situation. Will EVs prosper under Trump in his second term?
EV ownership in the city can be daunting when you don't have a garage and an outlet. Is it worth taking the plunge? Our Brooklyn based host with a fresh EV on his hands, dives in and shares his experiences.