The Urban EV Podcast

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

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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

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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

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

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