The Urban EV Podcast cover art

The Urban EV Podcast

The Urban EV Podcast

By: The Frequency Network: The Wave
Listen for free

Electric vehicle ownership in a city can be daunting when you don't have access to a plug. We explore urban charging infrastructure along with the day-to-day experience and economics of public charging your vehicle in a big city.Rob Hoffman
Episodes
  • The 14 Pivots that Turned a Data-Driven EV Marketplace into a $100M Business

    The 14 Pivots that Turned a Data-Driven EV Marketplace into a $100M Business
    Jul 8 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Forget Autonomous Taxis. The Future Is Subscription

    Forget Autonomous Taxis. The Future Is Subscription
    Jun 13 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Gas Prices High. EV Sales Higher. Will the Trend Hold?

    Gas Prices High. EV Sales Higher. Will the Trend Hold?
    Apr 20 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet