EVready Podcast

Nicolas Zart Founder of Electric Air Mobility

In this episode of the EV Ready podcast, Chris Nihan interviews Nicolas Zart, founder of Electric Air Mobility. They discuss the convergence of electric vehicles and air mobility, addressing misconceptions, challenges in certification and infrastructure, the future of electric air mobility, and the geopolitical landscape affecting the industry. Nicolas emphasizes the importance of hydrogen as an energy source and highlights key players in the industry, while also discussing the need for collaboration and the long-term vision for electric air mobility.

LAZ Parking's Approach to EV Charging With Nathan Donnell

In this episode of the EV Ready podcast, Chris Nihan speaks with Nathan Donnell, Senior Director of EV Partnerships at LAZ Parking, about the challenges and opportunities in the EV parking industry. Nathan shares his unique journey into the parking sector, the importance of integrating EV charging into parking operations, and the need for ongoing education for both teams and property owners. They discuss innovative uses for parking spaces and the future of EV charging solutions, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the evolving landscape of urban mobility.

https://www.lazparking.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nihan-06541571

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-donnell-capp-1a558a49

 

The Power of Demand Response in Today's Grid With Marissa Galizia From Voltus

In this episode of the EV Ready Podcast, Chris Nihan interviews Marissa Galizia, the Senior Director of Partnerships at Voltus. They discuss the complexities of the power grid, emphasizing the significance of demand response and the evolving landscape of energy management.

Their discussion covers the roles of independent system operators (ISO) and utilities, the challenges associated with balancing supply and demand, and the innovative programs designed to boost grid resilience and sustainability.

They highlight that the grid necessitates careful balance, with independent system operators managing supply and demand. Galizia explains how demand response can prevent blackouts by balancing energy use, especially as the grid faces increased demand from AI and electrification.

Virtual power plants (VPP) are emerging to aggregate energy users in support of the grid, allowing participants to earn revenue by reducing energy consumption. The conversation also reveals how utilities are evolving to incorporate new technologies and customers, particularly in deregulated markets that are more receptive to demand response programs.

They discuss innovative programs like Carbon Response that focus on reducing carbon emissions. Lastly, the partnership between Voltus and EV Ready is emphasized, illustrating how such collaborations drive sustainability and economic benefits for energy users, particularly through enhancements in EV charging stations.

ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer - A Company Update

The State of ChargePoint with CEO Rick Wilmer and Chris Nihan

In this episode of the EVready Podcast, host Chris Nihan, President of EVready Energy, sits down with Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint, to discuss the company's latest developments and strategic directions. The conversation is timely, given ChargePoint's recent earnings call and subsequent layoffs. Here’s a sneak peek into the topics they covered:

ChargePoint's Current State and Goals:

• An insightful discussion about the factors leading up to the recent layoffs and what they mean for the company's future.
• ChargePoint's strategic plans and commitment towards achieving profitability, and how these measures align with their long-term vision.
  Transition in Hardware Solutions:
• Rick Wilmer explains ChargePoint's shift from exclusively selling ChargePoint-manufactured hardware to incorporating other hardware solutions.
• The benefits and challenges of this transition and how it positions ChargePoint in the broader EV market.
  
  

Industry Challenges and AI Solutions:

• An exploration of the biggest challenges facing the EV industry today.
• How ChargePoint is leveraging artificial intelligence to tackle these challenges, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Technological Advancements:

• Rick shares his excitement about recent technological advancements within ChargePoint.
• A closer look at innovations that could reshape the landscape of EV charging.

Impact of the Election:

• A segment on how current political climates and election outcomes could impact ChargePoint and the EV industry at large.
• Perspectives on policy changes and potential implications for the growth and adoption of electric vehicles.

Join us for an in-depth look at ChargePoint's strategies, challenges, and opportunities as the company navigates the complex landscape of the electric vehicle industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of EV infrastructure and technology.

Meet Jon Frederick from the Car Dealership Guy

In this episode of the EVready Podcast, Al Levy, Chris Nihan, and Jon Frederick dive into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) and the automotive industry at large. Jon comes from years of auto dealership experience and now is the behind-the-scenes person at the Car Dealership Guy Podcast.

Together, they share their experiences with electric vehicles, tackle the challenges associated with EV adoption, and examine the future profitability of this burgeoning sector. Technology's role within EVs, the importance of consumer education, and the need for affordable EV options are also key topics of discussion.

The conversation rounds out with a look at the timeless appeal of classic cars. Chris and Al recount their early adoption of EVs and their ongoing fascination with their technological advancements. Meanwhile, Jon discusses the specific challenges and opportunities that car dealerships face with the rising global EV sales and the potential impacts of Chinese EV manufacturers on the U.S. market.

Additionally, they explore changing consumer preferences, the increasing importance of personalization in the auto industry, and how dealerships might leverage EV charging services to enhance customer experience. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need for dealerships to adapt to the evolving automotive landscape in order to remain relevant and valuable to customers.

The Role of Distributors in the EV Charging Value Chain

In this episode of the EVready Podcast, Chris Nihan interviews Amy Dobrikova, VP of Fleet Solutions at Rexel Energy Solutions, and Ben Bercham, National Director of EV Charging. They discuss the role of distributors in the EV charging value chain and the value that Rexel Energy Solutions brings to the industry. They also talk about the importance of education and the factors to consider when selecting a charging solution, such as reliability, warranties, innovation, and business integrity. Amy and Ben emphasize the need for education and consultation when working with customers to help them navigate the complexities of electrification.

Key Takeaways:

• Distributors play a crucial role in the EV charging value chain, providing value-added services and expertise to customers.
• Rexel Energy Solutions has made a significant investment in the EV charging space and offers a wide range of products and services.
• Education and consultation are key in helping fleet customers navigate the complexities of electrification.
• When selecting a charging solution, factors to consider include reliability, warranties, innovation, and business integrity.
• Fleet customers should prioritize uptime and reliability, as well as work with utility companies and consider financing options.

Deana Haynes, former Director of Commercial Real Estate at Chargepoint

Deana Haynes provides a breakdown of the various types of commercial real estate that would benefit from EV charging stations and how piloting is the best strategy for success. She shares a piece that she was part of developing for CBRE, highlighting how the adoption of electric vehicles leads to increased demand for workplace charging stations. 

Chris and Deana cover focusing on the end user's needs, the standardization of the Tesla plug, and what strategy CREs need to implement when diving into investing in EV charging infrastructure.

 

The Strategic Vision Behind Mercedes-Benz's Investment in an EV Charging Network with Heiko Schmidt

Meet Heiko Schmidt, VP of Network Strategy and Monetization at Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America. Heiko discusses why Mercedes Benz decided it was necessary to invest in a fast-charging network, the relationship with Ionna (the coalition of auto manufacturers building a high-powered network), and the key qualities that a Mercedes network will bring to consumers in North America.