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The Urban EV Podcast

The Urban EV Podcast

By: The Frequency Network: The Wave
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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
  • 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
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    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
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    49 mins
  • Why Apartment Dwellers Are Being Left Behind in the EV Transition

    Why Apartment Dwellers Are Being Left Behind in the EV Transition
    Feb 10 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
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