Steve Birkett

Grid Connections

In this episode we sit down with Steve Birkett, EV Educator and Founder of Plug and Play EV. We discuss everything from NEVI Funding to EV Road tripping and how far the technology has come in the past decade.

Summary

Steve Burkett, founder of Plug and Play EV, discusses his journey as an EV driver and content creator. He shares his experiences driving a Bolt EV in the Northeast, including the challenges of winter driving and charging infrastructure. Steve emphasizes the importance of educating potential EV buyers and offers various platforms for sharing information. He also discusses the changing perceptions of EVs and the need to address concerns about range and charging. The conversation then shifts to the topic of NEV funding and the progress of charging infrastructure development across different states. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of EV infrastructure and marketing, trends and highlights from the auto show, the impact of software on brand loyalty, and the challenges and opportunities for traditional automakers in the EV market.

Takeaways

• Driving an EV in the Northeast during winter can present challenges due to slower charging and reduced range.
• Educating potential EV buyers is crucial to address misconceptions and concerns about range and charging.
• NEV funding is driving the development of charging infrastructure across different states, with a focus on filling gaps along travel corridors.
• The implementation of charging infrastructure involves coordination with utilities and can be delayed by permitting and utility work.
• The perception of EVs is slowly changing, but there is still a need to address concerns and provide accurate information to potential buyers. EV infrastructure and marketing are crucial for EV adoption, and initiatives like the Chargeway Beacon and interactive road trip planners help build confidence in EV ownership.
• The auto show showcased a growing number of EVs, with notable reveals from Polestar and Kia. EV startups like Rivian are finding success by creating their own events and focusing on brand experience.
• Software plays a significant role in brand loyalty, as it allows for personalized and updated experiences. Traditional automakers need to prioritize software development to compete in the EV market.
• Traditional automakers have made missteps in the EV market, but there is still a lot of opportunity for growth and market share. Tesla remains the leader in EV adoption and market perception.
• The EV industry is still in its early stages, and there is much more to learn and develop in terms of technology, marketing, and customer experiences.

Keywords

EV, electric vehicles, Bolt EV, Northeast, winter driving, charging infrastructure, EV education, range anxiety, NEV funding, charging network, EV infrastructure, marketing, auto show, trends, brand loyalty, software, traditional automakers, challenges, opportunities