A team of reporters from the Bridge MI publication took an EV Road Trip in a rented Chevy Bolt EV. I caught up with 2 of them to do a post-trip discussion about lessons learned and their perceptions as EV newbies. Show Notes and Links - Bridge MI - https://www.bridgemi.com/ - Kelly House - https://www.bridgemi.com/about/kelly-house - Paula Gardner …

We've been busy and traveling, so while we haven't had any guests for a while, here's a quick update from Zero E-Michigan. Show Notes and Links Electrics at the Dragon overview - https://youtu.be/5CdhRfdS4fc Boondox Motorsports - https://www.boondoxmi.us/ Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures - https://www.hamiltonsnorthcoast.com/ KEVA Monthly Meeting …

While Karl is away on his motorcycle journey (see the videos on the YouTube channel 0 link below), Larry and Walter from The Network Architect Channel chatted about what's going on with Fisker and Tesla. https://www.youtube.com/@0e-michiganBy Karl Bloss

Bethany Tabor, the Manager of Commercial Electric Transportation Programs at Consumers Energy, shares the latest on the PowerMIDrive and PowerMIFleet programs. PowerMIDrive includes public charging projects in the Consumers Energy electric service territory. The PowerMIFleet program helps customers consider and execute fleet electrification. In add…

After a Spring Break pause, we're back with Red E Charge CEO Abass El-Hage. The Red E Charge network of DCFC and Level 2 chargers is growing here in Michigan and reliability is one of Red E's focus points. Learn more about how Red E got started, how to charge on their network, and what's next for this growing network of chargers. Show Notes and Lin…

The 2024 Tesla Summer Meetup in Muskegon (Musk Elon?) promises to be THE Midwest EV event of the season! Project Manager Kelli Beth Sloan from the Tesla Owner's Club of Michigan and her husband and aide de camp Burt give us all the details. Listen to the end to get a few surprises! - Tesla Owner’s Club of Michigan (TOCM) - https://teslamichigan.org…

Karl is solo today and gives a few updates related to his retirement and near future plans. Also, April with Earth Month is just around the corner. EV drivers in Michigan should consider getting involved. Show Notes and Links: - Your Money Or Your Life book - https://amzn.to/49NAIN0 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) - Drive …

EV charging can be complicated and cryptic for new drivers. Chargeway demystifies electric fuel customized for each vehicle and driver with simple color and number icons. We speak with Chargeway's founder and CEO Matt Teske about how it works and the value it can add for EV drivers, auto dealerships, and utilities. Links: Chargeway - https://www.ch…

Joe Kliewer didn't wait for an Aptera to take a solar road trip. He use a portable solar panel system and a Tesla Model Y to make the first self-contained electric Cannonball Run. Show Notes and Links - Solar Cannonball Run YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@solarcannonballrun - System overview - https://youtu.be/pFWs6LJTYpY - 4x4 Electric - https:…

Larry and I share our thoughts of the Michigan International Auto Show in Grand Rapids. Please consider making a one-time donation to our channel of a coffee. We would be grateful! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zeroemichigan Show Notes and Links - Consumers Energy EV program - https://consumersenergy.com/ev - Drive the Lightning - https://www.youtub…

In Part 2 of my discussion with Ben Brown, we dive into Ben's insights and questions regarding the Aptera including efficient use of resources, charging, color choice, crosswinds on the Mackinac Bridge, and the knob next to the license plate. Show Notes and Links - Ep 46 - Buying a House with EV Savings - Part 1 with Ben Brown - Audio: https://www.…

Ben Brown shares his EV story starting with a hybrid, a loaner EV, an EV purchase and resulting in Ben being able to afford a house from the EV savings. We dive into fuel and maintenance savings, short-range EVs, our first EV experiences, Ben's Mitsubishi i-MiEV, and much more. Ben is also interested in an Aptera, but we ran during this recording s…

Aptera - What is it, what are the basics, and why is it significant in the EV space? We dive into efficiency, why it matters, how Aptera got there, investing, price, and what do the next 12 months hold for this innovative company that is poised to bring a Solar Electric Vehicle to market. Thanks to our new subscribers and listeners from the Drive t…

Larry's back this week and we talk about some issues on his mind like used EVs and adoption as well as the Cybertruck. Karl talks about his upcoming trip to the Aptera HQ for the EV Association Annual Meeting where he is receiving the EV Advocate of the Year Award. We also chat about upcoming content like more on the 12V battery issue that received…

Larry is off today so Karl gives a quick overview of what we seem coming in the Electric Vehicle space with a focus on Michigan and our sphere of influence. Show Notes and Links Events: West Michigan EV Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WestMichiganEV Grand Rapids Auto Show: https://showspan.com/mas/ EV Association annual meeting: htt…

Karl is flying solo today, has an announcement and then talks about train travel. He is visiting Kansas City and decided to take the train rather than fly or drive. Show Notes and Links - Consumers Energy EV programs - https://consumersenergy.com/ev - Zero E-Michigan Blog: - Direct: https://zeroemichigan.blogspot.com/ - Vanity URL: https://0em.org …

This week's guest is Walter Schulze from the Network Architect Channel. He has been following the build-out of the EVGo Flying J and Pilot travel centers, so we wanted to catch up with him to see what prompted him to follow that so closely. Along the way, we discovered how he got into EVs including a Tesla, a Volvo, and a Cadillac Lyriq. Show Notes…

The CleanTechnica Article "EV Charging: We Have A Lot To Be Thankful For" gave me food for thought on this episode topic. We sometimes like to complain about things not moving faster in the EV space, but if you look back where we were just a few short years ago, we have to acknowledge that things are pretty good! Show Notes and Links: - Thankfulnes…

Taking a holiday road trip with your EV? A little bit of preparation goes a long way. We spoke with seasoned Ford Mustang Mach E road tripper Luke Wilson about pointers for how to find charging along the way, etiquette for Level 1 and Level 2 charging at hotels as well as what to do and what to avoid at your destination. Ordering a new Tesla? Use m…

The Dodge RAM and Ford Ranger pickup trucks have recently been announced coming out as plug-in hybrids (PHEV) versions. Larry and I talk about PHEV use cases to see what makes sense. There are also quite a few used PHEVs on the market. If you're considering a plug-in vehicle, this might be a good way to get into EVs without the range anxiety or nee…

Dave Stein joins us to talk about the Portage MI Celebrations Cinema whose EV chargers were taken off-line. Larry has been arguing that they should be reactivated, but we take a deep dive whether that makes sense. What makes a good Level 2 charging location? What's the business case for the site host? Show Notes and Links Celebration Cinema Crossro…

Big power hungry RVs are already causing power overloads at campgrounds, but charging EVs at the site adds to that issue. We speak with seasoned camper and EV owner Ken Mol about how to charge at campgrounds, how to minimize power shortages, and the etiquette surrounding EV charging in an RV Park. Show Notes and Links KOA - https://koa.com/ PlugSha…

Hertz store manager Oren Danino spoke with us about his experience renting out Teslas, Polestar, Volvos, Kias, and many other EVs from his location at 640 28th Street Southeast in Grand Rapids, MI. He shared some fascinating facts and experiences of how the EV rental business is progressing. Show Notes and Links - Hertz EV Rentals - https://www.her…

Today we just have a brief update on upcoming West Michigan EV events and a sneak preview of next week's podcast. The latest is always on the West Michigan EV Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WestMichiganEV Specifically, the events page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/211692479643336/events…

This week we have a fun and lively conversation with Brad and Erik - aka Teach and Spark. These two convert small EVs like golf cars, shuttle buses, and pontoon boats to be powered on solar panels so those vehicles never need to be plugged in. They also add an inverter to allow vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology so the excess energy can be used for o…

Dave Stein was a Subaru guy. He dipped his toes into the EV world with a 2nd generation Chevy Volt and then made the leap to a Kia EV6 AWD. As a software engineer in the auto industry he also “hacked” his Chevy Volt with a switch to avoid the combustion engine (ICE) from starting just to heat the cabin. We also dive into AWD performance and winter …

Anil Verma tested both a generator and a battery backup system to charge his Tesla, but his EV charger faulted. Using this simple gizmo, a neutral ground bonding plug, he was able to make it work. We talk to Anil what prompted this test, how fast and how many miles per hour can you get with this method and why would you want to. Anil also shared th…

Jeff Myrom, the Director of Transportation Electrification Programs at Consumers Energy, joins us to talk about his personal journey to EVs including his home installation. He used the electrician network provided by Consumers Energy for all customers undercover boss style to install his home charging that included a panel upgrade and a dual J1772 …

Repeat guest and SW Michigan EV Association president Paul Pancella walks us through the upcoming EV events for August, September, and part of October. National Drive Electric Week is the big one with multiple individual events throughout late September and early October. Show Notes and Links: Organizations: - KEVA - https://www.facebook.com/Kalama…

Got an EV? You'll want to download these smartphone apps to make charging and managing your EV much easier. If you have a flip phone, there are a few workarounds, but you'll run into some limits. We dive into which apps make the most sense with a focus on Michigan EV drivers. Links PlugShare - Main: https://www.plugshare.com/ App: https://company.p…

Today we focus on the joy and positives about EV ownership and advocacy. Kudos to Tesla fan, owner, and employee Yanik Dhont for coming up with this concept. Notes and Links: EV Zen Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/938608853881847 Fully Charged podcast: https://fullycharged.show/podcasts/ Zero SR/S Motorcycle: https://zeromotorcycles…

Help make life easier for other EV drivers and ultimately yourself by following a few basic etiquette tips. Larry and I talk about the most common ways to interact with other EV drivers.By Karl Bloss

After a few recent encounters with EV novices, we thought a quick primer on charging basics was appropriate. We dive into range, charging and road trip planning with a view towards new EV drivers. Links: PlugShare https://PlugShare.com App: https://company.plugshare.com/plugshare.html ChargePoint https://ChargePoint.com App: https://www.chargepoint…

In this episode we discuss materials needed for EVs, our collective blindness to those needs, how EV efficiency is related, and how we can respond as consumers and EV drivers. Links: Union of Concerned Scientists - Driving Cleaner - How Electric Cars and Pick-Ups Beat Gasoline on Lifetime Global Warming Emissions - https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/…

For EV drivers in the Consumers Energy electric territory, ready to save $620? The updated PowerMIDrive rebate program now lets you double dip on the home charging rebate and the Smart Charging Incentive that pays you to charge during off-peak periods. My EV Specialist colleagues Carson Seal and Justin Stowe dig into what the EV Specialist role doe…

On this week's podcast, we have a treat for you. Saturday June 18, 2023 was the Michigan Tesla Owners' Club 3rd annual Tesla Summer Meetup. Thanks to the Tesla Owner's Club of Michigan, we have for you the entire recording of the panel from the event and it includes some pretty big names. Our distinguished panel includes: Mike Lichterman - MI Tesla…

Ford and GM have decided to outfit future vehicles with the NACS or Tesla connector and get access to the Supercharger network. We take a crack at what this means for our audience. https://youtu.be/4b5MSBjYaCQ - Two-Bit DaVinci NACS Review https://youtu.be/BfrgG8MmrLI - Out of Spec motoring NACS Review https://electrek.co/2023/06/09/white-house-thr…

Bob Raymond wanted peace and quiet on the lake, so he pulled out the noisy stinky outboard and replaced it with an Elco outboard, batteries, and charging system. We spoke with Bob on the parts and cost associated with the conversion. Details and links: 12 volt / 200 Ah (200A BMS) Lithium Batteries: www.amperetime.com Elco 20 HP electric outboard mo…

In the US and China, women typically make up less than a third of new EV buyers according to CleanTechnica. Cristina Muñoz stopped by the Grand Rapids Drive Electric Earth Day and so we thought it would be fun to have her on the show for the topic of women and EVs. Henry Ford’s wife Clara drove a 1914 Detroit electric car. Kate Cartier, the wife of…

Michigan Tesla Club volunteers have adopted Superchargers by providing trash cans, windshield squeegees, and by cleaning up the areas around Tesla Superchargers and adjacent EV chargers. We speak with Casey Loring as well as Kelli Beth and Burt Sloan about how the Adopt A Supercharger got started as well as future plans. Since most Michigan Superch…

Brian Martindale is in search of kidney donors for kids in need of a transplant. To raise awareness and funds, he is planning to drive a Chevy Bolt EV on a 15,000 mile trip around the US with multiple press events. We spoke with Brian to find out about the program, his own journey to becoming a kidney donor as well as the upcoming EV journey in the…

The Sports Car Club of America is embracing EVs into its programs. We spoke with Bolt EV driver Dayle Frame, the chair of the Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee about what's new in this area of the SCCA. Show Notes and Links: - Sports Car Club of America (SCCA): https://www.scca.com/ - Dayle Frame contact: dframe@scca.com - SCCA Board of Direct…

Overnight EV charging is super convenient and even better when you’re at a comfortable and secluded cabin in Up North Michigan. We talk to Sleepy Bear Cabin’s owner Brandon Walsh. He installed Level 2 charging with a Consumers Energy PowerMIDrive $500 rebate for his own use and now chooses to share the cabin with others by renting it out. We also t…

Drive Electric Earth Month is here and there are quite a few events in Michigan this year starting with Grand Rapids. Day: Saturday, April 15, 2023 Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm EDT Location: Meijer Cascade, 5531 28th St Ct SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Details - https://driveelectricearthday.org/event?eventid=3734 Other events: https://driveelectricearthd…

This week we take a break from EVs to talk to the co-owner of Tortoise and Hare Farm. Brett and his partner Krista own and operate a certified Naturally Grown produce and flower farm in North Muskegon. In addition to selling their products at the Muskegon and Fulton Street Farmer's Markets, they offer their produce via a CSA share. CSA or Community…

We get a little nerdy this episode about Level 1 charging, use cases, and how it fits into the EV charging landscape. We dive into "use case" quite a bit which means how each vehicle is used and what the resulting charging needs are. While trying to stay focused on Level 1 charging, we naturally diverge slightly into topics like solar, charging con…

EVs are usually a gateway for home solar panels. For Ryan Pringnitz, solar came first, then he added a Tesla Model Y Performance. Regarding the Tesla: “It is a life changing experience. It isn't often you get to try something that you instantly know is going to change the world. It was like switching from a flip phone to your first smart phone. The…

Chris Lawrence is a diesel truck guy and loves his Duramax Heavy Duty pickup truck. An encounter with a Tesla Model S in Scottsdale Arizona started the wheels turning on EVs. After test driving a Ford Mustang Mach E for a weekend and more research, he and his wife ordered a Tesla Model Y. Chris walks us through his EV discovery timeline and what pr…

Prompted by the news of Rivian opening a charging station in Benton Harbor Michigan for their customers only, Larry and I discuss private charging networks including, of course, what's happening with the Tesla Supercharger network. We also discuss ideal charging network attributes. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below. - West Mich…

We bought a 2023 Model Y on the recent price dip so I wanted to walk through the ordering and delivery process as well as give some first impressions of the vehicle.By Karl Bloss