Curious about what it takes to own an EV in a dense city like New York? In this episode of Grid Connections, we sit down with Robert Hoffman, host of the Urban EV Podcast, to uncover the real-world challenges and opportunities of city-based EV ownership. From navigating public charging infrastructure and dealing with range anxiety to the growing role of rideshare EV adoption and innovative curbside charging solutions, Robert shares firsthand insights from his own experience. We also explore the reliability of fast-charging networks like Electrify America, the promise of IONNA’s expansion, and why misinformation still holds many drivers back from making the switch. Whether you’re EV-curious or a longtime advocate, this episode will give you an unfiltered look at the evolving landscape of urban electrification.
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Links from this Episode
Rob's Podcast: https://gridconnections.fm/urban-podcast-ev
Rob's Urban EV Website: https://urbanev.co/
@chargeway for EV Route Planning: https://www.chargeway.net/
Flo EV Charging: https://www.flo.com/
Takeaways
1. Urban EV Ownership is More Feasible Than You Think – Despite common misconceptions, living in a city without home charging doesn’t mean you can’t own an EV. Public Level 2 charging networks, like Flow, are making urban EV ownership more practical.
2. 800V vs. 400V Charging: What EV Buyers Need to Know – The difference between these charging architectures affects real-world charging speeds, especially on Tesla’s Supercharger network. Not all fast chargers are created equal.
3. EV Charging Infrastructure Still Has Reliability Issues – While Tesla’s Supercharger network sets the gold standard, non-Tesla public fast charging networks still face uptime and usability challenges, leading to range anxiety for new EV drivers.
4. Plug-in Hybrids Might Not Be the Perfect Middle Ground – While PHEVs are marketed as a bridge to full electrification, most owners rarely charge them, reducing their environmental and cost benefits. The added complexity also means more maintenance.
5. Rideshare Drivers Are Impacting Public Charging Availability – With rideshare drivers making up a significant portion of public EV charging demand, certain locations, especially near airports, are seeing congestion and long wait times.
6. Hotels & Businesses Need to Step Up Their EV Charging Game – Level 2 charging at hotels and commercial locations is still scarce, despite being a potential game-changer for long-distance EV travel and guest convenience.
7. Future Charging Solutions Could Transform City EV Adoption – Innovative approaches, like curbside Level 2 charging from companies like It’s Electric, are emerging to make city-wide EV adoption a reality, reducing reliance on expensive DC fast chargers.
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Chapters
00:00 Intro: The Reality of Urban EV Ownership
01:47 Robert’s Journey to EV Ownership in Brooklyn
06:10 The Role of Plug-in Hybrids & Range Anxiety
08:33 Public Charging in Cities: More Feasible Than Expected?
09:36 Tesla vs. Kia: Tech, Charging, and Ownership Differences
11:28 The Public Charging Reality: Electrify America vs. Tesla Superchargers
14:43 Charging Anxiety on Road Trips: A Real Concern?
20:48 The Future of EV Infrastructure: IONNA & Charging Reliability
29:32 Urban EV Ownership vs. Suburban Charging Advantages
33:49 Innovative Curbside Charging: The Role of It’s Electric
38:47 Politics & EV Infrastructure: Will the Expansion Slow Down?
40:35 Public Perception & Misinformation on EVs
47:16 Why Hotels & Businesses Need to Embrace EV Charging
53:59 800V vs. 400V Charging: Why It Matters
58:14 Charging Curves & Why They Matter for EVs
01:00:05 EV Adoption Hurdles: Misinformation & Consumer Hesitancy
01:03:36 Level 1 Charging: Is It More Practical Than People Think?
01:06:03 Rideshare Drivers & The EV Charging Bottleneck
01:07:33 Hotels & EV Charging: A Missed Opportunity
01:09:52 Closing Thoughts: What’s Next for Urban EV Adoption?
01:11:22 Outro