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In this electrifying episode, we dive deep into the world of heavy-duty electric and hybrid trucks with Chase Barber, co-founder of Edison Motors. Chase shares his unique journey from log truck driver to EV innovator, revealing Edison Motors’ unconventional approach to project management, problem-solving, and shaking up the traditionally slow-moving trucking industry. Get ready for an inspiring and unfiltered conversation about disrupting the status quo, building a company from the ground up, and tackling real-world challenges with ingenuity and authenticity.
Topics Discussed
- Edison Motors’ Origin Story: From ordering a Tesla Semi to deciding to build their own electric truck out of frustration.
- The Hybrid Powertrain: Why Edison Motors chose a hybrid diesel-electric system over a purely electric one, explaining the limitations of current battery technology for heavy-duty trucking.
- Startup Resourcefulness: How Edison Motors started with hat sales, building the prototype in Chase’s parents’ backyard and living with his parents to save money.
- Learning from the Prototype: Lessons learned from the prototype led to designing a better, sourced-parts-only second truck.
- The Electric Pickup Truck Project: Edison Motors’ venture into building hybrid electric pickup trucks for work applications like welding and towing.
- Right to Repair: Edison Motors’ commitment to using off-the-shelf parts to ensure ease of repair and minimize downtime for truck owners.
- Project Management Style: How Edison Motors eschews traditional Gantt charts in favour of “just-in-time learning” and empowering mechanics to solve problems on the fly.
- Customer Involvement in Design: Edison Motors’ collaborative approach with customers, allowing them to actively participate in designing their trucks.