In this episode of "Insider’s Guide To Energy EV", guest Blake Jessen (VP of North America at Driivz) joins hosts Chris Sass and Niall Riddell from Paua to explore how open standards can accelerate EV adoption, particularly in North America. The conversation focuses on the current challenges facing EV infrastructure and how transitioning from proprietary systems to universal protocols can drive innovation, improve reliability, and enhance the driver experience.

Jessen highlights the uneven pace of EV adoption in North America, with California nearing 35% of new passenger vehicle sales as EVs, while the national average remains closer to 7%. The discussion notes that even dominant players like Tesla are facing slowed demand and infrastructure-related issues, emphasising how essential a dependable charging network is to further growth.

A major theme of the episode is the need for open standards like OCPP2.0.1 (Open Charge Point Protocol), which enable interoperability between different charging hardware and software providers. Jessen explains that adopting such standards makes it easier to integrate new technologies and manage charging networks at scale. This is especially important as more players enter the space and demand for seamless, reliable charging continues to rise.

Grid capacity is another critical concern. As EV adoption increases, the power demands on local utilities rise sharply. Jessen and the hosts discuss solutions such as using onsite battery storage and integrating renewable energy sources to ease pressure on the grid. These technologies, when combined with smart charging systems powered by open standards, can help distribute energy more efficiently and sustainably.

Reliability is key to consumer trust. The episode delves into how open standards can set clearer performance benchmarks, such as measuring uptime at the individual port level rather than at a whole-site level. This shift improves transparency and ensures that charging providers are held accountable for the quality of their service - an essential factor in encouraging EV adoption.

Another benefit of open standards is their role in fostering competition and innovation. With a common language across the industry, new entrants can more easily launch compatible products and services. This lowers barriers to entry and creates a more dynamic ecosystem, driving advancements in both hardware and software. The result is a more resilient, high-performing EV charging network.

The episode also touches on operational complexity, acknowledging thatmaintaining high reliability across a growing and diverse charging networkrequires orchestration across vendors, service providers, and utilities. Jessen notes a trend towards selecting best-in-class solutions instead of relying on single vendors, signaling a maturing market that values performance over exclusivity.

Looking to the future, the conversation anticipates significant industry changes over the next 12–24 months. These include consolidation, new market entrants, broader adoption of advanced charging protocols, and a shift toward a more cohesive infrastructure landscape.

In summary, the episode presents a compelling case for open standards as a catalyst for faster, more reliable, and more scalable EV adoption—paving the way for a user-friendly and innovative electric mobility future.

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