The Amped EV Podcast

The Chevy BrightDrop 400 is a compact, all-electric delivery van built for last-mile fleets. It’s smaller than the BrightDrop 600 but still delivers strong cargo capacity, flexible charging, and driver-friendly features. In this walkaround, we cover driving impressions, cargo space, and charging capability to show how it performs in daily fleet use.BrightDrop 400 Features and Specs:Size: 238.6 inches long, a width of 89.4 inches (without mirrors), and a height of 109.2 inches. (About nine feet tall, seven feet wide, and just under 20 feet long)Service: No belts or oil changes; only coolant and washer fluidEfficiency: Regenerative braking and one-pedal driving extend brake life and return energySafety: Park sensors, forward collision alerts, heated mirrors, and a surround-view HD cameraInterior: Cushioned passenger seat, multiple cupholders, charging ports, and power outlets (120V/240V, up to 7.2 kW)Cargo: 3,710-lb payload, 412 cubic feet of volume, sliding doors for safe street-side deliveries, upfit-ready interiorCharging: Supports scheduled charging, DC fast charge with preconditioning, and on-screen charge status. Delivery mode auto-opens/closes doors to save time at stopsThe BrightDrop 400 blends cargo space, safety tech, and EV efficiency into a smaller footprint for last-mile delivery.www.thebuzzevnews.com

Redline Detection has become a name that no one in the EV service world can ignore. Perhaps best known for its Battery and Coolant Leak Detector (BCLD), the company now supports EV battery leak detection and diagnostics throughout the EV lifecycle, from battery R&D to collision repair and end-of-life handling.  In this episode of the Amped EV Podcast, Redline Detection President Alex Parker talks about the company’s explosive growth, how it developed the BCLD using patented nano leak technology, and why this tool plays an essential role across every stage of an EV’s lifecycle, from battery R&D to collision repair and end-of-life reclamation.www.thebuzzevnews.com

What if students could learn about EVs by building and driving one themselves? Switch Vehicles, a company that combines hands-on education with industry-relevant training, provides that service. Its EV training program enables students and teachers to assemble fully functional electric vehicles.In this episode, Brandon Watt, Marketing Director at Switch Vehicles, and Dan Vincent, lead instructor and retired professor, explain the Switch Lab program. Instead of using emulators or theory alone, students wire, assemble, and test real EV systems. They work on 12V, high-voltage, regenerative braking, and torque response systems – and then get to drive the finished vehicle.The Buzz: www.thebuzzevnews.com

How do you train today’s technicians to work on powertrains that barely existed a decade ago—and keep evolving each year? Bosch Mobility took on that challenge with its nationwide EV technician training tour, a hands-on program designed to meet technicians on-site.Brittany Kearns, Project Manager for EV Service Concept at Bosch Mobility, joins The Amped EV Podcast to discuss this mobile training initiative. Bosch launched the tour in 2024 to address the growing demand for EV technician training across the United States.Kearns explains how the one-day, face-to-face program brings cutaway vehicles, diagnostic tools, and essential equipment directly to workshops. The tour targets technicians, students, and educators – giving them the confidence to work on EV platforms like the Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf, Tesla models, Ford Lightning, and Chevy Blazer EV.Expanding Technical Depth and Responding to FeedbackFeedback from the field led Bosch to expand the curriculum with advanced training modules and deeper diagnostic content.  Kearns shares how Bosch is also addressing regional training needs, including diesel education and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).Bosch supports shops as they transition to servicing connected, software-defined vehicles.  She emphasizes that technicians must go beyond mechanical repairs and understand software updates, sensor calibration, and system diagnostics. As EVs evolve, Bosch continuously updates its tools and educational offerings to keep pace.Evolving EV Technician Training Curriculum and Public EducationKearns notes a growing number of hands-on EV training programs across the industry and sees that trend as critical. These resources help close knowledge gaps—not just for technicians, but for the public as well. www.thebuzzevnews.com

As more drivers switch to EVs, businesses must expand reliable, convenient charging in shopping centers, public parking, and other high-traffic areas. Brant Hastings, North American President of ABB E-mobility, joins The Amped EV Podcast to discuss the ABB E-mobility C50 charger. This 50-kilowatt DC fast charger serves retailers, urban areas, and public charging locations. Hastings explains how the ABB C50 charger meets the rising demand for EV destination charging. It offers dual-port functionality and a compact design that fits shopping malls and parking garages.How Retailers Can Adapt to EV ChargingHastings says retailers have much to consider when adjusting to EV growth and the barriers faced when installing chargers. He also examines why destination charging drives EV adoption. Hastings shares insights into charging infrastructure changes and the role of digital integration and loyalty programs. He explains how public chargers help drivers who lack home charging access."When drivers can charge during their normal activities – when they can check it off as part of a routine that they already have – it reduces that perceived effort and that time commitment and alleviates a lot of this range anxiety," he says.How the ABB E-Mobility C50 Charger Hopes to Make EV Charging Simple for Businesses Hastings explains ABB E-mobility’s strategy for simplifying charger management, ensuring retailers support EV adoption without adding complexity.   Watch the episode above for a deep dive into the future of destination charging and the challenges of expanding EV infrastructure. Learn how solutions like the ABB C50 charger create a more accessible EV charging network. The Buzz: www.thebuzzevnews.com