Meet the Team for Drive Electric Week - Part I

As we continue to celebrate National Drive Electric Week, we spoke with a few members of NYPA’s eMobility team to get their thoughts on Electric Vehicles (EVs) and learn a few interesting facts as well. Let’s find out what they had to say!

Name:? John Markowitz

Role: ?Senior Director - eMobility

What I love about my job: Getting to watch a new industry being born

Most useful tip for EV owners:? The first long road trip is a bit intimidating to plan.? But after that, it gets easier and as more fast chargers come online each year the same trips get even easier.

Something every potential EV owner should know:? If you can charge your EV at home, it is a wildly more convenient experience than driving a gas car.? You will not miss visiting the gas station.

A fun fact about me is: As a little kid, I read a story that took place in 1910 and the main character had an electric car. This blew my mind. I thought EVs were part of a rosy science fiction future.? It still boggles my mind that technology actually went backwards and is only correcting its path now.

?

Name: Michele K.

Role: Marketing Manager, eMobility. I manage experiential events to promote the EVolve NY fast charger network, making it easy to travel long distance across NYS in an EV, and educate on EV adoption.?

What I love about my job: That I am making a direct impact in helping the state of New York encourage EV adoption and achieve its nation-leading carbon reduction goals.?

Most useful tip for EV owners: Plan your charging routes in advance to take advantage of stops near shopping or restaurants you may want to explore on your journey. There are many apps available that make this easy and provide many choices. Think of it as a way to explore new adventures that you may not have known of previously.?

Something every potential EV owner should know: There are many rebates available on both used and new EVs. Make sure you do your research and learn about your options available so you can take advantage of the savings.??

A fun fact about me is: I enjoy boating, hiking, fishing, skiing and exploring outdoors – particularly across New York State which has so many hidden gems to offer.?

?

Name:? Anna S.

Role:?eMobility Program Manager ?

What I love about my job:?I love that my job is so dynamic and that it encompasses so many different responsibilities. I get to oversee projects that help our government customers meet their fleet electrification goals through performing feasibility studies which lay down the vital groundwork for fleet transition to electric drivetrain. Managing data and parts of operations for EVolveNY DCFC network gives me a valuable perspective into all aspects of EV infrastructure ownership, equipment lifecycle processes, and cost and benefits analysis considerations. ?I also get to engage with customers and members of the public during our many outreach events where I can provide factual information about EVs and EVSEs which in turn helps unravel the mythology that EV industry seems to be enshrouded in.?

Most useful tip for EV owners:?Take an EV on a road trip and see for yourself how easy it is to travel with! Compared to traveling with infants, children, the elderly, or even pets - traveling with an EV is so straightforward: drive, charge the car – get a break from driving, keep driving!?

Something every potential EV owner should know:?EVs are easy to charge at home! If you have access to L1 or L2 charging, you don’t ever have to waste time sitting at a gas station; instead, you plug in and do something useful with your time instead (catch up on emails, learn a new hobby, sleep, the list is endless). ???

A fun fact about me is: I have Three kids, two cats, one dog, and numerous plants?? ?

?

Name:? Hugo Jule-Quintanilla

Role:?Project Engineer I?

What I love about my job:?There’s always something new, different, challenging or innovative to work on.?

Most useful tip for EV owners: I’d say think of EVs as cell phones. There are different makers, with different technology (software) and different charging wires (regular USB, lightning) that will help determine charging speed and overall user experience. Be patient, taking the time to understand what different car makers offer; that will translate into a happy electric lifestyle!?

A fun fact about me is: I completed a full distance Iron Man triathlon in 2021.

Name:? James Bright

Role:?Project Engineering Manager – eMobility?

What I love about my job:?Making a tangible impact. When I started in this group, a road trip in anything other than a Tesla was not realistic. ?Now it’s very practical. ?

Most useful tip for EV owners:?Go and test drive a few EVs and talk to EV owners to understand what’s it’s like. ?Skip the news. ?

Something every potential EV owner should know:?Driving an EV is superior to gas in every way, you just need to figure out how charging will work in your daily routine.