EP 55: EV Charging Is Harder Than It Looks with David Weber

In this episode of Harder Than It Looks, host Brian Wolff is joined by David Weber, Head of National Business Development for Parking at SWTCH Energy. David brings more than two decades of experience across the parking industry, starting as a valet at a Las Vegas casino before moving into operations, digital parking, business development, and now EV charging infrastructure.

David’s path through parking has taken him across the parking industry. Along the way, he learned how to handle people, solve operational challenges, say yes to new opportunities, and build a career in an industry that has a way of pulling people back in.

Brian and David dig into what parking operators and asset owners need to understand about EV charging: the misconceptions, the real costs, the role of incentives, load management, uptime, and why chargers should be treated as part of the broader parking ecosystem.

David also explains why EV charging is less about becoming a major revenue stream and more about serving tenants and customers, and preparing parking assets for the future of mobility, including fleets and autonomous vehicles.

Key Takeaways

EV charging is not plug-and-play.

Installing chargers requires understanding power availability, building infrastructure, load management, incentives, customer needs, and long-term operational goals.EV charging is an amenity and a competitive advantage.

For garages, office buildings, multifamily properties, and urban parking assets, EV charging is increasingly becoming something customers expect.Operators need to cut through misinformation.

David addresses common misconceptions around EV fires, vehicle weight, charger placement, and whether existing garages can support EV adoption.The real cost is often infrastructure, not the charger.

Chargers themselves have become more affordable, but electrical work, conduit, transformers, and power capacity can drive the true project cost.Parking assets are well-positioned for the next wave of mobility                                  With the growing trend of EV drivers, autonomous vehicles, and electric fleets, parking operators already control valuable real estate that could become essential charging and mobility hubs.

Episode Highlights

[02:00] David shares his career story, from growing up near Buffalo to starting as a valet at The Mirage in Las Vegas.                                            [05:30] What David learned from working at the ground level of parking operations                                                                                           [11:00] Why EV charging is “much harder than it looks” and what parking operators often underestimate.                                                                  [13:00] Brian and David discuss misinformation around EVs, including fires, vehicle weight, and garage placement.