#17: Big D, Defence Contracts, and Go-Kart Chaos

#17: Big D, Defence Contracts, and Go-Kart Chaos

After a crazy few months on the road, the crew is back in the shop and a lot has happened. In this episode we break down the supply chain trips to China and the U.S., axle testing drama in Detroit, and where we are on getting trucks ready for real production. We unveil “Big D,” the newly almost finished Royal winch tractor, talk through why we’re refusing pre-orders, and lay out the step‑by‑step plan for a validation production run of mechanicals and hybrids before scaling up. You’ll hear how we’re approaching apples‑to‑apples testing between hybrid and mechanical trucks, what it actually costs in hours to build one, and why we’re simplifying future builds with more analog wiring and common off‑the‑shelf parts. On the lighter side, we recap the NATO/Canadian military show in CANSEC, our first defense contract, sitting in fighter jets, firing simulated missiles, and almost towing a jet with the hybrid pickup. Then we get into this year’s Edison EV Go‑Kart Challenge: record turnout, insane student builds sending 5–6 feet of air, teachers turning the new shop into a donut arena, and why we’re finally opening an adult league to help sponsor more school teams. We also cover Investor Day at the new shop, concrete pour and facility upgrades, pickup conversion kit updates, and how we’re thinking about certification, chassis “skateboards,” and open sourcing wiring and CAN info. If you want a candid look at what it’s actually like to grow a Canadian truck manufacturer from prototype chaos into real production, while still having a bonfire with fans at the end of the day, this episode is for you. For information on investing in Edison Motors, visit: https://edisonmotors.ca/investors

#16: Slave Wages and Fake Shortages: Harman Bhangu on Trucking’s Broken System

Chase brings in MLA and former trucker Harman Bhangu to break down how the “driver shortage” is really a pay shortage, supercharged by the abuse of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. They unpack how some carriers are charging migrants tens of thousands to come to Canada, trapping them in debt and closed work permits that amount to modern indentured servitude, while honest companies trying to pay fair wages get undercut and pushed out of the market. Harman explains why wages have stagnated, why families are choosing warehouses over the highway, and how Victoria’s out‑of‑touch policies are hollowing out the industry that keeps B.C.’s shelves stocked. From rallies and shop‑floor conversations to his jump into politics, he lays out what needs to change so trucking can be a respected, well‑paid career again instead of a race to the bottom.

#15: Dump the Oligarchs: Emily Lowan on Trucking, Migration, and Modern-Day Servitude

Chase sits down with BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan to dig into how Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program has become, in the UN’s own words, a “breeding ground for modern-day slavery.” They break down how closed work permits trap migrant truck drivers in indentured servitude, why fines against abusive carriers are meaningless, and how corporations use anti-immigrant rhetoric to keep workers fighting each other instead of the oligopolies driving wages down. Emily lays out concrete fixes, from ending closed permits and funding real enforcement, to large-scale regularization and permanent residency, while Chase connects it all back to what truckers lived through during Covid, the convoy, and the collapse of rest stops, showers, and basic dignity on the road. If you care about trucking, immigration, or the working class getting a fair shot, this is a conversation about possible ways to fight back together instead of buying the culture war spin.

#14: ConExpo Chaos: Bureaucrats, Border Drama, and the Texas Bed Truck

ConExpo might not have gotten the Edison truck, but it definitely got the full Edison Motors experience. In this episode, the crew breaks down how a simple trip to ConExpo Vegas turned into a masterclass in government red tape, border headaches, and creative problem solving when Environment Canada and the EPA blocked their hybrid truck and Border Security even blocked the axles from crossing the border. Instead of backing down, they built a booth around a brutally honest sign calling out “stupid government rules,” connected with fans, and turned a logistical disaster into one of the most talked about exhibits on the floor. The conversation goes deep into the design and purpose of a hybrid Texas bed winch tractor, explaining how this specialized oilfield truck can load its own 400‑barrel tanks, move rig mats, and stand tank farms while running fully electric on site to slash idle time and fuel burn. They lay out their plan to build two nearly identical trucks, one mechanical and one hybrid, to capture real world fuel savings data instead of just “math on paper,” making this episode a goldmine for anyone into heavy equipment, oilfield operations, or sustainable work trucks. Along the way, the guys share behind the scenes stories from the show floor, from being featured in multiple OEM and supplier booths to the infamous bare‑ass radiator photo prank that almost ended up on a giant trade show banner. It’s an unfiltered look at trade‑show politics, marketing that actually gets attention, and the reality of trying to push innovative hybrid truck technology through layers of bureaucracy. If you’re into diesel hybrids, heavy haul, oilfield trucks, Texas bed rigs, government overreach, or just chaotic small company hustle, this episode is packed with searchable keywords and stories that will keep fans and new listeners hooked.

#13: Undisclosed Trucks, Demolished Shops, and Go‑Kart Wars

Chase and the crew fire up the mics after a break to unload a ton of updates: delivering their first semi to Ontario (and what broke), winter EV battery headaches, undisclosed customer projects, Land Cruiser hybrid test results, ConExpo troubles, warehouse demolition, go-kart challenge plans, investor day camping chaos, and where the Royal winch tractor build is really at behind the scenes.