On episode 40 of Granite Goodness, Andy stops by the showroom of Green Wave Electric Vehicles in North Hampton to chat with Jesse Lore. The two discuss everything from hip hop to international poverty alleviation, and along the way discover they went through the same high school music program (go Lancer Nation!!!). They also cover:
Jesse’s Community-Centered Mission: Green Wave focuses on educating people about EVs through local events and fostering personal connections, which are more effective than traditional marketing.
Empowering Car Buyers: Unlike typical dealerships, Green Wave prioritizes transparency and customer empowerment, making car buying enjoyable and stress-free.
Impact Metrics: The business measures success by planting trees (100 per EV sold), reducing carbon footprints (1.1 million kilograms so far), and saving customers money (around $500,000 collectively).
A Personal and Creative Journey: Jesse’s background in nonprofits, sustainability, and hip-hop shaped his innovative approach to blending climate action and business.
and more!
Jesse Lore is the Founder of Green Wave Electric Vehicles, New Hampshire’s first dedicated EV and Plug-In Hybrid dealership.
Links & Notes
This episode was recorded at Green Wave Electric Vehicles in North Hampton, NH
Music by Sneaky Miles
Youtube
AI Generated Episode Summary*
What makes electric vehicles so appealing to you?
Every time I hop into one of these cars and hit the accelerator, it’s exhilarating. Beyond just being fun, EVs save money, help the planet, and are better overall. Once people experience this, it becomes less about politics and more about practicality—just a better car choice.
Why the name “Green Wave”?
The name came from brainstorming. It reflects the wave of change in society—transitioning to clean energy and reducing carbon footprints. It’s a revolution, and we’re here to help people make that shift. Plus, it resonates with our goal of growth, as evident from the abundance of plants in our dealership.
How do you see your business evolving?
We’re like Radio Shack was during the hi-fi era—helping people adapt to something new. Eventually, all car dealers will sell electric vehicles, but for now, we focus on teaching people about EVs and easing their transition.
Is competition a concern?
I view the adoption curve as a non-zero-sum game. The more people choose EVs, the more infrastructure develops, which benefits everyone. I heard recently that by 2030, New Hampshire alone may see around 50,000 new EV registrations yearly—there’s plenty of room for all of us.
How do you engage with local communities?
Community events are our secret weapon. They let us connect, educate, and differentiate ourselves from traditional dealerships. These events are also more impactful than spending thousands on internet marketing.
How do you address stereotypes about car dealerships?
We’re the opposite of the sleazy car dealer stereotype. Our approach empowers buyers by being transparent and ensuring they feel good about their decisions. Buying a car should be fun and empowering, not stressful.
What metrics define your success?
We measure success in three ways: trees planted (100 per EV sold), carbon footprint reduction (over 1.1 million kilograms so far), and cost savings for customers (around $500,000 collectively). These are tangible impacts that align with our mission.
How does New Hampshire’s car culture fit with EV adoption?
Cars are integral to American life, especially in New Hampshire. While climate advocates often push for bikes or buses, our society isn’t there yet. EVs are a realistic, immediate solution to reducing the 45% of carbon emissions coming from transportation.
What’s your background, and how did it lead here?
I started in nonprofits and moved to selling wheelchair-accessible vans, then got an MBA in sustainability. Combining that knowledge with a passion for climate action, I launched Green Wave to address transportation’s role in the climate crisis.
You performed some great poetry at the New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility Slam Event— do you have experience with the spoken word?
I was a rapper and part of an activist-artist collective in New York. I’ve even collaborated with artists like Homeboy Sandman. My passion for hip-hop shaped my creativity, and my family is proud of the connections we’ve built through music and sustainability.
*This episode summary was generated by an AI analyzing a transcript of the interview. The questions, wording, and written meaning of particular sections may contain slight differences to the original conversation. We include these summaries to give listeners a brief, readable synopsis of the episode. The full episode transcript is available on granitegoodness.com.
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