JRE 1287 · May 1, 2019

Rich Benoit

technologybusinessenvironment

Who is Rich Benoit?

Rich Benoit is a car enthusiast who salvages Tesla vehicles typically by combining several cars which have been totaled. Check out his YouTube channel Rich Rebuilds: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfV0_wbjG8KJADuZT2ct4SA

Topics and Timestamps

01Rich Benoit salvages totaled Tesla vehicles and rebuilds them by combining parts from multiple cars
02Tesla's engineering and battery technology is incredibly sophisticated and difficult to work with
03Rich has created a successful YouTube channel documenting his Tesla rebuild projects
04The economics of salvaging Teslas is challenging due to expensive parts and complex repair requirements
05Tesla's software and hardware integration makes independent repair extremely difficult
06Rich discusses the future of electric vehicles and the challenges of working with modern EV technology
▶Rich explains his salvage business model and how he sources totaled Teslas0:00:30
▶Discussion of Tesla's complex engineering and why repairs are so difficult0:15:45
▶Rich talks about his YouTube channel success and the community he's built0:28:20
▶Economic challenges of salvaging expensive EV components and batteries0:42:15
▶Conversation about right to repair issues and Tesla's repair restrictions0:55:30

The Show

In JRE 1287, Joe sits down with Rich Benoit, a car enthusiast and salvage expert who specializes in rebuilding totaled Tesla vehicles. Rich has built a significant following on YouTube through his channel Rich Rebuilds, where he documents the process of taking multiple damaged Teslas and combining their parts to create functional vehicles.

The conversation dives deep into the world of EV salvage and restoration. Rich explains how he sources totaled Teslas, often from auctions or insurance companies, and then methodically goes through the process of determining what's salvageable and what needs to be rebuilt from scratch. What makes his work particularly interesting is that he's essentially reverse engineering Tesla's systems while learning as he goes.

Joe and Rich discuss the incredible complexity of modern electric vehicles compared to traditional cars. Tesla's integration of software and hardware means that fixing one thing often requires understanding multiple interconnected systems. Rich talks about the challenges of working without official Tesla support or documentation, having to figure out solutions through trial and error and community knowledge sharing.

The economics of Tesla salvage come up frequently throughout the conversation. While parts from totaled Teslas might seem valuable, the reality is more complicated. Battery packs are expensive but also heavily regulated and difficult to safely handle. Electronics and sensors can be damaged in ways that aren't immediately obvious. What seems like a simple repair job on a traditional car can become a months-long project on a Tesla.

Rich discusses his YouTube success and how documenting these projects has created a community of people interested in EVs, salvage, and DIY engineering. His videos have resonated with viewers who are fascinated by both the technical challenge and the sustainability angle of salvaging vehicles rather than scrapping them entirely.

The conversation also touches on Tesla's approach to repair and right to repair issues. Rich has had to become incredibly resourceful because he can't simply call Tesla for parts or technical support. This has forced him to learn systems that most mechanics will never understand, and he's become an unexpected expert in Tesla's engineering by necessity.