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From Saving Lives to Saving Energy
By day, Tom Gan is a full-time doctor. By night (and often weekends), he’s better known as the creator of Ludicrous Feed, one of Australia’s largest independent EV channels.
Tom started in 2018 with a simple 20-second Tesla Model S video on YouTube. What began as a way to answer his friends’ endless questions about EVs has grown into a trusted community for everyday Australians exploring EVs, solar, and home batteries.
“I just wanted to show that a normal family can own and run an EV in Australia — warts and all.”
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
- EV batteries last longer than critics claim — Tom’s Tesla Model S still has ~93% capacity after 10 years.
- Most EVs are already V2G-ready, but manufacturers haven’t updated warranties to support it.
- Amber Energy turns homes into micro-traders — Tom has earned ~$60 in a single evening during price spikes.
- China is 6–12 months ahead — Australian buyers often wait for features already standard in China (rotating seats, zero-gravity chairs).
- Tesla faces real competition — BYD, MG, Zeekr, and XPeng are delivering luxury-level EVs around $60k.
- Ultra-fast charging is the tipping point — sub-10-minute refuelling could transform EV adoption in Australia.
- EVs as grid assets — bi-directional charging will let every parked EV support homes and the grid.
- Cleaner, quieter cities are achievable — in Shanghai, Tom witnessed streets with 50% EV sales and far less air pollution.
- and much much more!
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From Tesla Owner to EV Storyteller
Back in 2018, Tom uploaded a simple 20-second video showing how to start his Tesla Model S. It was intended to answer recurring questions from friends and family, but that clip marked the beginning of Ludicrous Feed.
Today, the channel is one of Australia’s largest sources of independent EV content. Unlike slick, over-produced reviews, Tom keeps things relatable: unpolished edits, his wife Joy appearing on camera, and a focus on what it’s really like to live with an EV in Australia.
“I just wanted to show that a normal family can own and run an EV in Australia — warts and all.”
Busting the Battery Myth
Perhaps the most striking insight Tom shared was about battery life. When he bought his Tesla Model S second-hand more than 10 years ago, sceptics warned the battery wouldn’t last. Yet after a decade, the car still retains around 93% of its original capacity.
That real-world evidence challenges one of the longest-running myths about EVs. Careful charging habits — in Tom’s case, keeping the daily charge capped at 80% — have helped slow degradation. For Australians on the fence, it’s a reassuring sign that EV batteries can go the distance.
China’s EV Surge and What It Means for Us
Tom has also had a front-row seat to the explosion of EV manufacturing in China. After touring plants run by BYD, Geely and Zeekr, he describes the scale as “like Iron Man’s workshop” — vast campuses dominated by robotics and automation.
He notes that while Australian buyers often wait six to twelve months for features that are already commonplace in China, the brands currently in our market — BYD, MG, Zeekr and XPeng — are likely here for the long run.
“The brands already here are the big players. They’ll be around.”
This matters for local drivers: it suggests the EV options on offer today aren’t passing fads, but the foundation of a market that will only grow stronger.
Turning Cars into Power Stations: V2G and Amber Energy
One of Tom’s passions is exploring how EVs can interact with the grid. At home, he has combined a 40kWh Sigenergy battery with an Amber Energy wholesale electricity plan. The result is a glimpse into the future of energy trading.
By charging his battery when prices are low — sometimes just 5–10¢ per kilowatt-hour — and exporting during evening spikes that hit $18–$20, Tom has managed to earn as much as $60 in a single night.
The limitation, he says, is inverter size. His Tesla Powerwall 2 can only discharge at 5kW, capping potential earnings. But as larger inverters and bi-directional chargers become mainstream, the potential for households to act as “mini power stations” will only increase.
“With V2G, every parked car can become part of Australia’s energy system.”
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, Tom believes Australia’s EV journey is just beginning. He points to ultra-fast charging — capable of topping up cars in under ten minutes — as the tipping point that will ease range anxiety and bring EV adoption into the mainstream.
He also imagines a shift in how charging is experienced: purpose-built hubs with cafés, toilets and services, rather than chargers tucked away behind shopping centres. And, having seen the difference in cities like Shanghai, he’s confident that cleaner, quieter streets are within reach if Australia continues down the electrification path.
“If you’ve got off-street parking and home charging, why would you buy a petrol car in the city?”
Why It Matters
Tom Gan’s story resonates because it blends expertise with lived experience. As a doctor, he’s grounded in evidence. As a father and homeowner, he knows the realities of running a household. And as the voice behind Ludicrous Feed, he’s helping thousands of Australians understand how EVs, solar and batteries fit together in everyday life.
For anyone considering the leap into electrification, Tom’s advice is simple: start somewhere. Whether it’s with rooftop solar, a home battery, or your first EV, every step helps build the cleaner, smarter energy system of the future.
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