The Watt Car EV Podcast

The Tesla Roadster reveal 2.0 was a big one, with stunts that wowed. But does the math math? We look at the numbers on this week’s podcast. We also discuss Subaru going all EV in Europe, GM advancing its EV platform, Ford soon offering (more) affordable backup power, Mach-E upgrades that are coming, and more. SHOW NOTES Our ‘26 Mach-E first impressions: https://www.thewattcar.com/2026/10/tesla-mod...

When is good, good enough? For Huawai’s premium Maextro brand, the company might have a lower standard than the rest of us, as brake pedals reportedly fail on those Chinese cars. In other news, Tesla renames FSD to Tesla Assisted Driving in Germany to obtain regulatory approval, Pilot installs MCS chargers for EV big rigs, city cars like the new Citroën 2CV and Smart are coming (but not to the U.S...

BrightDrop’s dead, but that’s not stopping FedEx’s shift to EVs. With GM abandoning its EV delivery truck lineup that FedEx bought into, FedEx is looking to Harbinger, recently ordering 2,000 electric trucks valued at over $300 million, with potential diesel savings for FedEx nearing $800 million over the life of the trucks. We dive in. In other news, we know a little more about the Tesla Semi tha...

Making news this week, Tesla pushes into Europe with its Semi launching 100 megawatt chargers at 21 locations plus Top Gear gives an inside look at how the Semi can relieve financial pressures, and we can’t help but talk about it on this week’s podcast. Also, Windrose open sources its designs, Volkswagen shifts the GTI to rear-wheel drive, Saudi Arabia’s Ceer partners with Foxconn for two interest...

Nine years later, Tesla is ready to relaunch its Roadster, but is there a market for the $200,000+ supercar that may or may not use cold gas thrusters, and is there a more nefarious purpose for this upcoming announcement? We dive in. Also on this week’s podcast, VW showcases its Mission Efficiency parts-bin EV, Volvo extends the range of its PHEVS, and ICE emissions are about to get serious. SHOW...

With ever-increasing global uncertainty (especially since the U.S. invaded Iran), energy is on everyone’s minds. On this week’s episode of The Watt Car EV Podcast, we speak with Euan Graham, Senior Analyst for Ember, an energy think tank that, as its website states, “aims to accelerate the clean energy transition with data and policy.” From the war to solar, wind farms, and more, we dive into what...

Telo Trucks is taking the driver’s seat, poking Ford and Hyundai on the size and capabilities of their small pickups. Is Telo all talk, or is there more to this plucky little startup? We dive in on this week’s podcast. Also, Slate announces a cargo van attachment, Aptera solar panels get third-party testing, an American company breaks through on LFP battery tech, and more! SHOW NOTES Telo releases...

The original Mini was a fun-loving, tossable runabout. The new Mini has its own following for different reasons. But what if the next Mini was EV and rear-wheel drive? Rumors indicate that might be the case, and we discuss what that means on this week’s podcast. Also on the show, Polestar theories abound, the Genesis GV90 gets coach doors, diesel EREV tech comes to EV semis, and more. SHOW NOTES P...

Why is Polestar leaving America? There’s a conspiracy theory about that, and it now has a Polestar dealer suing the company over its reason for removing the brand from American shores. Also on this week’s podcast, Porsche’s Taycan run may end by 2030, Tesla can’t beat Zoox in Vegas, Ferrari sells a Luce for $40 million, and more. SHOW NOTESPolestar dealer alleges brand used Connected Vehicle Rule...

Ford has announced some of the specs of its new affordable EV pickup, and we can’t fathom a more compelling product. Yet, with a starting price barely north of $28,000, is the Ford Fathom the nail in Slate’s coffin. We discuss the future on this week’s episode. We also talk about Lucid’s “operational reset,” Cadillac’s uptown shift, and more. SHOW NOTES Ford’s affordable pickup is the Fathom, not...

Are freedom cars coming? If Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has his way, they will. The proposal gives Americans the “right to drive disconnected and non-automated” cars. Sounds good, although it only took us a couple of minutes to come up with a better proposal. Also on this week’s podcast, Zoox gets approval for expanded operations in Las Vegas, Waymo hits more legal issues in Santa Monica,...

If you’re going to cheat, don’t make it obvious. For example, the Rivian R2 EPA efficiency numbers may not be the entire story, so we talk about it on this week’s podcast. We also talk about Mitsubishi’s latest EV, which is simply a Nissan Leaf undercover. In both cases, the manufacturers are doing what they need to do to survive. So is it cheating? And does it matter? Also, BYD enters the kei car...

On this week’s podcast, it’s been a roller coaster of a year for Lucid, and 2026 is barely half over. With bankruptcy rumors swirling, Lucid’s stock tumbled and the company took evasive action. Is this curtains for Lucid? Meanwhile, Honda cancels the Prologue starting in 2027, Ford’s CEO says there’s no stopping Chinese EVs, Hyundai Group tops a battery degradation poll, and more! SHOW NOTES Bentl...

With a bright Crayola partnership everyone will see coming, it’s a wrap for Slate. But it turns out, a Slate optioned to the hilt is far from inexpensive. With a construction based on affordability (cough, cheap, cough), people are looking for a deal, but at what cost? We talk tiny pickups on this week’s podcast with that, plus a conversation about a Telo towing. Also, the UK implements a mileage...

Is Lucid’s latest purchase and finance deals the first real sign that it's teetering on insolvency? We want Lucid to succeed, but the signs aren’t good. We discuss the gravity of the situation. Also, the Tesla Model Y L heads to the U.S., as does the Fiat Topolino. Then, Rivian’s R2 range looks solid, Windrose controversy swirls, and more, on this week’s podcast. Catch the video version of the pod...

Turns out, a vehicle needn’t be made in China for the U.S. to chuck it from these shores for being a Chinese car, but was Polestar simply a sacrificial lamb for Geely, since Volvo’s presence has been spared? That’s just the first topic on this week’s podcast. The conversation then wanders somewhat autonomously to Tesla, VW, and Bosch and the future of self-driving cars, plus dielectric battery EVs...

From a ho-hum car to more fake ICE sounds to robot overlords, Hyundai’s in the news! Is this Korean automaker joining Tesla in building the robots that are mankind’s downfall? One of the hosts of this podcast thinks it’s a possibility. Plus, Lucid stares at death’s door, Porsche’s U.S. sports wagons are no more…and more! Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music , Audible , Spotify...

Rivian is in the news! From R2 production to R3 expectations, radio features, CalTrans orders, and more, this week’s podcast is packed full of Rivian goodness. But before we get there, first we tackle the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse unveiling, Tesla Cybercab EPA figures, the promise of Telo production, and more! Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music , Audible , Spotify , PocketCa...

The Rivian R2 is in the hands of journalists, and the reviews are in. On this week’s podcast, we discuss whether the sprightly new offering from this EV maker will be enough to take on Tesla and its dominant Model Y. Things are looking good for Rivian, but are they also looking good for the likes of Slate and Telo, especially with Ford’s new low cost EV pickup being developed? We stare into our cr...

Does electric propulsion mean a vehicle is in some way less enjoyable to drive? A recent video by Jason Camissa somewhat implies that, and we can’t help but discuss on this week’s podcast. In other news, Lotus recommits to ICE development, Rolls-Royce updates its Spectre with NACS and more, Rivian R2 looks efficient, and Hummer reveals a wild new concept car. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podc...

Ferrari unveils its first fully electric vehicle, and the reviews are mixed. From its Jony Ive (of Apple fame) exterior and interior design to its stated performance, the reviews are…well…mixed. And on this week’s podcast, we also have opinions. Also this week, Lucid takes back a lemon, Citroën trots out a new 2CV, VinFast hits gen two, and more! Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Amazon...

The Mercedes-AMG GT EV is unveiled, with some interesting styling choices. Does this car have what it takes to become a Porsche Taycan killer? That’s just one of the topics discussed on this week’s podcast. We also talk about federal EV fees, Rivian R2 pricing, Honda reversing course, and more. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music , Audible , Spotify , PocketCasts , iHeartRadi...

Call it morbid curiosity, but we couldn’t help but revisit the topic of the Cadillac Lyriq hearse, especially since there are now photos of the finished product. We take a look. We also look at Toyota’s Woven City, how Tesla’s Robotaxis are doing, whether non-geofenced, fully autonomous cabs will ever exist, and more. Then we say goodbye to the Tesla Model X and S. Subscribe to the podcast on Appl...

Between Jaecoo, BYD, Yangwang, and Geely, Chinese automakers are most definitely coming. In fact, in Europe, they’re already there, and selling well. Is what’s keeping them from the U.S. fear on America’s side, or is there a legitimate reason to keep these vehicles from our shores? We look at some recent news and chew on what it all means. Also, Rivian ups production capacity, the Tesla Semi gets...

BYD reveals a wild one with its Denza Z. Is this 1,000hp roadster everything that the new Tesla Roadster isn’t…because it’s real? Also on this week’s podcast, Toyota EV sales surge, GM delays EV redesigns, Porsche steps back from Bugatti Rimac Group, VW teases the Mk9 GTI (with EV variant), and more! Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music , Audible , Spotify , PocketCasts , iHea...