Ride the Lightning: Tesla and EV Podcast

As we've seen in the past, Tesla China rolled out a couple of design updates to the Shanghai-built Model Y's. I'll tell you all about them and why we'll probably see them in North America and Europe as well, sooner rather than later. Plus: Tesla's CEO says the Model Y topped global sales charts again in 2025, a Model 3 on FSD successfully completes full coast-to-coast drive with zero interventions...

I make my annual Tesla predictions for the new year, bringing other EVs into the conversation this year as well. Plus: Tesla posts its Q4 and full-year 2025 numbers, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!) annual pledge. Every little bit helps, and you ca...

A new Tesla patent aims to tackle the issue of sun glare affecting FSD at low light angles by giving the system, in my words, sunglasses. Plus: Tesla boosts battery production efforts at Giga Berlin, a deeper look at tire manufacturer's warranties and how they might be able to benefit EV drivers, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon a...

Tesla's more luxurious, longer-wheelbase, six-seat Model Y L looks set to enter another new region, setting it up for a potential global rollout sooner rather than later. Plus: Cybertruck earns a top safety rating, Ford sadly discontinues the fantastic F-150 Lightning, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/te...

Tesla has delivered a stuffed stocking to its customers in the form of this year's holiday software update that adds over a dozen new features to the cars. Plus: more clear indications that the new Tesla Roadster is finally going to get built, Rivian unveils its new custom full-self-driving chip, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon a...

New Consumer Reports data puts Tesla in the top ten most reliable car brands. Plus: a Tesla higher-up teases a possible Robovan-based RV platform, Rivian launches a bold new limited-edition paint color option, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!) annua...

A special guest joins me to tell me his fascinating story of living out of his Tesla – by choice – for the past eight years. I hope you enjoy the conversation! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!) annual pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonu...

Tesla's radically advanced AI5 FSD chip has been delayed, so I'll discuss what that means for prospective Tesla buyers and for the Cybercab. Plus: Tesla fights another US state's direct-sales ban, Porsche unveils an impressive new EV, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly o...

In a surprise, Tesla is reportedly working on adding Apple CarPlay to its vehicles. Plus: Tesla sweeps the global EV sales charts for September, Ford CEO Jim Farley says his company was "shocked" when they took apart a Tesla Model 3, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or...

Tesla held its annual shareholder meeting for 2025, and there's a lot to talk about, from the record-breaking CEO compensation package to the next markets for Robotaxi to a re-reveal date for the next-generation Tesla Roadster and much more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (...

In a surprising turn of events, Tesla says that it would be willing to build the Cybercab with a steering wheel and pedals – if regulators require it. Plus: we get our first real indication that Tesla is finally gearing up to build the next-gen Roadster, Rivian readies an Autonomy Day, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://w...

Tesla held its Q3 earnings call, and as always I've got a recap, highlight clips, and analysis of everything the Tesla executives talked about on the call. Plus: Model S and X return to Europe, Cybercab gets a production start window, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly o...

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen sits down with me – yes, again! – to discuss Master Plan Part 4, his role as the company evolves, Tesla's rarest paint colors, and so much more! TIMECODES: 8:00 Interview start 9:25 Discussing Master Plan Part 4 13:26 Will Tesla be making new vehicles in new segments in the next five years? 14:38 Will there be new Tesla vehicles other than the new Roadster...

Tesla reveals not just a more affordable Model Y but also a cheaper Model 3! I'll tell you all about these Standard trim cars and what I think of them. Plus: good news at Lucid, better news at GM, bad news at Nissan, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!...

Tesla has set a new quarterly record for deliveries as the federal EV tax credit sunsets. I'll walk you through the numbers and what analysis we can take away from it. Plus: the new Model Y Performance debuts in North America with an unexpected bonus, new details on the more-affordable Model Y Standard leak from Tesla's own website, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my e...

Panasonic is working on a next-gen battery cell that could bring serious improvements to Tesla vehicles. But how will Tesla choose to utilize it? Plus: more details are seemingly unearthed about the upcoming more-affordable Model Y, Nissan pulls one of its EVs from the US market, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.pat...

Tesla CEO Elon Musk gives a notable update on both FSD Supervised version 14 as well as the potential power of the upcoming AI5 FSD Computer. Plus: more evidence mounts that the Model 3 will soon get a front bumper camera and a turn signal stalk, Rivian breaks ground on its new assembly plant in Georgia, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my P...

On this week's episode of Ride the Lightning: The Tesla and EV Podcast, new evidence suggests Tesla's Robotaxi network is about to roll out in two more southwestern US states. Plus: using non-Tesla chargers is about to get easier for Tesla owners in a new pilot program, Tesla Energy unveils the Megablock, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my...

I took my first Robotaxi ride and I'd love to tell you all about my experience. Plus: Tesla published its Master Plan Part 4, then continued its busy week by proposing a massive new CEO compensation package, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!) annual...

Tesla Europe officially revealed the new Model Y Performance, and it's packing a few surprises that make it even better than anticipated. Plus: Tesla has been making news all around the world this week, from FSD Supervised rolling out in its first new region to Cybertruck launching in a new territory to the possible return of the Model S and Model X to Europe, and much more! If you enjoy the podca...

The new six-seat, longer-wheelbase Model Y L has officially launched in China, and we've got a ton of new details about the biggest Model Y ever as a result – and some of them are very pleasantly surprising! Plus: Model 3 adds a highly desired part back into the interior in China; the Model S, X, and Cybertruck get a fancy new Luxe Package; and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to supp...

A new patent applied for by Tesla suggests that the next-gen Roadster might be doing some extra-crazy stuff to make it outperform other supercars. Plus: the Cybertruck's off-road armor package finally arrives, a near-future timeline and big expectations arrive for the upcoming version 14 of FSD Supervised, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my...

I'm joined by perhaps the only person in the Tesla community who pays closer attention to it than I do: Tesla tipster Sawyer Merritt, who I regularly cite on this podcast. We'll talk about how he got into the world of Tesla, what motivates him to do what he does, why he feels Tesla needs to start advertising, and much more. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, plea...

The more affordable version of the Model Y has been spotted in a parking lot and captured on video. I'll tell you about what we now know for sure about what could be Tesla's lowest-price vehicle yet. Plus: it turns out that yes, the new Roadster really is back; a slightly different version of Tesla's Robotaxi service launches in my city, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support...

Tesla held its earnings call for Q2, and I've got highlight clips from Elon Musk and the Tesla executive team, plus a summary and analysis of all the news. Plus: the Tesla Diner is now open – and I got to go eat there! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!) annual...