Watts Under the Bonnet - The Electric Vehicle Podcast

It’s the final episode of Season 2! And producer Kelsey has gone all out, treating Rusty & Nads to a buffet of sizzling headlines: rumours swirling around Tesla's shaky brand health, Cadillac dropping an $11k pair of sneakers (yes, really!), and the latest cost-of-living hack—ditching the pro mechanic for a TikTok fix. That’s right - MyCar's latest mobility index is out, and the DIY car repair...

We asked our audience and the broader carsales community the question ‘What bone do you have to pick with EVs?’ and wow, you all had plenty to say! From questions about whether 'electric Jesus' (Elon) is leading a cult and if there should be a road-user charge, to charging headaches and environmental concerns - our mailbag was overflowing! So, we brought in the big guns to tackle these topics: Tim...

Ever regretted buying a car? Rusty and Nads may just have the cure: EV subscriptions! They dive into the latest trends and whether they think this move is a smart one.  Then, Senior Editor Feann Torr steps in with the latest EV market highlights. First up, the all-new MINI Countryman , poised to make waves with its sleek design and impressive tech. Not to be outdone, the Rolls Royce Spectre rolls...

We know EV owners are some of the most environmentally conscious drivers out there. So, in this episode Rusty and Nadine take a microscope to whether an EV's end-of-life is just as green as its on-road life. Talking with Emma McIndoe, Managing Director at AA Recycling and Melbourne icon Pick-A-Part , we uncover how EVs are transforming the auto-recycling industry and what you need to know if you’r...

Are EV drivers too lazy to share public chargers? In this episodes news roundup, Rusty and Nadine dive into the hot topic of EV etiquette after a controversial photo sparked debate. Plus, what’s going on with the EU and US import tariffs on Chinese EVs , and why you should check your Uber account if you've recently taken a trip in an Uber Electric. Later, Senior Editor Feann Torr returns with the...

Did you know Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standards could have been even tougher? Thankfully, auto-industry advocates like Matt Hobbs stepped in. In an exclusive chat with Rusty and Nadine, MTAA CEO Matt Hobbs breaks down what these standards mean for drivers, manufacturers, and dealers. He also explains the credit system, the frustration over vehicle type categorisation, and potential indus...

Winter might have brought a chill, but the news is white hot according to Rusty. Bringing the heat this month is solar-energy export tarrifs, the notorious ‘EV Graveyard’ photo trending on socials, and the prospect of a driverless future that has Nads raising an eyebrow. Plus, friend of the podcast Sarah Aubrey is back but this time as our ‘Meet An EV-er’. In just six months, Sarah’s witty and hon...

With new hydrogen  FCEV’s coming to market soon,  the question of whether hydrogen vehicles will revolutionise electric mobility is top of mind for many EV drivers who have already chosen the battery electric route. Rusty and Nadine explore both sides of the coin, discovering that there isn't a simple answer. To test the Hydrogen vs. Battery argument, they speak with David Dorall, CEO of electric...

Tesla can’t seem to escape the headlines, with supercharger woes taking the spotlight this month. But it’s not all bad news for the charging sector, according to Rusty and Nads, with Ford releasing a package that could entice those still on the fence . They discuss that and more in the news with producer Kelsey. Plus, Senior Editor Feann Torr is back to give us the latest on the EV market, includi...

If the batteries of tomorrow aren’t as lithium-dependent as they are today, can Australia still become the ‘critical minerals superpower’ it hopes to be as countries across the global electrification race take off? That’s the question Rusty and Nadine are on a mission to answer. To help them on their quest, they enlist the help of Dr. Veronika Wright, or as she’s better known - Electrified Veronik...

If sliding Tesla sales weren’t putting a bee under the bonnet of Tesla boss Elon Musk this month, then media organisation Reuters certainly did, publishing an article on the alleged axing of the Tesla 2 that Musk has since called a lie; and Nadine and Rusty don’t know what to think! Also in the news, why Tesla and Polestar dropped out of VFACTS reporting, and if EVs really deserve the notorious ti...

The trucking and logistics sector is perhaps the biggest piece of the decarbonisation puzzle, but can battery-electric deliver? Moves are being made by industry and government to make it happen but the answer is more complex than a yes or no. For Road Freight Engineer Rod Hannifey with 6 million kilometres under his belt, he tells Rusty and Nads exactly why that is… and he doesn’t hold back. One c...

Get your popcorn ready, as a heated debate has predictably erupted over the proposed fuel efficiency standards . But that’s not all Rusty and Nads have lined up for news; move over supercars, it’s time to make room for superVANS on Mount Panorama, because one electric van has just broken the fastest lap record . And that’s not the only van making waves in this episode. Hear from Bernie Wiley, Sust...

Our energy landscape is changing every day, from endless new chargers to batteries in trucks, those on the electric frontline are working hard to meet Net Zero by 2050. But are renewable sources still keeping up with demand, and as EV demand grows, will it in the future? In this episode, the team check in with Australia’s progress towards clean energy and explores why the race towards renewable wo...

Are Australia’s proposed ‘New Vehicle Efficiency Standards’ a double-edged sword? Nadine thinks so. The standards are perhaps the most important development in Australia’s journey to increasing EV uptake, and in this episode, Rusty and Nadine tell you what they think about the fine print. Also in news, find out why ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘EV Saboteur’ are being used in the same sentence, and the gangs tho...

It’s no secret that the biggest hurdle to EV ownership right now isn’t the range or charging time, but just how expensive they are. What if we told you that with some accounting magic, that unobtainable Tesla or Polestar might actually be within reach? In this episode, Rusty and Nadine give you the rundown on novated leasing, a nifty little workaround that allows you to pay off a car lease with yo...

EV sales in Australia surged by an impressive 161% in 2023, launching an inquiry into the transition but is it too little too late? According to Rusty, it might be, but Nads has her glass half full. Chatting news with producer Kelsey, the pair discuss whether BYD will end Tesla's reign , Stellantis’ investment in sodium-ion batteries, and we even get into a little karaoke thanks to one family's mi...

Whether you own an EV or not, everyone from EV enthusiasts to the EV-curious are congregating in communities to geek out about the latest tech and releases, bust some EV myths, and even fight off the odd troll or two. In this episode, Nads and Rusty are on a mission to find out what YOU’RE talking about in these ‘secret societies’, and the power in numbers when it comes to the EV community. Sarah...

2024 is the year of the EV according to Senior Editor Feann Torr, and he’s back to give us the low-down on what notable releases you can expect on the market. Affordability is on the agenda for Volvo with the EX30 , Jeep is staging a comeback with the Avenger , and Volkswagen will finally join the party with the launch of the ID4 ; although it won’t hit Aussie shores until a bit later. Producer Ke...

Regardless of whether you drive an EV or ICE vehicle, regular servicing is a must. But, as more batteries make their way onto the service roster, how is the automotive industry adapting to meet the specific needs of EVs? Will hand tools be replaced by a computer-science degree? Can your local garage handle both a battery check and an engine tune-up? Adam Pay, the director of mycar and a dedicated...

Is ‘cross-bow proof’ at the top of your new vehicle checklist? While Rusty and Nadine prioritise smell over arrows, this weeks news segment has them questioning the true meaning of durability, and whether the sleek interior of a Cybertruck is truly worth it. And if you were expecting to see progress on the Fuel Efficiency Standard by year-end, producer Kelsey has an update you will want to hear. c...

Public charging stations have given many EV drivers a headache, but will accessibility to battery juice be a concern for EVs of tomorrow? And what advantages does destination charging offer? In this episode, Rusty and Nadine are joined by Josh Hoevenaars, Business Manager at bp pulse, who crunches the numbers on the expected demand public infrastructure will face in the near future, and what they’...

Join us for the first Watt Report, where you'll get your fix of EV news, discover the latest models on the market, and hear from our Meet an EV-er Cassie, a young EV driver who recently took the plunge. Nadine, Rusty, and surprise guest Producer Kelsey break down the most exciting developments in EV news, including the unsung heroes who took on the Victorian Government's road-user charge and won! ...

Fully embracing an electric vehicle may feel like a daunting decision, but given your lifestyle, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid might be the perfect fit or stepping-stone. So, how do you make the right choice? In Season 2 of Watts Under the Bonnet, we're broadening our focus to encompass all aspects of the EV world, including Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids. To kick things off, Rusty and Nadine break-down...

It’s our first birthday so to celebrate, Rusty and Nadine re-visit some of our most thought-provoking topics and memorable guests. Returning to the show is Mark Tipping, our outback-exploring Tesla driver from episode 1 and Co-Founder of EDEA energy. He gives us the definitive answer on range anxiety and shares exciting developments made by his company… and it could be what puts Aussie battery inn...