InsideEVs Plugged-In Podcast - Electric Vehicle News

Patrick just got back from IAA Mobility, Europe’s biggest auto show. We run through the expo’s biggest EV reveals, including the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ technology. Both are next-gen efforts with 400 miles of range, super-fast charging and way better tech than before.  But are they enough to stand up to the flood of Chinese cars hitting Europe? BYD, GAC, Xpeng, CATL and more had major announcements at the show, proving that these Chinese firms aren’t messing around.  In Plus/Minus, we recap Patrick’s Polestar 5 drive and chat about solid-state batteries.  The New BMW iX3 Gets On Rivian And Tesla's Level To Battle China's EVs https://insideevs.com/news/771106/bmw-ix3-preview-video-iaa-munich/  2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC EV: A 440-Mile Electric Do-Over With 'Multi-Agent' AI https://insideevs.com/news/771403/mercedes-glc-ev-reveal/  Volkswagen Is Finally Headed In The Right Direction https://insideevs.com/features/771608/volkswagen-headed-in-the-right-direction/  'This Model Does Not Work Anymore': Volkswagen Group CEO Gets Candid On EVs And Future Plans https://insideevs.com/news/771546/volkswagen-ceo-blume-interview-iaa-munich/  'This Is Game-Changing': BYD Brings EV Production, Megawatt Charging To Europe https://insideevs.com/news/771756/byd-iaa-megawatt-europe-seal/  New CATL EV Battery Tech Lasts 600,000 Miles, Charges In 10 Minutes https://insideevs.com/news/771621/catl-lfp-battery-charging-degradation/  First Drive: The Polestar 5 Isn't Just A Porsche Taycan Fighter. It's Even More Interesting https://insideevs.com/reviews/770315/polestar-5-first-drive-prototytpe/  This New Solid-State EV Battery Charges Quicker Than Getting Gas https://insideevs.com/news/771520/rimac-solid-state-battery-specs/  A Solid-State Battery Mercedes EQS Went 749 Miles On A Charge. It Still Had Range Left https://insideevs.com/news/771682/mercedes-eqs-solid-state-range-over-700-miles/  Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Tesla’s “Master Plan Part IV” dropped this week, filled with vague notions about “sustainable abundance” and lacking the concrete goals of Tesla’s prior mission statements. Patrick and Tim break down what it says about Tesla right now—and whether the X post was written by Grok. Then, they discuss August’s EV surge, led by GM and fueled by expiring tax credits. Plus, InsideEVs Staff Writer Kevin Williams joins the show to talk about his tour of Slate Auto’s upcoming factory and his chat with its CCO. In Plus/Minus, the guys gas up Audi’s stunning electric concept car. Tesla's New 'Master Plan 4' Puts EVs On The Backburner https://insideevs.com/news/770810/tesla-master-plan-part-4/ Tesla Master Plan 4 Teases Possible Cybervan, Cyber-SUV https://insideevs.com/news/770897/tesla-cybertruck-additional-designs-leaked/ General Motors Knows Its EV Party Won't Last https://insideevs.com/news/770950/gm-ev-sales-record-august/ Slate Says Some People Will Still Get Its Truck For Under $20,000. Here's How https://insideevs.com/news/770963/slate-truck-state-tax-incentive/ Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Another day, another car company scaling back plans for the future. But is that the right move? On today’s show, Patrick and Tim discuss the news that Stellantis is shelving its hands-off, eyes-off driver assistance program. The company has been a laggard on EVs, but it’s also dealing with a lot of other problems right now. Plus, Porsche is scrapping plans to manufacture its own EV batteries as demand for electric cars slumps. And it’s not the only one. Stick around for Patrick’s chat with longtime auto journalist Dave Undercoffler. Dave is now the editor-in-chief at Autolist and head of consumer insights at CarGurus, and he has a ton of interesting insights into the car market these days and how to get a great deal on an EV. Further reading: Stellantis shelves L3 plans; Porsche cancels battery manufacturing Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

This week, we sit down for a fascinating conversation with Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. RJ takes us back to the startup's origins in 2009 and talks about what he’s working on next, like the R2, R3, R4 and R5. He breaks down how AI is revolutionizing self-driving technology and explains where he sees battery tech going next. We chat about the looming threat of Chinese EVs, why America needs more great electric cars that aren't Teslas and how policy shifts will reshape the U.S. EV landscape for years to come. Further Reading: Rivian CEO On What’s Holding Back EVs In The U.S., Rivian R2 Live Deep-Dive Impressions: It's Going To Be A Hit, Rivian, Lucid And Slate Face A Tough Road Ahead Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

This week, Ford announced its next "Model T moment"—a whole new assembly process and "universal EV platform" that it promises will revolutionize the industry. Staff Writer Suvrat Kothari traveled to Kentucky for the reveal, and the boys discuss his findings, including everything we know about Ford's upcoming $30,000 EV truck. Next, Tim and Patrick talk about EV adoption rates around the world, and how they compare to the U.S. And finally, America's federal EV charging program is BACK! Patrick and Tim break down what that means for this critical industry. Further reading: Ford's $30k EV Bet & the "Model T" Moment to Revolutionize Manufacturing, EV Public Charging is Finally Working Like it Should, America's Federal EV Charger Funding Isn't Dead After All   Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Summer is hot, and so are the tariffs and supply chain hang-ups, baby! Patrick and Tim discuss how the unique challenges facing EV upstarts Lucid, Rivian and Slate in the Trumpian era of tariffs. They then preview Ford’s big announcement set for Monday in Louisville, where the automaker is supposed to show off a new EV and EV platform combo described as a “Model T moment.” Finally, is Elon Musk worth $30 billion just to stay “focused” on Tesla? Our hosts dig in. Further reading: Rivian, Lucid, and Slate Face a Tough Road Ahead, What’s Going on with Lucid Gravity Production?, Ford to Unveil its “Model T Moment” on August 11th, Tesla’s $243M Autopilot Crash Verdict, A Chevy Silverado EV goes over 1000 Miles on a Single Charge, Volvo Sales are Spiraling. Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick and Tim talk about one area of the EV world that isn’t slowing down: fast charging. The U.S. is adding chargers at a record pace this year, despite the end of the EV tax credit and other headwinds. Then they unpack the EPA’s controversial proposal to axe its “endangerment finding” on climate change. Will getting rid of greenhouse gas emission rules for cars and trucks actually create more consumer choice in America? Finally, the guys dig into the future of hands-free driver assistance systems, which are now the most in-demand feature among car buyers. In Plus/Minus, Patrick and Tim chat about electric school buses and what’s going right at Tesla these days.

Patrick and Tim start the show with the latest from General Motors’ earnings. EV sales are up across brands like Cadillac, but profits are down thanks to Trump’s tariffs. Then they recap Tesla’s Q2 earnings. They debate whether Tesla’s upcoming cheaper car—which Elon Musk just admitted is “just a Model Y”—is enough to turn things around. Finally, they chat about semi-solid-state batteries from China, Tesla’s awesome new diner-themed Supercharger and why Mercedes is pulling its EQ cars from the U.S. market. Further reading: GM’s U.S. EV sales doubled in Q2, Tesla’s brutal earnings, Elon Musk says Tesla’s cheaper car is the Model Y, Affordable cars are getting solid-state batteries now, Mercedes will pause production of EQ EVs for America, Tesla’s retro diner opens in Hollywood. Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

This week, Tim and guest host Suvrat break down Lucid’s entry into the robotaxi space. Uber agreed to invest $300 million into the EV startup and buy 20,000 of its Gravity SUVs. Then the guys recap a ton of battery news that dropped this week, including GM’s new LFP plant and why it matters. Finally, Tim sits down with Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive, to unpack a rocky quarter for EV sales in the U.S. Tesla is way down, GM is way up, and everybody else is somewhere in the middle. Further reading: Lucid teams up with Uber and Nuro for robotaxis, Panasonic opens a huge battery plant in Kansas, GM goes all-in on affordable LFP batteries, and GM and Redwood Materials sign a deal to reuse EV batteries. Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick and Tim talk about the fallout of the EV tax credit ending for one particular automaker: Slate. The new startup planned to sell its bare-bones electric pickup for under $20,000 after federal incentives starting in 2026. So what’s next for this company? Then the guys recap InsideEVs’ recent talk with Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe, who had some harsh words for the legacy auto industry and its stance on EVs. Finally, they discuss used electric cars and why you probably shouldn’t worry about buying one with high mileage. Battery degradation just isn’t that big an issue, studies suggest. Further reading: End of the EV tax credit hits the $20,000 Slate truck, Rivian CEO says automakers just want EVs to “go away,” RSEV study on battery degradation, comparison of a high-mileage and low-mileage Tesla Model 3 Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

We’re off for the July 4 holiday, so we’re bringing you a very exciting interview about this moment in EVs, recorded June 27. Our guest this week is Ben Prochazka, the Executive Director of the Electrification Coalition, a nonprofit organization working to accelerate transportation decarbonization in the United States. Ben helps break down the state of EV adoption in America, the increasing politicization of electric cars, the policy landscape that’s currently under threat, the importance of electrifying America’s commercial fleets and a whole lot more. We also talk about what's going right in the EV space and reasons to be optimistic. Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick and Tim kick things off by recapping Tesla’s biggest news in years: The Robotaxi is finally here. Kind of. They share what they think about Tesla’s autonomous taxi pilot so far and the big questions Tesla still needs to answer.  Then they explain why Ford’s LFP battery plant is caught up in controversy—and why bringing LFP battery production to America is so critical. Finally, the guys talk about America’s cheapest EVs and Patrick’s new least favorite car. Further reading: Tesla Robotaxi first impressions; Ford’s LFP plant takes shape, the Chevy Equinox EV is our EV of 2024. Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

The new Nissan Leaf has been announced, and it's something completely different. Patrick and Tim discuss how it could be a game-changer in the world of affordable EVs, and whether or not it can turn things around for Nissan after a very rocky year. Next, Congress is getting closer to passing a version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and the boys consider what that will mean for the EV tax credit. Finally, Ferrari is postponing their second EV, and Patrick and Tim try to figure out why they should care. In Plus/Minus, it's a double positive with Waymo applying to operated in the Big Apple and the Kia EV4 coming right around the corner!  Further reading: Nissan Leaf First Look, Waymo is coming to the Big Apple, Congress is killing the EV Tax Credit Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick and Tim discuss the war of words between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. They debate whether the dust up actually matters for Tesla’s business and explain how badly Musk’s foray into politics has backfired. Then the guys talk about Tesla’s robotaxi launch, which we now know is happening on June 22. Maybe. Finally, they share their thoughts on the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and why it may be the best all-around EV you can buy right now. In Plus/Minus, they discuss a promising new EV from BMW and a plan to tax EV owners $500 per year. Further reading: The Trump/Musk conflict, everything we know about the Tesla Robotaxi launch, Tim’s review of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Tim is on vacation this week so InsideEVs' Kevin Williams is back to talk about more of the EVs he tested in China. Most notably: China's best-selling car, the BYD Seagull, which starts around $8,000. It's headed to Europe and other places soon, and Kevin discusses how it drives—and why it's a game-changer. Plus, Patrick and Kevin test a plug-in hybrid that may be the future of plug-in hybrids. Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick finally got to drive his dream cheap EV and, well, he wasn’t impressed. The guys talk about the Volvo EX30 and how it keeps getting slammed by tariffs. Then they share their predictions and questions about the Tesla robotaxi’s launch, which is coming up in June. Finally, General Motors is investing big time in V8 engines. Patrick and Tim explain why that matters. During Plus/Minus, they explain how to reserve a new electric DeLorean by buying crypto. Yes, really. Further reading: Bloomberg on the Tesla robotaxi launching June 12, General Motors ditches EV motor plan for V8s, and the Volvo EX30 can’t catch a break. Sign up for the InsideEVs newsletter and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick and Tim kick off the show by discussing Toyota’s hybrid-only 2026 Toyota RAV4 and why it’s so huge for getting people into electrified vehicles. They recap Elon Musk’s media tour this week and fact-check his claim that Tesla sales are seeing a major rebound. They also dive into a brand reputation poll that did not turn out great for the EV brand. Finally, the guys explain why America’s EV industry is headed for a slowdown thanks to Trump’s tax bill and other policies. Further reading: The 2026 RAV4 Hybrid Bloomberg Interview with Elon Musk Axios brand reputation poll Congress Sledgehammers The EV Industry

Tim and colleague Suvrat Kothari kick things off by discussing Suvrat's trip to General Motors' battery development center in Michigan. They explain why GM's new LMR batteries could be the key to cheaper electric trucks. Then the guys recap the House's latest move to end the $7,500 tax credit and talk the huge potential impact on the EV industry. Finally, they discuss Toyota's onslaught of new electric models and a very strange tweet from the head of the EPA. Further reading: GM's new batteries, why cutting the leasing credit would break the EV market, and our coverage of the Toyota bZ, bZ Woodland and C-HR.  Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick and Tim start the show by discussing the potential demise of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. They explain what that means for electric car sales and manufacturing jobs in America. Then the guys talk more about Patrick's mind-blowing trip to China. They're joined by InsideEVs Staff Writer Kevin Williams, a Chinese-car expert who helps break down the country's most exciting EV brands. Patrick and Kevin recap driving cars like the shockingly nice, $10,000 BYD Seagull and the luxurious Nio ET9. Further reading: Bloomberg story on the EV tax credit, REPEAT Project analysis on the EV tax credit, Kevin's story on dead Chinese car brands, and Patrick's megawatt charging experience and video Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

Patrick just got back from the Shanghai auto show and he's MAD at how behind America's EVs are. He tells Tim all about experiencing China's dominant EVs for the first time, how they compare to Tesla, and why American automakers and consumers are basically screwed. The guys also discuss the big news of the week. They explain why it's such a big deal that Tesla's board initiated a search for a CEO to replace Elon Musk, according to The Wall Street Journal. Plus, they talk about why Waymo is teaming up with Toyota to develop self-driving cars. Further reading on the Shanghai Auto Show, and the Waymo-Toyota partnership, and Tesla's search for a new CEO.  Sign up for the daily InsideEVs newsletter. Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X