Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles

Kilowatt show notes Tesla has invited select customers to order a Cybercab for $29,990, with a required $299 monthly autonomy subscription and operation limited to supported Robotaxi zones. Bodie runs the numbers on what it might take for an owner to break even at 30 cents per paid rider mile, factoring in charging, tires, maintenance, and miles driven without a passenger. Then he plays selected clips from Lucid’s Q3 2026 earnings call, where CEO Silvio Napoli outlines the company’s plans to cut cash burn, improve service and quality, and get spending under control. The call covers a $1.75 billion credit increase from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, progress at Lucid’s Saudi factory, and plans for the midsize Cosmos and Earth. Bodie also looks at Lucid’s driver-assistance plans and the milestones its robotaxi partnership with Uber and Nuro has to clear before a planned Bay Area launch. Investor and analyst questions round out the episode with a closer look at Lucid’s liquidity, vehicle deliveries, and efforts to improve how it tracks inventory. Support the Show Other Podcasts Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website Publications Electrek News Links Tesla Cybercab orders open at $29,990 + $299/mo, only in Robotaxi zones Lucid Q3 2026 Earnings Call Webcast Lucid Group, Inc. Lucid Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results, Reduces Cash Consumption by 30%, Transformation on Track, Liquidity increased by $1.75 billion Lucid Group, Inc. Lucid Q3 2026 Earnings Release Presentation (PDF) Art by Dall-e Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tesla plans to wind down Cybertruck production, so Bodie goes back to the 2019 reveal to compare what Tesla promised on price, range, and towing with what buyers got when deliveries began in 2023. He traces the early surge in $100 deposits and revisits the two reservation figures that circulated before launch. He also covers the truck’s early fit-and-finish problems and engineering features like steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering. Bodie talks about how the Cybertruck became a political symbol and why he puts more weight on the price buyers faced and what it cost to finance the truck. He looks at Musk’s claim that the Cybertruck was profitable, what the shutdown could mean for buyers still waiting on orders, and what Tesla can carry forward from building it. Finally, he asks how quickly Tesla can put Cybercabs to work given local regulations, ride demand, and the economics of running a robotaxi fleet. Support the Show Other Podcasts: Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website Publications: Not a Tesla App Ars Technica TechCrunch InsideEVs Reuters The Verge Teslarati Electrek CleanTechnica News Links: Tesla Announces It Will Discontinue the Cybertruck No more Cybertrucks; Musk moves on from the angular metallic flop Deposits for Tesla Cybertruck hit $14.6 million Tesla Cybertruck Reservations Reportedly Reach 2 Million Tesla's Musk raises Cybertruck production concerns, reveals delivery date Good riddance, Cybertruck! Tesla Raises Cybertruck Prices, Pauses Base Trim Orders Tesla slims Cybertruck offerings to only its most expensive trim Tesla Cybertruck had its best month in over a year. It’s still going away Musk Says Cybertruck Is Profitable, Explains Cancellation Elon Musk keeps justifying Tesla Cybertruck’s cancelation, but it’s confusing Tesla Explains Why the Cybertruck Was Canceled, Will Increase Production to Clear Backlog You May Never Get Your Cybertruck; Tesla Says It Will Refund ‘a Lot of People’ Tesla Hasn’t Had A Successful New Product Launch Since JB Straubel Stepped Down As CTO Tesla upfitter offers to keep Cybertruck alive Elon Musk says Tesla Cybercab future is ‘obvious to anyone with eyes and a brain’ *Show Art Created By Dall-e Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Kubick of Maverick Corporation joins Bodie to discuss New York City’s plans to add 600 curbside charging points across all five boroughs over the next three years. The expansion brings Level 2 charging to more neighborhoods where drivers rely on street parking and lack a place to charge at home. David explains Maverick’s role in preparing the electrical and civil infrastructure, from investigating underground utilities to coordinating construction with city agencies and utility companies. They discuss how sidewalk access, traffic, weather, and site conditions affect installation schedules and costs. The conversation also covers planning for future equipment upgrades while limiting the need to reopen streets and sidewalks. David shares lessons for other municipalities, including involving project partners early and listening to the communities that will use the chargers. Support the Show Support Kilowatt My Podcasts Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website Guest Links David Kubick on LinkedIn Maverick Corporation Maverick EV Services Maverick Corporation Socials LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Maverick Electric Vehicle Services on LinkedIn Mentioned in This Episode NYC DOT Launches Expansion of Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging Across Five Boroughs, Solicits Public Feedback on Locations Special thanks to Jenny for coordinating the interview. Art created by Dall-e Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bodie covers fast charging at Hardee’s, Mark K from the UK shared list of UK-market EVs with more than 300 miles of range, and pricing and features for Ford’s upcoming Fathom electric pickup. Next is a look at U.S. electric pickup sales since 2024, including where the Cybertruck stands among its competitors. Tesla’s upcoming shareholder meeting rounds out the news with board elections, executive compensation, and the role of a non-binding shareholder vote. Then EV technician Obie joins Bodie for the debut of Obie’s EV Tech Tips, starting with winter tires and why the conversation goes beyond snow. They discuss rubber compounds, tread design, studs, and the differences between all-season, all-weather, and dedicated winter tires. The conversation also covers tire markings, seasonal tire changes, and why getting moving with all-wheel drive can give drivers more confidence than their stopping traction warrants. Support the Show Other Podcasts: Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website Publications: Electrek Move Electric Car and Driver Not a Tesla App News Links: Hardee’s gets EV fast charging – with Carl’s Jr. locations to follow Every electric car with a 300-mile range — Shared by Mark K. from the UK Ford Fathom EV pickup prices will range from $28,350 to the high $30Ks These Are the Bestselling Electric Pickup Trucks Tesla 2026 Shareholder Meeting: What’s on the Ballot Show Art Created By Dall-e Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bodie breaks down Rivian’s Q3 2026 earnings call, covering the R2 production ramp, delivery growth, and the company’s path toward improved automotive margins. The discussion includes upcoming lower-priced R2 variants, supplier constraints, and Rivian’s decision to position the R1 lineup further upmarket. Software and services revenue, the Volkswagen joint venture, growing demand for commercial vans, and a CFO transition round out the business updates. Autonomy takes center stage as Rivian outlines its supervised point-to-point driving plans, Uber partnership, and acquisition of Third Dimension AI to support simulation and development. Bodie also shares recent experiences with Tesla FSD and considers the value of paid driving assistance, subscription retention, and how autonomy pricing could evolve. Finally, the episode explores Rivian’s brand awareness challenges and whether features like its Ghostbusters Halloween mode can help introduce the company to a broader audience. Support the Show Support Kilowatt My Podcasts Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website Earnings Call Rivian Q3 2026 Earnings Call Webcast Art created by Grok and resized by Dall-E (Thanks Obie) Original artwork by Obi; adapted for this episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.