Episodi

  • 279: At What Price

    279: At What Price
    Jul 16 2026

    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 tax, EV battery recycling is a difficult business, and more.

    SHOW NOTES

    UK to implement mileage tax for EVs starting in 2028: https://www.electrive.com/2026/07/14/uk-confirms-mileage-based-ev-tax-from-2028/

    TWC Podcast Episode 153, Death, Taxes, and EVs: https://www.thewattcar.com/2024/01/twc-podcast-153-death-taxes-and-evs.html

    EV battery recycling is not very profitable for scrap yards: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/13/nx-s1-5847025/ev-battery-recycling-economics

    Rivian ECV dominating commercial EV van sales: https://insideevs.com/news/801568/rivian-van-best-selling-q2-2026/

    Slate offering licensed Crayola wraps: https://www.thedrive.com/news/slate-knows-that-gray-is-boring-so-its-launching-with-legit-crayola-wraps

    Think the Slate is cheap? Be careful with the options sheet: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71856215/slate-truck-options-pricing-over-45k/

    Small but mighty, Telo tows a Pebble trailer: https://electrek.co/2026/07/14/pebble-flow-telo-mt1-electric-truck-tow/

    U.S. surpasses 250,000 charging point milestone: https://www.cars.com/articles/the-u-s-surpassed-250000-ev-charging-ports-is-it-enough-2-527011/

    This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez

    Episode art courtesy Slate

    Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay

    Website: https://www.thewattcar.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    1 ora e 1 min
  • 278: Danger Valley

    278: Danger Valley
    Jul 9 2026
    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 podcast on YouTube. Subscribe to the audio version on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, or wherever top-quality podcasts are served. SHOW NOTESLucid offers 0% interest financing for 72 months on Gravity: https://eletric-vehicles.com/lucid/lucid-extends-0-apr-to-72-months-on-unsold-2026-gravity-stock/ Polestar blowing out inventory at fire-sale prices: https://insideevs.com/news/800504/polestar-3-deals-banned-america/ U.S. finally gets Tesla Model Y L: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2027-tesla-model-y-l-debut-first-look.html Tom Moloughney tests the Rivian R2’s highway range: https://insideevs.com/news/800671/rivian-r2-70-mph-highway-range-test/ Bentley’s new electric SUV gets a name: Torcal: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71810312/bentley-torcal-ev-suv-revealed/ Fiat promises Topolino for U.S., teases Multiplina (4-passenger): https://www.jalopnik.com/2205725/new-fiat-muxltiplina-cutest-way-unlicensed-teens/ McMurtry unveils street-going Spéirling Pure: https://www.electrive.com/2026/07/07/mcmurtry-unveils-production-version-of-its-electric-racing-car-speirling-pure/ Is Windrose the next Nikola?: https://www.theautopian.com/teslas-main-semi-truck-competitor-allegedly-owes-employees-money-and-somehow-lost-one-of-its-huge-trucks-wall-street-journal/ Ferrari introduces a fake manual, in an ICE V12: https://www.motor1.com/news/800497/how-does-ferraris-manual-transmission-work/ This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. SanchezEpisode art courtesy LucidMusic courtesy Twisterium at PixabayWebsite: https://www.thewattcar.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    1 ora e 7 min
  • 277: The Sacrificial Lamb

    277: The Sacrificial Lamb
    Jul 2 2026

    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, and more.

    Subscribe to the audio version of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, or wherever else top-quality podcasts are served.

    SHOW NOTES
    Polestar exits US market: https://www.thedrive.com/news/polestar-is-done-selling-new-cars-in-the-us

    Tesla rolls out FSD v14 “lite” to HW3: https://electrek.co/2026/06/29/tesla-fsd-v14-lite-hw3-rollout/

    VW reportedly cutting losses with Bosch over autonomous driving software not achieving goals: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-plans-end-automated-driving-tie-up-with-bosch-bild-reports-2026-06-28/

    DOT proposes elimination of the brake pedal for fully autonomous vehicles: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/25/trump-admin-proposes-axing-brake-pedal-requirement-for-avs-in-a-boost-for-tesla/

    Shell shows prototype with dielectric fluid battery: https://www.autoblog.com/news/shell-built-an-ev-that-uses-half-the-carbon-of-todays-electric-cars

    Ferrari marketing chief “leaves” company following Luce launch: https://electrek.co/2026/06/23/ferrari-replaces-marketing-chief-luce-ev-backlash/

    Ferrari Luce sells out in China: https://www.autoblog.com/news/ferraris-first-ev-got-roasted-online-then-sold-out-in-china

    This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
    Episode art courtesy Polestar
    Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
    Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

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    58 min
  • 276: The Human Touch

    276: The Human Touch
    Jun 25 2026
    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, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.SHOW NOTESHyundai reveals Ioniq V at Beijing Auto Show: https://carnewschina.com/2026/06/15/hyundai-ioniq-v-fastback-revealed-66-8-kwh-battery-and-620-km-range/ Hyundai’s global R&D chief says next-gen N EVs will be better at faking ICE cars: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/hyundai-developing-even-more-realistic-electric-n-cars Hyundai pays $325 million for remaining 10% stake in Boston Dynamics: https://www.gadgetreview.com/softbank-walks-away-from-boston-dynamics-for-325-million-hands-hyundai-the-keys GM fires 1,000 factory workers and replaces them with robots: https://www.autoblog.com/news/gm-cut-1000-workers-at-its-ev-plant-then-added-robots Deathwatch? Lucid lays off 18% of staff: https://electrek.co/2026/06/22/lucid-lays-off-18-percent-second-cut-four-months/ Lucid lays off COO Marc Winterhoff (who was interim CEO) and is eliminating COO position: https://eletric-vehicles.com/lucid/lucid-coo-exit-ends-undisclosed-eight-year-relationship/ Jeep Recon is a huge electron-guzzler: https://insideevs.com/news/799088/2026-jeep-recon-epa-range-efficiency/ RIP Speedwagons: Porsche drops Taycan Cross and Sport Turismo from US lineup: https://www.theautopian.com/porsche-just-killed-the-beautiful-taycan-wagon-lets-see-how-cheap-we-can-find-a-used-one/ This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. SanchezEpisode art courtesy Boston DynamicsMusic courtesy Twisterium at PixabayWebsite: https://www.thewattcar.comBuy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/storeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    57 min
  • 275: A Lot of Rivian

    275: A Lot of Rivian
    Jun 18 2026

    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, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

    Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

    SHOW NOTES
    BMW unveils M Concept Neue Klasse: https://www.motor1.com/news/798518/bmw-electric-m3-concept/

    Tesla Cybercab specs revealed in EPA docs: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71590701/tesla-cybercab-specs-epa-documents-revealed/

    Telo claims it has secured a supplier for the MT1’s “Body-in-White”: https://insideevs.com/news/798776/telo-mt1-production-update-partnership/

    In an interview with The Drive, RJ Scaringe says R3 and R3X will enter production by the end of the decade:
    https://www.thedrive.com/news/r2-profits-r4-is-very-cool-rad-variants-rivians-ceo-just-gave-us-the-roadmap

    CalTrans orders 524 more Rivian R1s for its fleet: https://www.electrive.com/2026/06/15/caltrans-orders-524-additional-evs-from-rivian/

    Rivian R2 drops traditional radio tuning for all-streaming audio: https://www.carscoops.com/2026/06/rivian-r2-fm-radio/

    This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
    Episode art courtesy Rivian
    Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
    Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
    Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    59 min
  • 274: Wipe the Slate Clean

    274: Wipe the Slate Clean
    Jun 11 2026
    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 crystal ball to see whether Ford is about to wipe the slate clean. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.SHOW NOTESFerrari Design Team designs an HP laptop: https://www.tweaktown.com/news/112095/hps-new-limited-edition-ferrari-laptop-is-made-from-carbon-fiber-and-glass/index.htmlRivian R2 first drive review roundup: https://electrek.co/2026/06/09/rivian-r2-first-drive-this-is-everything-i-need-to-upgrade-my-model-y-except/ https://insideevs.com/reviews/798129/rivian-r2-first-drive-review/ https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a71483800/2027-rivian-r2-drive/ https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2027-rivian-r2-first-drive-review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8ii1R5aAMM Carvana could become the de facto nationwide franchisee for Slate: https://electrek.co/2026/06/05/carvanas-bet-on-slate-is-actually-a-bet-on-itself-as-the-future-of-automotive-retail/ Slate has amassed 150,000 (refundable) preorders to date: https://insideevs.com/reviews/786896/slate-ev-pickup-truck-everything-we-know/ Telo: https://www.telotrucks.com/ Stellantis attempting to sell Charger Daytona in Europe: https://insideevs.com/news/798063/dodge-charger-daytona-ev-gas-europe/ This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. SanchezEpisode art courtesy SlateMusic courtesy Twisterium at PixabayWebsite: https://www.thewattcar.comBuy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/storeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    47 min
  • 273: Superiority Complex

    273: Superiority Complex
    Jun 4 2026

    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 Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

    Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

    SHOW NOTES
    Jason Camissa says “Gasoline is far too precious a resource to be wasted on those who are not enjoying the act of combusting it”: https://youtu.be/l74of0u_RBE?si=mNNC1yGoxh6PoHj6&t=612

    Lotus recommits to ICE development: https://www.motor1.com/news/797272/lotus-thought-electric-vehicles-future/

    Rolls-Royce Spectre gets more range, power, NACS port: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71473034/2027-rolls-royce-spectre-details/

    Rivian R2 matches Tesla Model Y Performance on EPA test despite boxier profile, heavier weight: https://electrek.co/2026/05/29/rivian-r2-epa-efficiency-matches-tesla-model-y/

    GM shows Hummer X midsize pickup & SUV concepts, says “No plans for production”: https://insideevs.com/news/797175/gmc-hummer-x-suv-pickup-midsize-concept/

    This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
    Episode art courtesy Rolls-Royce
    Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
    Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
    Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    52 min
  • 272: Ferrari's Apple Car

    272: Ferrari's Apple Car
    May 28 2026

    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 Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

    Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

    SHOW NOTES
    Ferrari Luce unveiled: https://electrek.co/2026/05/25/ferrari-luce-first-electric-ferrari-hands-on-rome-launch/

    Lucid takes back Jason Fenske’s (Engineering Explained) Lucid Air under Lemon Law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrz1LXNm9cI

    The Citroën 2CV is coming back, as an EV: https://insideevs.com/news/796705/citroen-2cv-back-as-ev/

    VinFast Unveils second-gen VF8 in Vietnam. Smaller, lower-cost: https://insideevs.com/news/796859/vinfast-vf8-new-generation-2025-specs/

    Toyota study says (its) PHEV drivers plug in regularly: https://electriccarsreport.com/2026/05/do-plug-in-hybrids-really-work-toyota-study-says-yes/

    Man in Grapevine, TX, drives his Cybertruck into a lake to use “Wade Mode” … gets stuck … and arrested.
    https://abc7news.com/post/driver-intentionally-drove-cybertruck-lake-use-vehicles-wade-mode-police-say/19138612/

    This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
    Episode art courtesy Ferrari
    Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
    Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
    Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
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    50 min