EV Geek Podcast

In today’s episode, we break down the latest updates on the new Tesla Cybertruck variant, what they mean for buyers, and whether the hype is finally meeting reality. We also dive into Waymo’s rapid expansion into new cities, what it signals for the future of autonomous driving, and how quickly robotaxis are becoming mainstream.

Plus, we cover the Volvo EX30 recall, what caused it, how serious it is for owners, and what this...

Headline: The era of the $100,000 "luxury toy" EV is ending. Meet the $30,000 "appliance" cars coming to save your wallet.

Description: As the global EV market hits the "Luxury Ceiling," a new breed of affordable, practical electric vehicles is emerging to win over the mass market. In today’s episode, we break down why legacy giants like Hyundai and Chevy are pivoting away from "flashy" and doubling down on "boring."

What we’re plu...

Is 2026 the year that defines Rivian?

With the launch and production ramp of the all-new Rivian R2, Rivian is projecting a major delivery surge — but this isn’t just about selling more vehicles. It’s about survival, scale, and proving the EV startup model can actually work long term.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why the R2 is Rivian’s most important vehicle ever

• How it compares to the Tesla Model Y

• Whether Rivian can i...

EV adoption headlines may sound mixed in 2026 — slowing growth rates, charging concerns, price wars — but the people who actually drive electric vehicles are sending a very different message.

According to new research from J.D. Power, 96% of EV owners say they would consider buying another electric vehicle, the highest satisfaction rate ever recorded.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why EV owner satisfaction is at record levels •...

Volvo has announced a global recall affecting more than 40,000 EX30 electric SUVs due to a potential battery overheating issue that could pose a fire risk. In this episode, we break down exactly what’s happening, why owners are being told to limit charging to 70%, and what this means for EV safety moving forward.

Is this a rare manufacturing defect — or a warning sign for the broader electric vehicle industry?

We dive into:

• What ...

In this February 20, 2026 episode of The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down Ford’s new Universal EV platform — including its upcoming compact electric pickup, structural LFP battery pack built in the U.S., 400V architecture, 48V electrical system, reduced part count, and software-defined vehicle strategy.

We also cover:

• Tesla avoiding a California DMV suspension after dropping the “Autopilot” name and rebran...

In 2025, global EV sales continued growing — topping 20 million units worldwide. But in the United States, the story was more complicated.

Hybrid vehicles gained market share, EV growth slowed after federal tax credits expired, and automakers began adjusting their electrification strategies.

In this episode, we break down the full 2025 data and explain:

• U.S. EV market share trends • Hybrid growth rates and why they held steady • ...

Hybrid sales are rising. EV growth has cooled in key markets. Automakers are adjusting strategy.

So… are hybrids actually winning right now?

In this episode, we break down the real market data behind the headlines and explain why hybrids are gaining momentum while EV growth looks different than it did a few years ago.

We cover:

• The latest global and U.S. EV sales trends

• Why hybrid vehicles are surging in market share

• Why ...

This week in electric vehicle news, we’ve got major announcements and fresh updates from Toyota, Rivian, and Tesla — plus a few surprise headlines you don’t want to miss.

⚡ Toyota Highlander EV Announced Toyota is officially bringing an electric version of one of America’s most popular family SUVs. We break down what we know about the Highlander EV, expected specs, platform details, pricing rumors, and how it could compete with the...

When shopping for an electric vehicle, most people focus on one thing: range. But the number on the window sticker rarely reflects how EVs actually work in daily life.

In this episode, we break down how much EV range you truly need, using real-world driving behavior, battery physics, charging realities, and environmental factors — not marketing hype.

We cover:

• Why most drivers dramatically overestimate their range needs

• How...

When shopping for an electric vehicle, most people focus on one number: range. But experienced EV owners tend to care about something else entirely — charging speed.

In this episode, we break down the real-world tradeoff between EV range and charging speed, and explain why bigger range numbers don’t always mean a better ownership experience.

We cover:

• How EV owners actually use their cars day to day

• Why road trips expose th...

When shopping for an electric vehicle, one number dominates the conversation: range. But that number doesn’t mean what most people think it does.

In this episode, we break down why EV range numbers are so often misunderstood, how real-world driving changes what you actually experience, and why range anxiety is usually caused by bad assumptions — not bad cars.

We cover:

• What EV range ratings really measure (and what they don’t...

The EV world is moving FAST and today we’re covering three huge stories you need to know about.

⚡ Tesla is launching a new Model Y variant — we break down what’s changing, what it could cost, and whether it’s worth waiting for.

🚫 China is reportedly moving toward banning flush door handles on vehicles. We explain why regulators are targeting them and what this could mean for future EV designs around the world.

💰 Toyota has releas...

Electric vehicle prices are falling fast — but cheaper EVs don’t come without trade-offs.

In this episode, we break down the less talked about downsides of falling EV prices, including how rapid price drops impact resale value, vehicle quality, charging infrastructure, and long-term ownership expectations.

We cover:

• Why used EV values are dropping faster than gas vehicles

• The hidden cost-cutting changes automakers make when...

EV prices are falling — but that creates a new problem for buyers: when is the right time to actually buy?

In this episode, we break down whether you should buy an electric vehicle now, or wait for prices to fall even further — and how to think about that decision without regret.

We cover:

• Why falling-price markets make buyers freeze

• The biggest mistake people make when trying to “time the bottom”

• When buying now actually...

EV prices are falling — and while that’s great news for buyers, it’s creating a brutal price war behind the scenes.

In this episode, we break down who can actually afford cheaper EVs, and why not every automaker is built to survive this phase of the market.

We explore:

• Why price wars are so dangerous in the EV industry

• How Tesla uses pricing as a strategic weapon

• Why legacy automakers like Ford and General Motors face str...

Electric vehicle prices are dropping — and not just through incentives or short-term discounts. Actual sticker prices are coming down across multiple brands at the same time.

In this episode, we break down why EV prices are falling right now, what changed behind the scenes, and why this moment feels sudden — even though it’s been building for years.

We explore:

• Why battery costs finally stopped being the biggest roadblock

• H...