InsideEVs Plugged-In Podcast

This week, we recognize the very best EVs of 2025. The InsideEVs Breakthrough Awards just dropped, and we discuss the pros and cons of each Editors’ Choice pick: the Cadillac Optiq, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Lucid Gravity and Nissan Leaf.  Plus we debate Ford’s epic EV strategy shift. Was cancelling the F-150 Lightning a good idea? And Patrick recaps his drive in the Mercedes-Benz CLA, one of the hottest EVs launching soon.  Read all out Breakthrough Awards stories here:  Cadillac Optiq: https://insideevs.com/features/781838/cadillac-optiq-luxury-value-breakthrough-finalist/  Tesla Model Y: https://insideevs.com/features/782023/tesla-model-y-2025-breaktrhough/  Lucid Gravity: https://insideevs.com/features/782036/lucid-gravity-breakthrough-awards-2026/  Hyundai Ioniq 5: https://insideevs.com/features/781195/hyundai-ioniq-5-breakthrough-awards/  Nissan Leaf: https://insideevs.com/features/781873/nissan-leaf-breakthrough-ev-of-the-year/  Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

It's a big news week for Rivian! The EV startup announces that the new $45,000 R2 will get lidar, a big step forward for more affordable autonomy. Plus, it gets an in-car AI assistant, and other tweaks are coming to the R1S and R1T. Then Rivian's head of AI, James Philbin, explains how this all works to Patrick and Tim, as if they were children.

Bust out those skinny jeans because Donald Trump is taking fuel economy rules back to 2013. This week, Patrick and Tim explain why the rollback of CAFE standards won’t actually make your car cheaper. Tim recaps his time in the extremely impressive BMW iX3, and the guys discuss whether it can succeed in the EV slowdown of 2026.  Then Tim speaks with John Harris, cofounder and CEO of Harbinger Motors, about the future of commercial EVs and what automakers are getting wrong about electric cars.  We Drove The BMW iX3: It's BMW's Best Electric Car Ever  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtrIehnDwE  Trump Promises To Make Cars Cheaper, By Making You Pay More For Gas https://insideevs.com/news/780761/trump-fuel-efficiency-standards-rollback/ 

This week, Patrick and Tim break down two big electric debuts: the Porsche Cayenne EV and Jeep Recon. Can an electric sibling to the Wrangler be a hit—even with only 250 miles of range?  Plus, they recap some new research about EV battery health and explain why you shouldn’t worry about replacing the battery in a new EV. And the driverless car space is moving faster than ever, with news this week from Waymo, Zoox and Tesla.  In Plus/Minus, the guys debate whether Tesla should add Apple CarPlay and explain why it’s such a big deal that Xiaomi’s EVs are profitable after less than two years.  Watch our Porsche Cayenne Electric first look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00lgxIK0DvI The 2026 Jeep Recon Is The Off-Road EV We’ve Been Waiting For https://insideevs.com/news/779196/2026-jeep-recon-ev-offroad-stellantis/  San Francisco's Latest Robotaxi Has No Steering Wheel Or Pedals. Yes, Really https://insideevs.com/news/779322/zoox-san-francisco-robotaxi-launch-public-rides/  Most Automakers Lose Money on EVs. How Is Xiaomi Turning a Profit Already? https://insideevs.com/news/779416/xiaomi-profit-toyota-tesla-xai/  The Facts Are In: You Shouldn't Worry About EV Battery Replacements https://insideevs.com/news/779210/ev-battery-replacements-data-tesla/  Tesla May Add CarPlay. Here's Why It's A Smart Move https://insideevs.com/news/778894/tesla-adding-carplay-bloomberg-report/ Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X

This week, Tim is joined by InsideEVs Deputy Editor Mack Hogan. They discuss why there’s way too much capacity to build EV batteries, and what happens next. Tim spent a day with the folks at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies and shares an update on how that joint venture is going. Plus, leaders of Tesla’s Model Y and Cybertruck programs just quit, right after Elon Musk got his $1 trillion pay package.  We Built Too Many EV Battery Factories. Here's What Happens Next https://insideevs.com/news/778532/battery-capacity-outpacing-demand/  The Rivian-Volkswagen Partnership Will Go Even Further Than We Expected https://insideevs.com/news/778750/rivian-volkswagen-joint-venture-strong-progress-evs/ The Tesla Cybertruck And Model Y Bosses Both Just Quit https://insideevs.com/news/778529/tesla-cybertruck-model-y-executives-exit/ Elon Musk Isn't Going Anywhere https://insideevs.com/news/778231/tesla-shareholder-vote-elon-musk/  Check out InsideEVs for the latest future of transportation news and find us online: Instagram Threads YouTube BlueSky X