Show Notes
This week on The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down the biggest EV news stories you need to know! Tesla officially unveils the long-awaited Model Y L in the U.S. with six seats, a longer wheelbase, and a premium Launch Edition—but is it worth the price? We also discuss massive Polestar discounts of up to $25,000, Ford's recall of more than 42,000 Mustang Mach-Es, Waymo's expansion into Las Vegas and three additional cities, rumors that Tesla could require Face ID to activate Full Self-Driving, and GM's recall and delivery stop for the Cadillac Vistiq. Join us as we separate the hype from reality and explain what these developments mean for EV buyers and owners.
More from EV Geek Podcast
🚨 Volkswagen is remotely limiting the charging capacity of more than 22,000 ID.4 electric SUVs in the US—and a potential battery fire risk is at the center of it all. Welcome to EV Geek Studios' Mini Charge! In this episode, Joel breaks down Volkswagen's latest recall affecting select 2023–2026 ID.4 models and the controversial over-the-air update that automatically limits maximum battery charging to 80%. Why is VW taking this approach? What does it mean for owners who paid for the full range of their EV? And should automakers be able to remotely change vehicle settings in the name of safety? In this episode, we cover: ⚡ Volkswagen's recall affecting 22,524 ID.4 vehicles. 🔥 The battery overheating and fire risks associated with charging above 80%. 📱 How Volkswagen's remote charging restriction works through the myVW app. 🔋 The ongoing investigation into battery cells supplied by SK Battery America. 🚗 What losing access to 20% of your battery capacity could mean for road trips and daily driving. 🛠️ Volkswagen's search for a permanent fix and what affected owners might expect next. We also discuss the bigger questions this recall raises about EV ownership, over-the-air updates, and the balance between vehicle safety and owner control. ID.4 OWNERS: Would you accept the 80% charging limit or decline the setting and manage your charging yourself? Join the conversation and let us know what you think. If you enjoy EV news, electric vehicle reviews, industry analysis, and conversations about the future of transportation, follow EV Geek Studios and The Friday Charge on Spotify. Thanks for listening—and until next time, stay charged and stay geeky!
🚀 Tesla’s new Roadster is back, and the claims are absolutely wild! Tesla’s next-generation Roadster promises performance that sounds like science fiction: a claimed 0–60 mph time of under one second, SpaceX-inspired cold gas thrusters, an onboard compressed-air system, and a projected driving range of up to 620 miles. But there's a catch—and it could be the biggest story of the entire reveal. On this episode of The Friday Charge from EV Geek Studios, we're breaking down Tesla’s latest Roadster announcement and exploring whether this futuristic electric supercar can live up to the hype. ⚡ In this episode, we discuss:
EV Charging Hits a Major Milestone, Ford's New Electric Truck Waitlist Opens, and the VW ID.Buzz Could Be Making a Comeback! It's another big week in the EV world! America's fast-charging network has officially surpassed 80,000 ports, Ford is preparing for its upcoming affordable electric pickup, Slate opens its first physical showroom, and Volkswagen's next-generation ID.Buzz is starting to sound more likely than ever. In this episode, we're breaking down the biggest electric vehicle stories and what they mean for the future of EVs. 🔋 IN THIS EPISODE: ⚡ America's EV Charging Network Passes 80,000 PortsThe latest Paren report reveals 80,964 DC fast-charging ports across the US. We look at Tesla's continued expansion, IONNA's rapid growth, Walmart's charging rollout, faster charging speeds, rising charging prices, utilization rates, and nationwide reliability. 🚙 Slate Opens Its First Brick-and-Mortar StoreSlate has opened its first retail location in Chicago inside a former Tesla showroom. The location gives potential customers and fleet buyers a chance to see the upcoming vehicle in person and take a test ride. 🛻 Ford Opens the Waitlist for Its Affordable Fathom PickupFord is letting interested buyers sign up for invitations to preorder its upcoming electric pickup when preorders begin in 2027. With a targeted starting price under $30,000, an LFP structural battery pack, BlueCruise, Apple Maps, and bidirectional charging, could this be an EV worth waiting for? 🚐 Volkswagen's Next-Generation ID.Buzz Could Be ComingRemember when we discussed VW delaying the ID.Buzz's US return? New comments from the 2026 Paris Auto Show suggest the company is actively developing a next-generation model. We discuss the new SSP platform, the possibility of an LFP battery, lower production costs, updated styling, and the return of physical buttons. Which of these stories matters most for the future of electric vehicles? Is America's charging infrastructure finally catching up? Could Ford's affordable pickup change the EV market? And would you buy a next-generation ID.Buzz? Let us know in the comments! 👍 Like the video if you enjoy EV news and analysis.💬 Subscribe for more electric vehicle news, reviews, industry trends, and deep dives.
The U.S. EV market is changing fast! ⚡ After a turbulent year, electric vehicle sales bounced back in Q3 2026—but the winners and losers might surprise you. In this episode of Shift & Signal, we break down the latest Cox Automotive and Kelley Blue Book data to uncover what's really happening in America's electric vehicle market. EV sales climbed 7.7% quarter over quarter, market share rebounded to 6.5%, and some automakers are gaining serious momentum while others struggle to keep up. 🚗 In this episode, we cover:
Volkswagen is replacing the ID.4 with an all-new electric SUV, and it brings back one of VW’s most recognizable names: the ID. Tiguan! 🚙⚡ In this episode of EV Geek Studios, we break down the new design, upgraded interior, physical buttons, battery options, driving range, performance, and what this new electric SUV could mean for American EV buyers. Can the ID. Tiguan compete with the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Kia EV6? And will Volkswagen finally deliver the electric SUV buyers have been waiting for? Would you choose the new VW ID. Tiguan over a Tesla Model Y? Let us know in the comments! Like the video, subscribe to EV Geek Studios, and turn on notifications for the latest EV news, reviews, and analysis.