Show Notes
Americans might finally be changing their minds about electric vehicles. ⚡🚗 Despite EV market share being down this year, the latest HERE-SBD EV Index reveals something surprising: 53% of surveyed drivers say they are more open to buying an EV than they were a year ago. In this episode of The Friday Charge, we break down the numbers behind that shift—including the impact of gas prices, improving charging infrastructure, faster charging, increased range, and growing confidence in EVs as a practical purchase. We also discuss another delay for Stellantis' EREVs, including the Jeep Wagoneer EREV and Ram 1500 REV, Volvo discontinuing the EX40 in the U.S., and why the upcoming EX60 and rumored EX50 could reshape Volvo's EV lineup. Plus, new European data raises a major question about plug-in hybrids: Are PHEVs actually producing far more emissions than their official ratings suggest? With real-world emissions reportedly reaching six times their certified levels, we look at why owners aren't charging their PHEVs and how the EU plans to respond. 📺 Subscribe to EV Geek Studios for EV news, reviews, industry analysis, and deep dives every week. 👍 Like the video, drop your thoughts in the comments, and let us know: Are you more interested in buying an EV today than you were a year ago?
More from EV Geek Podcast
Ford upgrades the 2027 Mustang Mach-E with a bigger standard battery and a brand-new Trail trim, while Tesla pushes its Unsupervised FSD timeline further into 2027. Plus, we dive into Lexus bringing DC fast charging to the NX plug-in hybrid, Mercedes' ridiculously powerful new AMG GT SUV, and GM's next-generation EV platform. It's another packed episode of The Friday Charge from EV Geek Studios! ⚡ IN THIS EPISODE: 🚙 2027 Ford Mustang Mach-E: A standard 88 kWh battery, a new Trail trim, and BlueCruise 1.5. 🤖 Tesla FSD & Cybercab: Unsupervised FSD moves to Q2 2027, while Cybercab deliveries could begin by the end of 2026. 🔌 Lexus NX PHEV: A bigger battery, 45 miles of electric range, and DC fast charging. 🏎️ Mercedes-AMG GT SUV: Up to 1,153 horsepower and claimed charging speeds of up to 710 kW. 🔋 GM's Next-Gen EV Platform: Better efficiency, lighter vehicles, new battery technology, and centralized computing. 👇 Which story interests you most? Let us know in the comments! 👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more EV news, reviews, and analysis from EV Geek Studios. 🎧 Listen to The Friday Charge wherever you get your podcasts!
🚨 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: