Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles

Description: In this episode of Kilowatt, we cover a wide range of developments from the EV world. Volkswagen is doubling down on solid-state battery tech with a $131 million investment in QuantumScape, bringing their total stake to nearly half a billion dollars. Over in China, the budget-friendly Geely Xingyuan has taken the crown as the best-selling car of the first half of 2025, outselling the BYD Seagull and Tesla Model Y. We also touch on Tesla’s massive $16.5 billion chip deal with Samsung, which will power their upcoming HW6. Plus, a massive real-world driver-assist system test in China involving 36 vehicles and 216 simulated crashes highlights the current limitations of Level 2 autonomy systems. And yes, a boar really does make a cameo. Support the Show: www.supportkilowatt.com [https://www.supportkilowatt.com/] Other Podcasts: * Beyond the Post YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthepostfm] * Beyond the Post Podcast [www,beyondthepost.fm] * Shuffle Playlist [https://shows.acast.com/shuffle-playlist] * 918Digital Website [www.918digital.com] News Links: * Volkswagen Is Pouring Millions More Into Solid-State Battery Development [https://insideevs.com/news/767046/powerco-volkswagen-quantumscape-solid-state-battery/] * This $10,000 EV outsold the BYD Seagull and Tesla Model Y [https://electrek.co/2025/07/29/10000-ev-outsold-byd-seagull-and-tesla-model-y/] * Tesla inks $16.5B deal with Samsung for HW6 chips, but still no HW3 solution [https://electrek.co/2025/07/28/tesla-inks-16-5b-deal-with-samsung-for-hw6-chips-but-still-no-hw3-solution/] * China’s massive ADAS test: 36 cars, 15 hazard scenarios, 216 crashes [https://carnewschina.com/2025/07/24/chinas-massive-adas-test-36-cars-15-hazard-scenarios-216-crashes/] * Chinese real-world self-driving test: 36 cars, 216 crashes, with Tesla on top [https://electrek.co/2025/07/26/a-chinese-real-world-self-driving-test-36-cars-216-crashes-with-tesla-on-top/] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt [http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Bodie dives into Tesla's Q2 2025 earnings call, offering real-time reactions and analysis. Elon Musk announced the successful launch and expansion of Tesla's Robotaxi service in Austin, with ambitious goals to reach half the U.S. population by year-end—pending regulatory approval. Bodie examines the feasibility of this rollout and critiques Elon’s commentary style during earnings calls. He also explores Tesla’s updates on full self-driving (FSD) capabilities, including growing adoption and plans for unsupervised FSD in certain jurisdictions. Additional highlights include Tesla Energy's record deployments, the Optimus humanoid robot roadmap, financial impacts of tariffs and regulatory changes, and the implications of Elon’s control over Tesla amid AI advancements. Bodie closes with reflections on Ozzy Osbourne and a teaser for an upcoming podcast season. Support the Show: * Support Kilowatt [https://www.supportkilowatt.com/] Other Podcasts: * Beyond the Post YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthepostfm] * Beyond the Post Podcast [https://www.beyondthepost.fm/] * Shuffle Playlist [https://shows.acast.com/shuffle-playlist] * 918Digital Website [https://918digital.com] News Links: * Tesla Q2 2025 Earnings Webcast & Deck [https://livestream.tesla.com/] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt [http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Kilowatt 621: Lamarr Wilson on EV Choices, Leasing Decisions, and Content Creation In this episode, content creator Lamarr Wilson joins us to talk about his decision-making process around EVs—specifically whether to stick with his leased Tesla Model Y, switch to the upcoming Juniper refresh, or jump ship to something entirely different like the BMW iX or the Mercedes-Benz EQB. We cover: * What Lamarr loves and doesn’t love about his Model Y * Why leasing might make more sense for creators * How BMW and Mercedes stack up as alternatives * The importance of price, tech, and comfort in real-world EV choices * Behind the scenes of Lamarr’s social media process Cars mentioned in this episode: * Tesla Model Y: https://www.tesla.com/modely [https://www.tesla.com/modely] * BMW iX xDrive50: https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/all-electric/ix/suv/electric.html [https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/all-electric/ix/suv/electric.html] * Mercedes-Benz EQB: https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/eqb/suv [https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/eqb/suv] Follow Lamarr Wilson: * Instagram: @lamarrwilson [https://instagram.com/lamarrwilson] * TikTok: @lamarrwilson [https://tiktok.com/@lamarrwilson] * YouTube: Lamarr Wilson [https://youtube.com/lamarrwilson] * Website: LamarrWilson.com [https://lamarrwilson.com/] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt [http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Description: In this episode, we dive deep into Uber's ambitious expansion into autonomous mobility and delivery services. The company is partnering with a host of tech innovators, including Cartken for robotic food delivery, Avride for mobility solutions, and May Mobility for scalable autonomous vehicles. Uber is also collaborating with Baidu and WeRide to accelerate self-driving deployments across numerous cities. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is contributing its ID. Buzz vehicles to Uber’s future robotaxi fleet, and Lucid is providing 20,000 Gravity SUVs outfitted with Nuro’s autonomous driver system. These strategic moves position Uber as a major player in the evolving landscape of urban transportation and robotic logistics. Support the Show www.supportkilowatt.com [https://www.supportkilowatt.com/] Mark's Links: * https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/04/uk-electric-car-sales-up-by-a-third-in-first-half-of-2025-preliminary-data-suggests [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/04/uk-electric-car-sales-up-by-a-third-in-first-half-of-2025-preliminary-data-suggests] * https://thedriven.io/2025/06/20/european-ev-sales-are-surging-ahead-despite-steep-declines-for-tesla/ [https://thedriven.io/2025/06/20/european-ev-sales-are-surging-ahead-despite-steep-declines-for-tesla/] News Links: * Uber Partners Cartken to Provide Six-wheeled Robots for Food Delivery [https://circuitdigest.com/news/uber-partners-cartken-to-provide-six-wheeled-robots-for-food-delivery] * Uber Scaling — Serve Robotics [https://www.serverobotics.com/uber-scaling] * Uber and Avride Announce Autonomous Delivery and Mobility Partnership [https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2024/Uber-and-Avride-Announce-Autonomous-Delivery-and-Mobility-Partnership/default.aspx] * Baidu and Uber Join Forces to Accelerate Autonomous Vehicle Deployment [https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2025/Baidu-and-Uber-Join-Forces-to-Accelerate-Autonomous-Vehicle-Deployment-2025-OfJR8lmv7m/default.aspx] * Volkswagen and Uber Launch Strategic Partnership for Autonomous ID. Buzz Vehicles [https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2025/Volkswagen-and-Uber-Launch-Long-Term-Strategic-Partnership-to-Deploy-Autonomous-ID--Buzz-Vehicles-on-the-Uber-Platform/default.aspx] * Uber and WeRide Expand Strategic Partnership to 15 More Cities [https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2025/Uber-and-WeRide-Expand-Strategic-Partnership-to-Bring-Autonomous-Vehicles-to-15-More-Cities/default.aspx] * Uber and May Mobility Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale Autonomous Vehicles [https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2025/Uber-and-May-Mobility-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Scale-Autonomous-Vehicles/default.aspx] * Volkswagen Unveils Robotaxi for Uber’s Los Angeles Fleet [https://fortune.com/2025/06/21/volkswagen-robotaxi-tesla-waymo-uber-los-angeles-zoox/] * Uber to Deploy 20,000 Lucid Gravity Robotaxis with Nuro Driver [https://electrek.co/2025/07/17/uber-20000-lucid-gravity-robotaxis-nuro-driver-next-year-video/] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt [http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 619: Tesla's Wild Rides, GM's Battery Gambit & EcoFlow's Home Backup Beast We dive into the latest headlines electrifying the EV and clean tech world. Tesla plans to offer FSD transfers in Europe, giving longtime owners a rare win. Robotaxi fares have reached new comedic heights as Tesla expands service areas. In India, Tesla launches the Model Y, but local pricing remains a significant barrier. GM ramps up production of affordable LFP batteries in Tennessee, aiming to bring down EV costs. Plus, EcoFlow unveils its Ocean Pro—a smart, scalable home battery backup system. We also check out Hyundai’s newly uncovered electric Staria minivan, and the Tesla Diner nears completion, looking like a scene from a retro-futuristic dream. Support the Show www.supportkilowatt.com [https://www.supportkilowatt.com/] Other Podcasts * 918Digital Website [https://www.918digital.com/] News Links: * Tesla Expected to Offer FSD Transfers in Europe [https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/2915/tesla-expected-to-offer-fsd-transfers-in-europe] * Tesla ups Robotaxi fare price to another comical figure with service area expansion [https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-ups-robotaxi-fare-price-another-comical-figure-service-area-expansion/] * Tesla launches in India with Model Y, showing pricing will be biggest challenge [https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-launches-india-model-y-showing-pricing-biggest-challenge/] * Grok AI has landed, here's what we know [https://insideevs.com/news/765676/tesla-grok-ai-launch-july/] * Elon will ask Tesla shareholders to vote on buying xAI [https://electrek.co/2025/07/13/musk-will-ask-tesla-shareholders-to-vote-on-bailout-for-twitter-xai/] * The 2026 Chevy Blazer EV starts under $45,000 [https://electrek.co/2025/07/14/2026-chevy-blazer-ev-still-starts-at-under-45000/] * GM gears up to build low-cost LFP EV batteries in Tennessee [https://electrek.co/2025/07/14/gm-low-cost-lfp-ev-batteries-tennessee/] * General Motors Is Going All-In On Affordable LFP Batteries [https://insideevs.com/news/765774/general-motors-lfp-battery-production/] * EcoFlow OCEAN Pro: A Smarter, Scalable Solar Battery For Whole-Home Backup [https://cleantechnica.com/2025/07/15/ecoflow-ocean-pro-a-smarter-scalable-solar-battery-for-whole-home-backup/] * Hyundai's new Staria EV electric minivan sheds its camo [https://electrek.co/2025/07/15/hyundais-new-staria-ev-electric-minivan-sheds-camo/] * The Tesla Diner is basically finished—here's what it looks like [https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-diner-basically-finished-looks/] * Elon says Tesla to have "the most epic demo ever" [https://electrek.co/2025/07/14/elon-musk-says-tesla-is-going-to-have-the-most-epic-demo-ever-but-we-heard-that-before/] * BYD will cover Level 4 Self Parking Repair Bill [https://insideevs.com/news/765330/byd-self-parking-guarantee-pay/] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt [http://supporter.acast.com/kilowatt]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.