Everything EV

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt and George dive into a packed week of electric car news, from Alfa Romeo’s long-awaited return to the family hatchback segment to another wave of Chinese investment in Europe.

Matt also shares his thoughts after a week with the Kia K4, prompting an unexpected discussion about whether modern EVs have made traditional petrol family cars feel a little… outdated.

The pair also debate the controversial new Lancia Gamma, the ongoing social media outrage surrounding Ferrari’s first EV, and what MG’s new European factory means for the future of electric cars on the continent.

• Kia K4 – Has living with EVs changed the way we think about conventional family cars?
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta returns – A new electric hatchback is coming and could be one of Stellantis’ most important launches
• Lancia Gamma revealed – Is this a worthy revival of a famous Italian nameplate?
• Ferrari Elettrica backlash – Why are people so angry about Ferrari’s first EV?
• MG returns to European production – New Spanish factory signals the next stage of China’s EV expansion
• The future of family hatchbacks – Why manufacturers are finally moving away from SUVs again

Alfa Romeo Giulietta returns, Ferrari EV backlash and MG’s European factory | Everything EV Podcast

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt and George tackle another packed week of electric car news - from Ferrari’s controversial EV debut to the possible return of one of the most iconic small cars ever made.

Matt shares his thoughts on the charming new Fiat Grande Panda, while the pair debate Ferrari’s bold new electric supercar and whether the backlash is completely overblown. There’s also discussion around Ford’s fresh European EV strategy, Polestar finally listening to customer complaints, and why Citroën’s reborn 2CV EV could be one of the most important affordable electric cars of the decade.

• Fiat Grande Panda review – Matt gets behind the wheel of Fiat’s cheerful new Renault 5 rival
• Ferrari Elettrica – Ferrari’s first EV sparks outrage… but does it deserve it?
• Citroën 2CV EV revival – The legendary French icon is returning as a low-cost electric car
• Ford’s European EV reboot – Fiesta and Focus replacements could be built with Renault tech
• Polestar brings back buttons – Has the Swedish EV brand finally admitted touchscreens went too far?
• Future affordable EVs – Why Europe’s next generation of small electric cars could change the market completely

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt and George explore some of the most exciting new developments in the electric car world — from compact urban EVs to the return of iconic performance badges.

The pair discuss the impressive new Hyundai Inster, Cupra’s upcoming electric hot hatch, and why the revival of the Volkswagen Polo GTI could signal a new era for small performance cars. They also dive into the growing influence of Chinese EV brands in Europe and what that means for legacy manufacturers.

As always, there’s plenty of debate around practicality, performance, affordability and whether some brands are finally starting to get EVs properly right.

Topics this week include:

• Hyundai Inster – Compact EV with big ambitions
• Cupra Raval – Spain’s answer to the electric hot hatch
• Volkswagen Polo GTI – Why the legendary badge still matters
• Chinese EV expansion – How brands from China are reshaping Europe’s EV market
• Affordable EVs – Why smaller, cheaper electric cars are becoming more important than ever

In this episode of the Everything EV Podcast, hosts Matt Allan and George East dive into the latest developments in the electric vehicle (EV) market, focusing on the emergence of electric BMW M cars, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, and the BYD Atto2.

Matt shares his experience with the Corsa Electric, highlighting its surprisingly competent performance despite its age and design. He discusses the car's range and practicality, while also noting its lack of excitement compared to other models.

George then shares his thoughts on the BYD Atto2, praising its build quality and efficiency, while also critiquing its infotainment system.

The conversation shifts to the upcoming electric BMW M3, which promises to deliver an impressive 1,000 horsepower with a quad-motor setup, and the hosts speculate on its driving dynamics and design.

Matt is back from the Brussels Motor Show, where he’s seen many of the most important electric cars set to shape the market over the next few years. In this episode of Everything EV, he and George break down the biggest EV reveals, debate the hits and misses of the show, and pick out their personal highlights.

From compact crossovers and stylish estates to rugged off-roaders and controversial design choices, Brussels delivered plenty to talk about — not all of it good.

Cars discussed this week include:

• Kia EV2 – Kia sets its sights on the Renault 4 with a compact, affordable crossover

• Zeekr 7GT – A technically impressive Chinese electric estate heading for the UK

• Mazda CX-6e – Can Mazda’s new electric SUV improve on the 6e saloon?

• Subaru E-Outback – A 375bhp, boxy, all-wheel-drive EV that stays true to Subaru’s roots

• Mercedes GLB Electric – A divisive design that leaves Matt reaching for the eye bleach

• Xpeng G7+ – A sharply styled electric saloon that could worry Tesla and BMW

In this special end-of-year episode, Matt and George look back at what’s been a genuinely strong year for new electric cars, with more variety than ever — from sub-£20k city cars to £200k grand tourers, plus a clear shift towards hot hatches, sensible family EVs, and more capable 4x4s.

They agree that 2025 marked a real turning point for the “affordable EV” story: the best new cars no longer feel cheap because they’re compromised — they’re simply well engineered, well packaged, and increasingly easy to live with.

Matt’s overall EV of the year is the Renault 5, praised as the complete package: stylish, practical enough, properly affordable, and crucially, a car that appeals both to nostalgic older buyers and younger drivers who just think it looks brilliant.

George’s top pick is the Skoda Elroq vRS, which he calls the perfect “grown-up fast EV” — quick, comfortable, composed, and usable without feeling like a try-hard performance car. It nails that Skoda vRS sweet spot: spice without aggression.

Matt also admits the updated Tesla Model Y deserves its place on the list, describing it as Tesla’s most complete car yet — better built, more refined, and finally feeling as solid as rivals. He still can’t stand the stripped-back interior, but says the drivetrain, charging ecosystem and real-world range are simply hard to argue with.

A big talking point is how much strong EV progress came from brands people don’t always associate with electric excellence. The Citroën ë-C3 gets major praise for being shockingly comfortable, simple to use, and outstanding value — especially once the EV grant pushes it under £20k.

They also celebrate Nissan’s return to relevance with the new Leaf, which blends usability and normality with much more modern range and efficiency — helping bring Nissan “back into the EV game”. The Micra also makes the cut, even if it’s “basically a Renault 5” underneath — because borrowing from the best is no bad thing, and it gives Nissan loyalists a strong, familiar route into EVs.

On the performance side, George rates the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce as one of the year’s best drives — flawed, not especially efficient, but properly engaging and proof that Stellantis can build genuinely fun EVs. Kia’s EV4 also earns its place as the “electric Golf-shaped” car many buyers actually want: spacious, sensible, easy, and quietly brilliant.

And for something totally different, Matt highlights the Munro M280, a niche but hugely impressive Scottish-built off-road EV designed to be a rugged work tool for forestry, utilities and remote industrial use — a reminder that electrification isn’t just about family SUVs and hot hatches.

Across the list, the theme is clear: EVs are becoming easier, cheaper and more varied, without sacrificing range or quality. Whether you want something fun, sensible, luxurious or purely functional, 2025 proved the EV market is finally broad enough to feel… normal.

In this special episode of Everything EV, Matt and George look ahead to the biggest and most important electric cars arriving in 2026 — and why the next 12 months could be a turning point for the industry.

From the revival of legendary city cars to the reinvention of a British icon, plus hot hatches, compact SUVs and rugged family wagons, the pair break down which new EVs really matter — and which ones could reshape the market.

They discuss whether Renault can recapture lightning in a bottle with the new Twingo, if Cupra’s Raval could be the electric hot hatch we’ve been waiting for, and why BMW’s next-generation i3 might be the most important EV of the decade. There’s also debate over Jaguar’s controversial Type 00, Alpine’s performance ambitions, Subaru’s electric Outback, and whether Kia can continue its remarkable EV winning streak.

Cars discussed include:

• Renault Twingo

• Cupra Raval

• BMW i3 (Neue Klasse)

• Kia EV2

• Jaguar Type 00

• Honda Super-N

• Peugeot e-208 GTI

• Smart #2

• Subaru e-Outback

• Alpine A39

Matt puts the MGS6 EV through its paces this week — MG’s bold new electric SUV and a direct challenger to the Skoda Enyaq. He and George also take a look at some seriously muscular new EVs, including the Porsche Cayenne Electric, the 641bhp Jeep Recon, and the UK-bound Denza Z from BYD’s ultra-premium brand.

Balancing the madness, the pair explore the Nio Firefly, a far more sensible compact hatch that could be the next big rival to the Renault 5. There’s also news of another £1.3bn going into the Electric Car Grant — but is the money being spent in the right place?

In this week’s episode of the Everything EV Podcast, Matt is joined by Richard — standing in for George, who has swapped Skoda chat for a holiday (and, inevitably, a Skoda museum).

The pair dive into the latest EV news, including a major blow for London EV drivers, the return of Mitsubishi, Peugeot’s wild new concept car, and possibly the rebirth of TVR.

Matt and Richard also discuss the congestion charge shake-up, explore whether Mitsubishi’s comeback model will succeed, debate Peugeot’s radical Polygon concept, and look at what an electric TVR could become under new ownership. Plus, hear from Zap EV CEO David McIntyre on how the future of e-mobility may belong to scooters as much as cars.

Topics this week:

Congestion Charge U-turn — EV exemptions in London disappear next year

Mitsubishi returns — New Eclipse Cross EV teased for 2025

Peugeot Polygon concept — The car that previews the next electric 208

TVR revival? — Fresh ownership & hints of electrification

Zap EV interview — David McIntyre on the future of scooters and micromobility

Genesis GV70 Electrified — Richard’s first impressions after switching from an Audi e-tron

In this special episode, George East sits down with Mark Andrews, journalist and author of Driving the Dragon, for a deep dive into the astonishing rise of the Chinese EV industry.

Having lived in China for nearly 20 years, Mark offers rare, on-the-ground insight into how brands such as BYD, Geely, NIO and XPeng went from small domestic start-ups to world-beating electric vehicle giants.

He explains the unique conditions that fuelled China’s EV boom, how manufacturers keep prices so low, the looming threat to European legacy carmakers — and the risks facing China’s own domestic brands as global competition intensifies.

A must-listen episode for anyone interested in the geopolitics, economics and technology shaping the future of electric mobility.