Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Kilowatt, I cover Tesla's Q3 2026 earnings call, including updates on Full Self-Driving, Robotaxi, CyberCab, Optimus, and Tesla's energy business. Elon Musk discusses Tesla's plans to increase vehicle production to five million annually by 2030, expand autonomous driving into additional markets, and ramp up Megapack production. I take a closer look at Tesla's Robotaxi expansion plans, including the company's goal of reaching 30 cents per paid mile and what that could mean for owners hoping to earn money by putting their vehicles on the network. We also get updates on Optimus, including manufacturing challenges, AI training, improvements to the robot's hands, and Tesla's timeline for delivering robots to outside customers. Tesla executives share new information about FSD subscriptions, future unsupervised driving capabilities, and plans to expand CyberCab availability beyond Austin. Along the way, I discuss Tesla's ambitious timelines, the importance of actual Robotaxi fleet numbers, and why I'd like to see more transparency around FSD subscription retention.

Support the Show

Other Podcasts:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Kilowatt, I revisit my comments about whether Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) should be free and clarify why my issue isn't with Tesla charging for the technology, but with Elon Musk's messaging about the potential loss of life if regulators don't approve it. I also respond to listener feedback, discuss Tesla's safety claims, and explain why I'd like to see more independent verification of FSD's safety data.

After subscribing to FSD for $99 a month, I share my experiences with versions 12.6 and 14.3 Lite while driving around Phoenix and Tucson. While FSD has improved significantly since I last used it, I've encountered some frustrating behavior, including questionable highway routing, unnecessary detours, and a tendency to linger in semi-truck blind spots. I also discuss where FSD works well, how it compares to Rivian's driver-assistance technology, and why I don't think it's worth $99 a month for my driving needs.

Finally, I share my experience riding in one of Waymo's new Ojai autonomous vehicles, including its spacious interior, sliding doors, and how the ride compares to Waymo's Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.

Support the Show

Other Podcasts:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tesla finally unveiled its updated Roadster on October 15, nearly nine years after its original announcement, and the event featured some remarkable demonstrations of engineering. In this episode, we compare the new Roadster with the version Tesla promised in 2017, including changes to its design, performance, range, and production timeline. We break down the vehicle's different configurations, from the standard rear-wheel-drive model to the Rocket version equipped with cold-gas thrusters capable of launching the car into the air. We also explore the technology behind its ground-effect suction fans, the Venturi effect, and how that same principle has been used in firefighting equipment. Beyond the demonstrations, we discuss Tesla's collaboration with SpaceX, speculation about a potential merger, and what the Roadster's development means for the company's future. Finally, we examine the reservation agreement, refundable deposits, uncertain pricing, and what customers who reserved a Roadster back in 2017 might expect as Tesla targets production in 2028.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kim Lundgren of Kim Lundgren Associates returns to Kilowatt to talk about electric vehicles, sustainability, and why going 100% electric isn't always the best approach. Kim starts by sharing how she chose a Hyundai IONIQ 5 for her teenage daughter's first car, comparing it with Volvo's electric offerings and explaining why charging, technology, safety, and long-term reliability influenced her decision. The conversation then shifts to municipal fleets and whether cities should be pushing to electrify every vehicle, including fire trucks, garbage trucks, and public works equipment. Kim explains why a more practical approach, replacing vehicles as needed and prioritizing applications where electric vehicles make sense, can be more effective than an all-or-nothing strategy. Bodie and Kim also discuss extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), fleet maintenance, infrastructure costs, and the challenges of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Kim shares her One Big Thing approach to climate action, encouraging people to make meaningful changes when it's time to replace a vehicle or home equipment. And toward the end, Bodie discovers that something he's believed about the ozone layer and global warming since childhood isn't quite what he thought.

Support the Show

Other Podcasts:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Volkswagen is recalling more than 22,000 ID.4s over a potential battery fire risk, while Einride has deployed fully autonomous electric trucks in Ohio. Rivian is getting into the Halloween spirit with a Ghostbusters-themed software update, complete with a special Ecto-1-inspired R1S, and BYD has filed a patent for a new battery cooling system that submerges battery modules in a specialized liquid. In Tesla news, the company has officially adopted the name "Dumb Summon" for its original Summon feature as part of a broader rebranding effort in Europe. Tesla has also renamed Full Self-Driving to Tesla Assisted Driving following discussions with German regulators, who are now supporting the company's push for broader European approval. A Reuters investigation examines Tesla's campaign to pressure European regulators and raises questions about the safety evidence supporting its claims. The episode closes with a personal discussion about Tesla's argument that delaying FSD approval could cost lives, and whether a company making that claim should charge customers for the technology.

Click Here to Support the Show

Other Podcasts:

EV News

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Affordable EVs are back in the spotlight with the Kia EV3, which starts under $30,000 and offers up to 321 miles of range with its larger battery pack. The show also looks at the updated Pebble Flow electric travel trailer, with its 45 kWh battery, expanded solar setup, powered wheels, and a price tag that puts all that camping convenience firmly into luxury territory. Jaguar takes things in a completely different direction with the Type 01, a four-seat electric GT packing more than 1,000 horsepower, a claimed 400 miles of range, and a design that feels equal parts retro and futuristic. Tesla's Q3 2026 production and delivery numbers are also in, with strong Model 3 and Model Y deliveries alongside much smaller numbers from the rest of the lineup. Tesla is expanding Powershare Home Backup to new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles when paired with a Powerwall 3, giving owners another source of backup power during an outage. Finally, Tesla adds an Emergency Drive Away feature for Supercharging situations and passes another charging milestone with more than 85,000 Supercharger stalls across 9,000 locations worldwide.

Support the Show

Other Podcasts:

EV News

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bodie checks in from the Big Island of Hawaii with a couple of unexpected connections, including a visit to Kona Sea Salt and an introduction to Root & Rise Hawaiʻi, an organization using nature, art, and community to support mental health and well-being. Then it’s an all-renewable-energy episode, starting with what happens to solar panels when they reach the end of their useful lives and why recycling them is still an economic challenge. Sweden is preparing for a future where tens of thousands of metric tons of solar panels could be retired every year, while researchers and recyclers look for better ways to recover valuable materials and give usable panels a second life. Bodie also looks at free software that can estimate how many solar panels will fit on a rooftop using photos or roof plans. Finally, a community solar project in Illinois shows how high-density mounting systems can squeeze significantly more solar generation onto difficult, irregular pieces of land. It’s a look at some of the less flashy problems renewable energy has to solve as solar continues to scale.

Support the Show

Other Podcasts:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Kilowatt, Bodie starts with Europe’s first fully driverless robotaxi rides as Verne and Pony.ai put modified Arcfox Alpha T5s on the streets of Zagreb. ProLogium is moving its solid-state battery technology closer to automotive use, with Gen 3.5 cells in mass production and Mercedes-Benz securing priority access to its upcoming Gen 4 cells. Cyclic Materials has opened a new rare-earth recycling facility in Mesa, Arizona, while VinFast has turned its VF Wild pickup concept into an extended-range EV with around 155 miles of battery-only range.

On the Tesla side, FSD v14.2 Lite is beginning to reach Hardware 3 Model S and Model X vehicles. Tesla has also built its first Cybercab using cathode active material produced at Giga Texas as the company continues bringing more of its battery manufacturing in-house. Tesla is working with Irish authorities on FSD approval while an EU-wide decision has been pushed back, and Optimus production has reportedly climbed to several hundred robots per week while manufacturing and general-purpose capability remain works in progress.

Beyond the Post Podcast

Shuffle Playlist

918Digital Website

Bodie joined Sarah Lane to talk about the surprisingly complicated technology packed into modern fire trucks.

Fire Truck Tech: It’s Complicated - Live With It - Podcast

Fire Truck Tech: It's Complicated - Live With It - YouTube

Electrek

Not a Tesla App

Electrek: Mercedes-Benz Gets First Dibs on ProLogium’s Gen4 Solid-State EV Battery Cells

Electrek: A New Arizona Plant Is Going After the Rare Earth Supply Crunch

Electrek: Trucks Gone Wild! VinFast Launches VF Wild EREV Pickup

Not a Tesla App: Tesla Builds First Cybercab Using In-House Battery Materials

Not a Tesla App: Tesla in Talks for FSD Approval in Ireland as EU Delays Vote

Electrek: Tesla Ramps Optimus to Hundreds a Week, but the Robots Can’t Generalize

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I recorded an entire episode about what I thought was Tesla’s 2026 Semi event. It turns out I had watched the earlier event, so I’m releasing both recordings. In the first episode, I cover Tesla’s presentation of the truck, including its drivetrain, range demonstration, charging system, driver features, and delivery to Pepsi. In the second, I cover the actual 2026 event and the changes Tesla says it made after getting feedback from fleets and drivers. That includes updated efficiency figures, a redesigned thermal system, changes inside the cab, service plans, and the Megacharger rollout. Together, the episodes let us hear what Tesla was saying then and what it reported in 2026.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.