Good morning to everyone except the one guy who roasted my mic flag in Vegas a few weeks ago. Let's get into it! Tesla drops a more wallet-friendly dual-motor Cybertruck base model at $59,990, complete with humble cloth seats and slightly dialed-back towing, yet it still promises a solid ~325-mile range. Elon teases that this “affordable” version is “only for the next 10 days,” leaving everyone wondering if it's a flash sale or just classic Musk mixed messaging sabotaging his own demand. Meanwhile, the Cyberbeast gets a $14k haircut to $99,990, Lucid slashes 12% of its U.S. workforce to chase better margins amid sluggish high-end EV sales (even with the sleek new Gravity Touring SUV dropping), and used non-Tesla EVs dip 3.6% in value while used Teslas buck the trend and climb 4.3%. Bottom line: if you're looking for a another ride right now, a used Model 3 or Y going for under $40K is a steal.

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Are you an OG fan of the show and wanna record an upcoming segment with me? Email me at [email protected] and tell me why : )

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Comedian Blake Wexler joins the show today to unpack the latest EV twists and turns and fair warning: you'll need a sense of humor and imagination for this one. This is *not* an in-depth industry analysis. First, Farley’s push for a new universal EV platform (UEV), is positioned as a bold effort to create efficient, affordable American EVs amid massive reported EV losses and industry pullbacks. Then, we mention the broader workforce stakes of Chinese EV makers like BYD and Geely planning U.S. factories, as well as the potential impact on nearly a million American jobs. Next, Toyota’s upcoming 2027 all-electric Highlander SUV is highlighted as a late but significant move away from gas and hybrid models, sparking a reflection on die-hard brand and team loyalty (exemplified by Philadelphia 76ers fans too?) And finally, we dig into Tesla’s Cybercab, a steering wheel–less, pedal–less autonomous vehicle raising questions about safety perceptions, design aesthetics, and how people might ease into trusting fully self-driving rides. The whole thing closes with plugs for Blake's upcoming Atlanta and Philadelphia tour dates, callbacks to glorious nicknames like "E train" and "Kid Streak," and the kind of unhinged loyalty usually reserved for Sixers fans who still believe next year is the year.

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Blake Wexler is a New York-based comedian who started doing stand-up at the age of 15 as a high school student in Philadelphia. In addition to writing for and appearing on Comedy Central & ABC, Blake also has been a featured performer in (too) many comedy festivals and can be regularly heard on The Cracked, Daily Zeitgeist & The Todd Glass Show podcasts. He is also the host of the gameshow LIES! for the Philadelphia Eagles. All four of Blake’s critically acclaimed stand-up comedy records debuted at #1 on the iTunes & Amazon comedy charts, and his album 12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass to Blake Wexler charted on Billboard.

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Follow Blake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakewexler

https://x.com/blakewexler

Website: https://www.blakewexler.com/

Tour Dates: https://www.blakewexler.com/live-dates

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Merch is here!

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Shop Men, Women and Kids Collections: https://evs4everyone-shop.fourthwall.com/

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In honor of Galentine's Day, I've assembled a powerhouse trio: Alycia Gilde (LA County’s decarbonization dynamo wrangling fleets for 10 million people), Rachael Nealer (Atlas Public Policy’s sharp-eyed analyst keeping tabs on clean energy wins), and Erika Myers (CharIN North America’s queen of charging standards). Erika drops the mic on those “EV slowdown” headlines while Rachael spotlights states flexing those NEVI funds beyond highway chargers. Then, Alycia spills the tea on her efforts to turn public agencies into zero-emission anchor buyers, battling duty cycles, range anxiety, and procurement drama with telematics and smart partnerships. If you're curious about where EVs are really headed, want optimism grounded in facts, or just love celebrating legendary women crushing it in a male-dominated field, hit play. You'll walk away informed, inspired, and probably smiling. Happy Galentine's Day, trailblazers!

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Alycia Gilde is Chief Strategy Officer for Climate Action Partnerships at Los Angeles County Internal Services Department where she forges strategic public-private partnerships to accelerate the County's Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) deployment goals and drives the decarbonization of municipal infrastructure through integrated energy and resiliency measures to help shape an equitable and sustainable future for 10 million residents.

Erika Myers is Executive Director at CharIN North America. CharIN is a leading global charging technology association dedicated to accelerating the electric vehicle transition through the adoption of universal open and interoperable charging standards. Erika guides CharIN's activities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, engaging with members, governments, and other stakeholders, and focusing on the use of open standards and interoperability for public infrastructure investments.

Rachael Nealer is a Director at Atlas Public Policy, where she provides strategic leadership and policy expertise to advance data-driven solutions for transportation electrification, climate policy, and infrastructure. She brings over a decade of experience spanning federal government leadership, academic research, and cross-sector collaboration to tackle complex energy and environmental challenges.

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Alycia and I wore matching shirts for this episode!

Shop the "Easily Distracted by Dogs and EVs" Women's V-Neck Tee

Get free shipping on all orders over $75 -> shop here

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Live from NADA in Las Vegas, Melinda Zabritski, Head of Financial Insights at Experian Automotive, confesses she finally caved and bought a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and discovered range anxiety is mostly just hype. Late model used EVs remain elusive unicorns, so budget conscious shoppers are forced to hunt older models or risk higher monthly payments. Prices spiked in 2021 and apparently decided to never drop back down; affordability is officially the villain we all love to hate. Off-lease volumes are still low right now, but they're warming up the engines for a 2027 flood when millions of vehicles (roughly a third EVs) will hit the market. Melinda's dealer PSA: quit shrugging at incentives and start mastering those state-level credits before you leave money on the table. EV sales may have cooled from their "tax credit deadline fever pitch," but they still dominate new leases. Sorry, “EVs are dead” headlines, you're just clickbait. Expect EV market share to settle in the mid-single digits for now, while hybrids and plug-ins quietly steal more market share. Tax credits and low lease deals have democratized EVs, letting lower-credit buyers slide into the driver's seat instead of just admiring from the curb. Melinda and I also share a laugh over Gen Z potentially dubbing a 2014 gas car "vintage," though Melinda insists most just want affordable wheels that still feel tech-forward. Tune in for an episode of EV insights and random ice bucket questions live from NADA 2026!

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How is your business competing in today’s market? Access the latest Experian analysis to find out.

Our review of the automotive finance market provides a detailed look into:

1. EV Market Growth
2. Rising Loan Amounts and Payments
3. Credit Score Trends
4. Delinquency and Balance Trends

Plus a look at deeper look at the used car financing market.

Download the report here

https://www.experian.com/automotive/automotive-credit-webinar

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Check out Experian's EV Resource Page for all things electric vehicle data

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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here

https://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone

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Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn

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Live from the Cox Automotive stage at NADA 2026 in Vegas, I teamed up with the dynamic duo: Pete Grupposo (SVP, Sales at Manheim + NextGear Capital) and Patrick Janes (AVP, vAuto Inventory Solutions) to dissect the tidal wave of off-lease BEVs crashing ashore this year. We're talking a jaw-dropping 185% surge, rocketing from modest numbers to roughly 300,000 units flooding the used EV scene. Yes, that's the kind of growth that makes even seasoned dealers do a double-take. We unpacked how this deluge is about to remix the entire used EV market, with tons of these freshly returned rides cruising through upstream wholesale channels instead of straight to retail lots. Dealers, take note: your sourcing playbook just got an electric upgrade. We also covered why the expired tax credits are ironically doing us a favor, finally bringing some crystal-clear pricing and real-world data to used EVs. Then there's the great dealer divide: the "EVs? Hard pass" crowd versus the ones building legit EV cultures and reaping the rewards. Spoiler: one side is probably sleeping better at night. Surprise hits in states like Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, where sub-$25,000 used EVs are quietly becoming the hottest ticket for budget-savvy buyers. Turns out, these cars deliver shockingly low ownership costs perfect for younger drivers or first-timers who want to plug in without selling a kidney. And don't sleep on the luxury used EV goldmine! Imagine snagging a BMW or Mercedes EV that once felt forever out of reach, now suddenly attainable. We dove into battery health scores as the ultimate trust-builder (because nothing kills range anxiety faster than hard numbers proving "your battery's still got game"). Oh, and yes... I couldn't resist dropping my weird new parody lyrics to "We Didn't Start the Fire" because nothing says 'serious industry panel' like electric-themed Billy Joel lyrics. Don't miss these 18 minutes of pure edu-tainment that you've come to expect from yours truly!

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This episode is sponsored by Cox Automotive. Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, vAuto®, Dealertrack®, NextGear Capital™, CentralDispatch® and FleetNet America®. To learn more, visit coxautoinc.com

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Live from the electric buzz of Formula E in Miami, I sat down with Brandon Baldassari, Head of Jaguar USA, for a no-holds-barred chat on why the Leaper is ditching gas for good. Jaguar isn't just dipping a paw into EVs, they're cannonballing in with a 100% electric future. We break down the design-first manifesto fueling their wild new 1,000HP four-door GT (yes, horsepower that high in a Jag), the upcoming EV SUV poised to rewrite the rulebook, and that billion-view Type 00 viral moment that had the internet simultaneously losing its mind and hitting refresh. And for the keyboard warriors typing "but reliability?" from their gas-guzzlers: Brandon drops real world receipts. Waymo's I-Pace fleet is casually clocking 150,000+ miles per car, proving Jaguar EVs can handle the daily grind (and then some). From keeping dealers engaged to keeping clients loyal during their "messy middle" era, Brandon's got the playbook and zero patience for doubters.

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Show note: After recording this episode, Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans took his first win of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the Miami E-Prix, climbing from ninth on the grid on a damp track to take a memorable victory. It marked Mitch's 15th career win in Formula E, all with Jaguar, meaning he’s now taken the most victories in the championship’s 11-year history. The Jaguar TCS Racing #9 driver also took the fastest lap at the Miami International Autodrome, confirming his peerless form in difficult conditions.

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Shop the "Sorry Officer, It Was the Instant Torque" Men's Tee

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Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn

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Matt Damon sets the tone for this episode while I throw on another hoodie and warm up my third cup of coffee. First up, essential cold-weather EV survival strategies, from preconditioning your battery while plugged in to prioritizing seat heaters over cabin blasting and making sure your tires are *inflated* to combat that dreaded 20-40% range loss in sub-zero temps. Have you heard? Tesla's groundbreaking launch of unsupervised Robotaxi rides in Austin as of January 22, 2026, where passengers are now hopping into fully autonomous Model Ys with no safety driver. Also, 2026 is shaping up as the ultimate year to snag a used EV, thanks to a massive wave of low-mileage lease returns flooding the market from 2023's tax-credit boom, driving prices down and making electric ownership more accessible than ever. And now, please enjoy the Rocky IV tune as I trudge through 13 inches of snow and ice.

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Merch is here!

Honest, stylish and perfect for all your "off duty" occasions.

Shop Men, Women and Kids Collections: https://evs4everyone-shop.fourthwall.com/

_______________________________

Connect with Elena:

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Official EV4E merch has dropped! (more deets at the 5:05 mark). In other news, Hyundai is finally waving goodbye to its ICE i10 hatchback after 18 years and 3.3 million units sold. In its place? The IONIQ 3, an affordable entry-level EV dropping in April 2026 with zero plans to grace U.S. shores just yet. Meanwhile, Ford's playing geopolitical chess by flirting with China's BYD for hybrid batteries destined for non-U.S. factories. The talks are non-binding for now, but the controversy's already brewing. Ford's CEO Jim Farley is also insisting the USMCA North American supply chain is non-negotiable for staying competitive. Ditch it, and car prices skyrocket while the industry takes a nosedive. (Trump's calling the whole deal “irrelevant,”) Up north, Canada's just dropped tariffs on Chinese EVs with a starter quota of 49,000 units. If sub-$26K EVs prove irresistible, will those limits quietly vanish?

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Merch is here!

Use code ELENA for 15% off your order from now until Friday, January 23, 2026.

https://evs4everyone-shop.fourthwall.com/

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Don't miss me at NADA for Cox Automotive's The EV Inflection: Sourcing Strategy Meets Retail Reality - West Hall

Thursday, Feb. 5 | 2:30 pm–2:50 pm

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Connect with Elena:

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Let's talk on X:

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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Mike Murphy, veteran Republican strategist and founder of EVs for America, proves you can love Detroit muscle, GOP grit, and EVs without short circuiting your identity. On today's episode, he shares eye opening polling showing Republicans' old "EVs are for tree-huggers" vibe has flipped from a +18 net agree to a -2 in just three years, a 20-point thaw. Yet Elon Musk remains the ultimate party-poisoner. Adored by 67% of Republicans as an EV ambassador, but overall trashed so badly that Tesla now lurks near the bottom among serious EV shoppers. Meanwhile, China's playing 4D chess by subsidizing EVs to oblivion, aiming to hollow out American and allied auto industries like a geopolitical termite.

**NOTE: Canada has just struck a major trade deal with China on January 16, 2026, slashing the previous 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles down to a 6.1% most-favored-nation rate, allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs (like affordable models from BYD) into the market annually with the quota set to rise to about 70,000 in five years in exchange for China cutting steep duties on key Canadian exports like canola. This marks a sharp break from the U.S.'s protectionist stance and aims to boost Canada's lagging EV sales (which tanked in 2025), spur potential Chinese investment in local auto production, though it's sparking backlash from figures like Ontario Premier Doug Ford over risks to domestic jobs and industry.

Meanwhile, Mike says it's time for defensive subsidies to keep our factories humming, and rightly so. California, where one in three U.S. EVs finds a home, emerges as the critical battleground, with Mike lobbying hard for a fresh $2,000–$4,000 credit (for first-timer EV buyers) and multifamily overnight charging to unlock the apartment-dweller market. He dismisses the "EV winter" doomscrolling as overblown and notes solid products like the bargain Nissan Leaf, Ford's cost-slaying next-gen platform, and GM's new battery tech will keep the momentum rolling. California listeners: consider this your bat signal and email your assembly members to back those credits and charging incentives, then swing by the American EV Jobs Alliance site to arm yourself with their advocacy tools and maybe even chip in? Mike and his team are out here doing great work, throw him a few shekels if you can!

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Check out: Fixing America’s Partisan Divide Over EVs: Tracking Three Years of Slow Progress

Connect with Mike Murphy on X, LinkedIn and listen to his podcast "Hacks on Tap"

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Connect with Elena:

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

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The internet was in a tizzy yesterday over Tesla's latest "love you but gotta pay monthly" move, so of course we gotta talk about it. Starting February 14th (Happy Valentine's Day!), Tesla is axing the one time $8,000 Full Self Driving (FSD) purchase. New buyers (and existing owners) now face the monthly glow-up: $99/month or $999/year. Existing owners who already purchased FSD outright? You're grandfathered in and can transfer it when you sell your car like a fancy heirloom. Tesla gets predictable recurring revenue to fuel those magical OTA updates, while the rest of us ponder if our cars are about to start charging us rent. At the same time, Bloomberg says "EV Winter Is Coming," and predicts 2026 EV sales growth to drop to a sleepy 12% (after 23% last year), with ~24.3 million passenger EVs expected worldwide. China's slashing subsidies, halving tax breaks, and telling everyone to chill on the price war. And the US? It's full-on "EV winter" mode, so you better go ahead and grab your puffer jacket.

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Rideable Suitcases by Chris Fleming

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Connect with Elena:

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