The EVs for Everyone Podcast

Your car can change long after it leaves the showroom, but who controls those updates, and how far should automakers go? Steve Bell, Chief Analyst of Automotive Connectivity at Omdia Automotive is back on the show today to explore the promise and pitfalls of SDV (software-defined vehicles), from in-car ads to the race to reinvent how cars are built, updated, and paid for.

We talk about Tesla’s first-principles approach, China’s rapid rise and nearly 700 new models, and the tangled software and electronics inside today’s cars. Steve explains what it takes to move from traditional, hardware-led vehicles toward centralized computing, OTAs (over-the-air updates), and a shared framework for measuring a vehicle’s digital maturity.

We also dig into the challenges behind faster software cycles: how automakers can maintain safety and certification as vehicles are updated over many years, and how digital twins can support development, cybersecurity, and predictive maintenance. Then we get into the business side: in-car advertising, customer trust, and whether automakers can move beyond one-time sales toward new leasing and ownership models that make vehicles more affordable and create value throughout their lives.

And finally, I asked Steve which automakers are getting it right. His answer may surprise you!

The shift to software-defined vehicles is about more than better software, it could change who builds cars, how we own them, and what they’re worth over time. Steve’s perspective makes clear that the winners won’t just ship updates faster; they’ll earn drivers’ trust and keep delivering value long after the car leaves the showroom.

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Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

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https://evs4everyone.com/

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

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Who’s Really Buying EVs? The Data and the Marketing Moves That Matter. BEV sales are down YoY, hybrids are gaining ground, and a new wave of affordable models could bring different buyers into the market. Today, Kirsten von Busch, Director of Product Marketing at Experian Automotive, is back on the show to explore who those buyers are and how marketers can reach them effectively. In Q2 of this year, BEV sales fell 21%, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids grew to 20% of retail registrations. Even with BEV share down, electrified vehicles overall still make up just under 30% of the market.

Then we get into what’s behind the shift: changing incentives, affordability, and the choices buyers make when it’s time for their next vehicle. EV owners show strong loyalty (72.2% replace their EV with another one) while 46.9% of PHEV owners move back to gas. We also look ahead to more affordable models like the all-new 2027 Chevy Bolt, Kia EV3, and Nissan Leaf, and ask the billion dollar question: can they help bring new buyers into the BEV market?

We talked EV competition, too. Hyundai and Chevy are emerging as leading non-Tesla brands, while models like the Ioniq 5, Equinox EV, Mustang Mach-E, and Honda Prologue are making moves. And for marketers focused on used EVs, Gen Z is a key audience: they account for nearly 15% of used EV buyers. Kirsten shares why relevant, interest-based messaging and channels like connected TV, display, and video can help brands reach them.

And last but not least, we get into pet-friendly marketing ideas and finally settle on Bear’s Halloween costume this year. Spoiler alert: it’s not “the Dogfather.” Find the full Automotive Consumer Trends and Analysis (Q2 2026) report below and join Kirsten and I at Used Car Week in San Diego on Wednesday, November 18, at 2 PM, for more EV trends!

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🔗 Want the full story in data form? We pulled the highlights, but you’ll want the details:

Experian’s Q2 2026 EV insights show electrified vehicles continue to gain traction, with SUVs, Millennials, and Gen X consumers driving demand while EV owner loyalty remains strong.

• EVs accounted for 8.21% of new retail registrations, while electrified vehicles represented 29.05% of all new retail registrations.
• More than 1 million new EVs were registered in the last 12 months.
• SUVs dominated EV purchases, making up 77.47% of new EV registrations.
• Tesla remained the market leader, while Hyundai advanced to the #2 EV brand position.
• Millennials and Gen X consumers drove nearly 68% of new EV registrations.
• EV owners continued to demonstrate strong loyalty, with 72.2% replacing their EV with another EV.

Download the full report here

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Used Car Week in San Diego | Wednesday November 18th at 2 pm

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Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn

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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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Before you hit play, I’m gonna need you to buckle up for the emotional roller coaster that is America’s EV whiplash. Reuters auto correspondent Nora Eckert is back on the show today to talk about her special report on how Trump’s EV retreat collided with Biden’s push, derailing billions in promised investment and turning the “Battery Belt” from big dreams into delayed plants, retooled factories, and workers left in limbo. Nora and I talked about delayed timelines in Kentucky and Tennessee, gas pickups coming back into the spotlight, the (now dissolved) BlueOval SK joint venture between Ford and SK in Glendale and the massive pivot to energy storage that still might not have the demand to match the hype. We also get into the human side: families who moved for jobs that vanished, workers who blame the EV push rather than Trump, and the lingering question of whether America is handing the future of EVs to China and Europe. In a moment when America could either double down on gas trucks or fight for leadership in EVs, this story shows what’s really happening on the ground. If you care where the next generation of auto jobs, innovation, and investment land, you need to hear this conversation.

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Read the full article here: How Trump’s war on EVs derailed America’s auto-factory revival

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Connect with Nora on LinkedIn

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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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Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

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

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If you’ve tried to buy a cheap used car lately and ended up wondering if you’d accidentally clicked “private jet...” this one's for you. Today I’m joined by DriveItAway’s CEO John Possumato and Voyager Global Mobility’s Director of Remarketing, Ray Maldonado, to talk about how shrinking used car inventory is squeezing both dealers and consumers and what’s actually being done about it. We get into Voyager and DriveItAway’s new rent to own and direct to dealer programs, how cutting $1,200+ in wholesale friction can suddenly make 80–90K-mile units truly affordable for credit challenged buyers, and why consignment is a lifeline for independents constrained by floorplan limits. Then we zoom in on used EVs: why mileage matters less than on a gas unit, how high mileage EVs can be incredible value if you know how to evaluate them, and why this is central to true transportation enablement for working families. This isn’t just a Carvana play but a blueprint any dealer can execute. “You now have the knowledge!” Live long and prosper. 🖖

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Automotive News article featuring John Possumato: Guest commentary: Carvana’s convenience play shows what dealers are up against

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Come see us live at Used Car Week!

Wed Nov 18, 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM PST

Vehicle Lifecycle 2.0: From Sale to Stream

Register to attend Used Car Week here

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Connect with John Possumato on LinkedIn

Connect with Ray Maldonado on LinkedIn

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Learn more about Voyager Global Mobility

Learn more about DriveItAway

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

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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I thought I was seeing a UFO on a random street right outside of Haddonfield, New Jersey a few weeks ago… turns out it was a brand new Tesla Cybercab, thousands of miles away from Austin. That wild moment sent me straight down the robo-taxi rabbit hole, so I brought on someone who knows way more about it than I do: Sean O’Kane, Senior Reporter at TechCrunch. In this episode, Sean and I talked about why the Cybercab is either Tesla’s biggest breakthrough or its most revealing bluff. We get into Tesla’s camera-only, end-to-end AI approach versus Waymo’s multi-sensor, rules-based hybrid model, and what actually has to happen at scale for this thing to be considered a success. We unpack the sudden shift from “go slow and safe” messaging to a “storm of Cybercabs,” the decentralized robo-taxi dream versus a corporate fleet reality, and how much of this is about tech versus how much is about regulation, NHTSA, and FMVSS catching up. Need a quick Cybercab update? Do not sleep on this episode!

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Read all of Sean's articles on TechCrunch:

The Cybercab is Tesla’s ‘fork in the road’ moment

Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment

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Connect with Sean on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

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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The Tesla Model S didn’t just make EVs cool, it rewrote the entire rulebook and proved what an electric car could be. In today’s episode, fellow EV nerd, YouTuber, and Ever project engineer Andrew Lambrecht joins me to give the Model S a proper Viking send-off and break down what its evolution means for your EV strategy right now. We talked about why Andrew calls the Model S “the most consequential car of the 2010s,” how it doubled horsepower, shed weight, gained range, cut cost, and turned “software-defined vehicle” into a real thing you can feel behind the wheel. We also get real about which used EVs and model years to avoid, how battery management and cell imbalance show up in the real world, and what not to do when shopping for a used EV. Next up is a close look at the Chevy Bolt and why the new 2027 Bolt is a huge upgrade over an already solid crossover, especially if you care about LFP chemistry, fast charging, and long-term battery health. And finally we wrap with the “Darwinism” of the EV market: the good EVs are still winning, the bad ones are getting left behind and the real opportunity in used EVs. If you’re in auto retail and need to talk about EVs with confidence (not vibes) this episode is for you!

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Watch Andrew's videos on YouTube:

Every Tesla Model S Year Compared (2012 to 2026)

We Compared The Old Bolt To The New One — Here's The Verdict

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

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

Let's talk on X:

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Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

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

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Chinese EVs are about to give Canadian car buyers something they haven’t seen in years: real price pressure and brand new choices. In today’s episode, David Kennedy, Toronto Bureau Chief at Automotive News is here to talk about the latest developments surrounding Canada’s Chinese EV quota, why Tesla grabbed so much of the first wave, and how BYD, Chery, and Geely are all positioning themselves to enter the market. You’ll hear the full backstory on tariffs, the trade-offs Canada made to protect canola and open Chinese markets, and why Europe’s EV import experience may be a warning sign. David also explains what’s really happening on the ground with Canadian certification, dealer networks, and the push for Chinese automakers to build assembly plants in Canada to bypass quotas altogether. If you work in the auto industry and you’re still a bit fuzzy on how Chinese EVs, quotas, and cross-border politics collide, you can’t afford to sit this one out. Hit play and stay til the end!

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Read David's full article in Automotive News here: Canada clears way for another 24,500 China-made EVs

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Connect with David on LinkedIn

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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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Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

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

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For years, everyone obsessed over range anxiety. But here in 2026, the real story (and the real money) is in battery health. In today’s episode, Brett Lippel, CEO North America at AVILOO, joins me to talk about the first truly independent Certified EV Battery Report (brand new this month) and what it means for dealers, auctions, and EV shoppers. We get into how AVILOO became the “Carfax of EVs” in Europe, why battery health is now the make or break metric in used EV remarketing, and how a 3 minute OBD flash test can add $500–$1,000 per unit while boosting CSI. Brett and I also talked about which use cases are the most grueling on batteries (hello, rentals and leases), why most fears about EV battery life are completely outdated, and how dealers can turn free battery checks into a service drive magnet. If you care about turning used EVs from “risky” to a serious profit center, this episode’s for you!

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🔗 Want the full story in data form? We pulled the highlights, but you’ll want the details:

The AVILOO Certified EV Battery Report– the world's largest independent study of battery health in used electric vehicles.

Download the full report here

This edition analyzes over 500,000 individual, independent tests carried out on used EVs between 2022 and 2026, covering 20 popular EV models. It draws on a subset of AVILOO's broader diagnostic database, which now spans more than 1 million independent tests worldwide across North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

The AVILOO Certified EV Battery Report is built on data from used electric vehicles tested via its independent AVILOO FLASH Test.

For each model, AVILOO calculates the median State of Health at three mileage milestones – 31,069 miles, 62,137 miles and 93,206 miles – along with the range expected to cover 99% of vehicles at each point.

Download the full report here

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This episode is sponsored by AVILOO. AVILOO transforms battery data into a sound basis for decision-making and reveals what others can only estimate. The only independent EV battery quick test on the market, AI-powered and technologically unmatched. With the AVILOO independent battery certificate, you receive clear data for pricing, customer service, and planning in just three minutes. Learn more at https://aviloo.com/en/aviloo-business

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Connect with Brett on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

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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Auto financing trends just changed (again) and if you’re still selling based on last year’s playbook, you’re behind. In today’s episode, Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian Automotive is back on the show to unpack the Q2 2026 State of the Automotive Finance Market Report and translate it into moves you can make on the showroom floor and in your used car lot.

We get into why average used payments just hit a record $542, whether the “starter car” is really dead, and how lenders are rethinking risk as buyers stretch further back in model years while loan terms blow past 73 months. Melinda also explains what’s really happening with delinquencies and repos across prime, near-prime, and subprime, which segments are holding up, and where dealers should be cautious.

Then we jump to the electrified side of the house: the collapse in EV lease share post-tax credits, why 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the hybrid, and how hybrids have suddenly become the payment friendly hero with lower monthly notes than comparable ICE vehicles.

We also break down the surprising profile of today’s used EV buyer, why credit scores are rising, how Tesla Model Y off-lease volume is shaping the market, and what an $821 average new EV payment means for mainstream adoption. If you’re in charge of making inventory or finance decisions, this episode is your fast track to seeing where the money is flowing, where the risk is hiding, and how to position your store for the next wave of EVs, hybrids, and used inventory.

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🔗 Want the full story in data form? We pulled the highlights, but you’ll want the details:

The Experian Automotive State of the Automotive Finance Market Report for Q2 2026

This quarter’s report highlights several key trends shaping the automotive finance landscape:

• 16.8% Hybrid share of new vehicle financing (up from 12.99% YOY)
• $83/month average savings from auto loan refinancing.
• 2% increase in outstanding automotive loan balances YOY.
• 1 in 3 vehicle loans now exceed 72 months in length.
• Used vehicle financing share increased while overall financing volumes declined YOY.

Download it here

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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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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

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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Polestar’s U.S. exit just got messier. In today’s episode, Wall Street Journal autos reporter Chris Otts is here to explain why Volvo got the green light from the Trump administration while Polestar was denied, despite sharing ownership, platforms, and even a factory line in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Chris breaks down the national security rules for connected vehicles, the Commerce Department’s concerns over how vehicle data is shared and how a niche EV brand (that actually has a decent product) ended up as the first test case. We also talked about the latest developments in a New Jersey dealer’s lawsuit against Polestar, Polestar’s detailed letter to retailers claiming it was “strung along” by regulators, and what it all means for discounted Polestar inventory and state franchise laws. Finally, Chris also talks about whether this chaotic situation is an early blueprint for how U.S. regulators might treat other Chinese backed automakers and global brands with Chinese stakeholders going forward. Hang on tight… this one’s full of plot twists, question marks and a whole bunch of frustrated Polestar dealers.

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Read both articles on WSJ: Polestar Dealer Claims Automaker ‘Orchestrated’ Its U.S. Ban in Lawsuit

EV-Maker Polestar Says Trump Administration Strung It Along Before U.S. Ban

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Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

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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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Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

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

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