Turns out, a vehicle needn’t be made in China for the U.S. to chuck it from these shores for being a Chinese car, but was Polestar simply a sacrificial lamb for Geely, since Volvo’s presence has been spared? That’s just the first topic on this week’s podcast. The conversation then wanders somewhat autonomously to Tesla, VW, and Bosch and the future of self-driving cars, plus dielectric battery EVs, and more.

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SHOW NOTES
Polestar exits US market: https://www.thedrive.com/news/polestar-is-done-selling-new-cars-in-the-us

Tesla rolls out FSD v14 “lite” to HW3: https://electrek.co/2026/06/29/tesla-fsd-v14-lite-hw3-rollout/

VW reportedly cutting losses with Bosch over autonomous driving software not achieving goals: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-plans-end-automated-driving-tie-up-with-bosch-bild-reports-2026-06-28/

DOT proposes elimination of the brake pedal for fully autonomous vehicles: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/25/trump-admin-proposes-axing-brake-pedal-requirement-for-avs-in-a-boost-for-tesla/

Shell shows prototype with dielectric fluid battery: https://www.autoblog.com/news/shell-built-an-ev-that-uses-half-the-carbon-of-todays-electric-cars

Ferrari marketing chief “leaves” company following Luce launch: https://electrek.co/2026/06/23/ferrari-replaces-marketing-chief-luce-ev-backlash/

Ferrari Luce sells out in China: https://www.autoblog.com/news/ferraris-first-ev-got-roasted-online-then-sold-out-in-china

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Polestar
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

From a ho-hum car to more fake ICE sounds to robot overlords, Hyundai’s in the news! Is this Korean automaker joining Tesla in building the robots that are mankind’s downfall? One of the hosts of this podcast thinks it’s a possibility. Plus, Lucid stares at death’s door, Porsche’s U.S. sports wagons are no more…and more!

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Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
Hyundai reveals Ioniq V at Beijing Auto Show: https://carnewschina.com/2026/06/15/hyundai-ioniq-v-fastback-revealed-66-8-kwh-battery-and-620-km-range/

Hyundai’s global R&D chief says next-gen N EVs will be better at faking ICE cars: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/hyundai-developing-even-more-realistic-electric-n-cars

Hyundai pays $325 million for remaining 10% stake in Boston Dynamics: https://www.gadgetreview.com/softbank-walks-away-from-boston-dynamics-for-325-million-hands-hyundai-the-keys

GM fires 1,000 factory workers and replaces them with robots: https://www.autoblog.com/news/gm-cut-1000-workers-at-its-ev-plant-then-added-robots

Deathwatch? Lucid lays off 18% of staff: https://electrek.co/2026/06/22/lucid-lays-off-18-percent-second-cut-four-months/

Lucid lays off COO Marc Winterhoff (who was interim CEO) and is eliminating COO position: https://eletric-vehicles.com/lucid/lucid-coo-exit-ends-undisclosed-eight-year-relationship/

Jeep Recon is a huge electron-guzzler: https://insideevs.com/news/799088/2026-jeep-recon-epa-range-efficiency/

RIP Speedwagons: Porsche drops Taycan Cross and Sport Turismo from US lineup: https://www.theautopian.com/porsche-just-killed-the-beautiful-taycan-wagon-lets-see-how-cheap-we-can-find-a-used-one/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Boston Dynamics
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

Rivian is in the news! From R2 production to R3 expectations, radio features, CalTrans orders, and more, this week’s podcast is packed full of Rivian goodness. But before we get there, first we tackle the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse unveiling, Tesla Cybercab EPA figures, the promise of Telo production, and more!

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Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
BMW unveils M Concept Neue Klasse: https://www.motor1.com/news/798518/bmw-electric-m3-concept/

Tesla Cybercab specs revealed in EPA docs: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71590701/tesla-cybercab-specs-epa-documents-revealed/

Telo claims it has secured a supplier for the MT1’s “Body-in-White”: https://insideevs.com/news/798776/telo-mt1-production-update-partnership/

In an interview with The Drive, RJ Scaringe says R3 and R3X will enter production by the end of the decade:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/r2-profits-r4-is-very-cool-rad-variants-rivians-ceo-just-gave-us-the-roadmap

CalTrans orders 524 more Rivian R1s for its fleet: https://www.electrive.com/2026/06/15/caltrans-orders-524-additional-evs-from-rivian/

Rivian R2 drops traditional radio tuning for all-streaming audio: https://www.carscoops.com/2026/06/rivian-r2-fm-radio/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Rivian
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

The Rivian R2 is in the hands of journalists, and the reviews are in. On this week’s podcast, we discuss whether the sprightly new offering from this EV maker will be enough to take on Tesla and its dominant Model Y. Things are looking good for Rivian, but are they also looking good for the likes of Slate and Telo, especially with Ford’s new low cost EV pickup being developed? We stare into our crystal ball to see whether Ford is about to wipe the slate clean.

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Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
Ferrari Design Team designs an HP laptop: https://www.tweaktown.com/news/112095/hps-new-limited-edition-ferrari-laptop-is-made-from-carbon-fiber-and-glass/index.html

Rivian R2 first drive review roundup: 
https://electrek.co/2026/06/09/rivian-r2-first-drive-this-is-everything-i-need-to-upgrade-my-model-y-except/
https://insideevs.com/reviews/798129/rivian-r2-first-drive-review/
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a71483800/2027-rivian-r2-drive/
https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2027-rivian-r2-first-drive-review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8ii1R5aAMM

Carvana could become the de facto nationwide franchisee for Slate: https://electrek.co/2026/06/05/carvanas-bet-on-slate-is-actually-a-bet-on-itself-as-the-future-of-automotive-retail/

Slate has amassed 150,000 (refundable) preorders to date: https://insideevs.com/reviews/786896/slate-ev-pickup-truck-everything-we-know/

Telo: https://www.telotrucks.com/

Stellantis attempting to sell Charger Daytona in Europe: https://insideevs.com/news/798063/dodge-charger-daytona-ev-gas-europe/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Slate
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

Does electric propulsion mean a vehicle is in some way less enjoyable to drive? A recent video by Jason Camissa somewhat implies that, and we can’t help but discuss on this week’s podcast. In other news, Lotus recommits to ICE development, Rolls-Royce updates its Spectre with NACS and more, Rivian R2 looks efficient, and Hummer reveals a wild new concept car.

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
Jason Camissa says “Gasoline is far too precious a resource to be wasted on those who are not enjoying the act of combusting it”: https://youtu.be/l74of0u_RBE?si=mNNC1yGoxh6PoHj6&t=612

Lotus recommits to ICE development: https://www.motor1.com/news/797272/lotus-thought-electric-vehicles-future/

Rolls-Royce Spectre gets more range, power, NACS port: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71473034/2027-rolls-royce-spectre-details/

Rivian R2 matches Tesla Model Y Performance on EPA test despite boxier profile, heavier weight: https://electrek.co/2026/05/29/rivian-r2-epa-efficiency-matches-tesla-model-y/

GM shows Hummer X midsize pickup & SUV concepts, says “No plans for production”: https://insideevs.com/news/797175/gmc-hummer-x-suv-pickup-midsize-concept/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Rolls-Royce
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

Ferrari unveils its first fully electric vehicle, and the reviews are mixed. From its Jony Ive (of Apple fame) exterior and interior design to its stated performance, the reviews are…well…mixed. And on this week’s podcast, we also have opinions. Also this week, Lucid takes back a lemon, Citroën trots out a new 2CV, VinFast hits gen two, and more!

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
Ferrari Luce unveiled: https://electrek.co/2026/05/25/ferrari-luce-first-electric-ferrari-hands-on-rome-launch/

Lucid takes back Jason Fenske’s (Engineering Explained) Lucid Air under Lemon Law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrz1LXNm9cI

The Citroën 2CV is coming back, as an EV: https://insideevs.com/news/796705/citroen-2cv-back-as-ev/

VinFast Unveils second-gen VF8 in Vietnam. Smaller, lower-cost: https://insideevs.com/news/796859/vinfast-vf8-new-generation-2025-specs/

Toyota study says (its) PHEV drivers plug in regularly: https://electriccarsreport.com/2026/05/do-plug-in-hybrids-really-work-toyota-study-says-yes/

Man in Grapevine, TX, drives his Cybertruck into a lake to use “Wade Mode” … gets stuck … and arrested.
https://abc7news.com/post/driver-intentionally-drove-cybertruck-lake-use-vehicles-wade-mode-police-say/19138612/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Ferrari
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

The Mercedes-AMG GT EV is unveiled, with some interesting styling choices. Does this car have what it takes to become a Porsche Taycan killer? That’s just one of the topics discussed on this week’s podcast. We also talk about federal EV fees, Rivian R2 pricing, Honda reversing course, and more.

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
Bill in Congress proposing national fee for EVs/PHEVs: https://www.autoblog.com/news/ev-owners-lost-tax-credits-now-lawmakers-want-a-yearly-fee

Mercedes shows AMG GT EV: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71337669/2027-mercedes-amg-gt-4-door-ev-revealed/

ID.Buzz is back for ‘27, adds new trims: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71305922/2027-volkswagen-id-buzz-return-details/

Official specs drop on ID.Polo GTI: https://insideevs.com/news/796000/vw-id-polo-gti-reveal/

Rivian R2 configurator opens: https://electrek.co/2026/05/15/rivian-r2-configurator-live-pricing-options/

Honda retreats from all-EV by 2040 pledge: https://www.teslarati.com/honda-gives-up-on-all-ev-future-not-realistic/

California launches Clean Fuel Reward program for commercial trucks: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/california-launching-1-billion-rebate-program-electric-trucks

Cybertruck stuck on beach yanked out of trouble by Toyota Sienna: https://www.thedrive.com/news/minivan-to-the-rescue-beached-cybertruck-extracted-by-a-rental-spec-sienna

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Mercedes-AMG
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

Call it morbid curiosity, but we couldn’t help but revisit the topic of the Cadillac Lyriq hearse, especially since there are now photos of the finished product. We take a look. We also look at Toyota’s Woven City, how Tesla’s Robotaxis are doing, whether non-geofenced, fully autonomous cabs will ever exist, and more. Then we say goodbye to the Tesla Model X and S.

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Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
We finally have pics of the Lyriq hearse: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71258861/cadillac-lyriq-hearse-details/

Cadillac EVs also popular with the living: https://insideevs.com/news/795368/cadillac-75-percent-buyers-new/

GM settles driver data selling lawsuit in California for $12.75 million: https://www.thedrive.com/news/shady-selling-of-driver-data-just-cost-gm-another-12-75-million

Toyota’s Woven City: https://insideevs.com/features/795380/toyota-woven-city-tour-2026/

Reuters tests Robotaxi in Dallas with hilarious consequences: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/teslas-robotaxi-rollout-features-texas-sized-wait-times-2026-05-12/

Electrek goes past the paywall on the Reuter’s article: https://electrek.co/2026/05/12/tesla-robotaxi-convenience-issues-hide-safety-bottleneck/

The last Tesla Model S and Model X rolled off the Fremont assembly line: https://insideevs.com/news/795519/tesla-model-s-x-production/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Wolf Coach Builders
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

Between Jaecoo, BYD, Yangwang, and Geely, Chinese automakers are most definitely coming. In fact, in Europe, they’re already there, and selling well. Is what’s keeping them from the U.S. fear on America’s side, or is there a legitimate reason to keep these vehicles from our shores? We look at some recent news and chew on what it all means. Also, Rivian ups production capacity, the Tesla Semi gets a slow charger, and more!

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
“Temu Range Rover” Jaecoo J7 tops UK sales charts in March: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/01/jaecoo-7-china-electric-car-chery-price-temu-range-rover

BYD moving into top spot for EV sales in multiple markets: https://electrek.co/2026/05/05/byd-overtakes-tesla-kia-best-selling-ev-brand-key-overseas-markets/

Yangwang U9 Extreme price announced: https://carnewschina.com/2026/04/30/byd-u9-xtreme-sold-at-2760000-becomes-most-expensive-byd-ever/

CNBC says Geely is best positioned for entry in U.S. market: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNPzWaafsCA

Rivian expands plans for Georgia plant: https://www.electrive.com/2026/05/04/rivian-plans-georgia-plant-50-larger/

Tesla announces “Basecharger” slow-charging for big rigs: https://evchargingstations.com/chargingnews/tesla-semi-charging-business/

AAA studies effects of high/low temperatures on EVs, hybrids: https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/aaa-study-reveals-temperature-impacts-on-ev-and-hybrid-performance-efficiency-and-costs/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy BYD
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar

BYD reveals a wild one with its Denza Z. Is this 1,000hp roadster everything that the new Tesla Roadster isn’t…because it’s real? Also on this week’s podcast, Toyota EV sales surge, GM delays EV redesigns, Porsche steps back from Bugatti Rimac Group, VW teases the Mk9 GTI (with EV variant), and more!

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.

Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.

SHOW NOTES
Tesla redesigns on the fly: https://www.facebook.com/reel/950802907550703/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

BYD shows off 1,000-hp Denza Z sports car: https://insideevs.com/news/794147/denza-z-ev-roadster-1000-hp-charging-reveal/

Toyota EV sales more than double from last year: https://electrek.co/2026/04/27/toyotas-ev-sales-surge-139-drivers-seek-gas-alternatives/

GM delaying redesign of full-size EV trucks, SUVs: https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-delays-full-size-electric-truck-and-suv-redesigns-indefinitely-report

Porsche sells stake in Bugatti Rimac Group: https://www.electrive.com/2026/04/25/porsche-exits-bugatti-rimac-and-rimac-group/

VW CEO Thomas Schäfer reportedly said “Wow” at Mk9 Golf styling: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71138991/volkswagen-mk-9-golf-new-details/

Ford Cobra Jet 2200 sets EV quarter-mile record: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/ford-racing-mustang-cobra-jet-2200-quarter-mile-time/

This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy BYD
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar