There’s a lot to unpack this week. First, with Trump’s IEEPA tariffs being struck down as illegal, what does this mean for the world of EVs? Long story short, we’re unsure, but there’s still a lot to unpack based on what we do know. Then, we know the top five Chinese EVs we’d like to see make it to U.S. shores — the question is, would the price be right? We unpack whether our fantasy pick of Chinese cars would stand a chance on American soil.

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
Supreme Court finds Trump’s IEEPA tariffs are illegal: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/live-blog/-trump-tariffs-ruling-supreme-court-live-updates-rcna252655

Related, on Episode 257, we discussed BYD suing Trump administration over IEEPA tariffs: BYD sues the US government on tariffs: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/byd-sues-us-government-over-165900311.html

Polestar says EV wagon is “absolutely” coming to the U.S.: https://insideevs.com/news/787705/polestar-4-station-wagon-ev-absolutely-us-sales/

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

Toyota’s big news involves the announcement of two new EVs, and neither overwhelm nor disappoint. We have the specs. We also have news on Ford’s new low-cost EV development, and everything looks good! In other news, the elimination of stop-start tech may lead to more hybrids, Chinese automakers may be getting closer to the U.S., 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
Toyota Highlander EV debuts. Similar specs to bZ: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70293168/2027-toyota-highlander-ev-revealed/

Toyota bZ Woodland: https://electrek.co/2026/02/17/toyota-reveals-2026-bz-woodland-prices-newest-electric-suv/

More details on Ford’s low-cost EV platform emerge: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70390625/2028-ford-mid-size-electric-truck-details/

EPA “eliminates” auto stop/start: https://www.theautopian.com/the-epa-just-eliminated-automaker-benefits-for-stop-start-tech-heres-what-that-means-for-your-next-car/

Trump’s EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned US fight against climate change 
https://apnews.com/live/trump-immigration-climate-change-2-12-2026

Volvo says new chassis architecture could enable a wagon comeback: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/volvo-estates-could-return-new-platform-allows-proper-low-evs

Geely, BYD, VinFast eyeing takeover of Nissan/Mercedes plant in Mexico: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/seeking-mexico-foothold-chinas-byd-and-geely-bid-to-buy-car-plant.html

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

As the Toyota Highlander goes all EV, what does that mean for the rest of Toyota’s lineup? Is the RAV4 next? Will the bZ be put out of its misery? We discuss the possibilities on this week’s podcast. Plus, Tesla’s Semi nears production (this time maybe for real), China bans retractable door handles, 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
Toyota Highlander goes full EV: https://www.carscoops.com/2026/02/toyota-highlander-ev-suv-launch/

Nissan announces pricing for Rogue PHEV: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70300002/2026-nissan-rogue-hybrid-pricing/

Tesla reveals final specs on production Semi: https://www.cleantrucking.com/battery-electric/article/15816649/tesla-semi-final-specs-range-power-fast-charging

China bans retractable door handles in 2027+ models: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/02/china-bans-all-retractable-car-door-handles-starting-next-year/

Canada changes its “EV Mandate” for a more flexible approach: https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/9.7075302

BYD sues the US government on tariffs: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/byd-sues-us-government-over-165900311.html

Ferrari EV gets a name, sneak peek of interior: https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/inside-ferraris-luce-ev-the-jony-ive-interior-is-here-130000211.html

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

Tesla’s Model S and X, the upper echelon of its lineup, will soon be dead. What do we get instead? A “poverty spec” Model Y and the promise of Optimus production. That could be an entire episode of The Watt Car podcast, but we don’t stop there. Also on this week’s docket: Chevy’s Blazer weighs three tons, Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra sales crater, 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 to kill off the Model S and X: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/tesla-is-killing-off-the-model-s-and-model-x/

Tesla adds a poverty-spec Model Y AWD to lineup: https://insideevs.com/news/786221/tesla-model-y-awd-cheaper-version-standard/

Chevy Blazer EV SS more than 1,200 lbs heavier than Model Y Performance: https://insideevs.com/reviews/785990/2026-chevy-blazer-ev-ss-review/

Sales of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra drop off a cliff: https://electrek.co/2026/01/31/sales-of-the-ultra-fast-xiaomi-su7-ultra-have-ultra-plummeted-to-under-50-units/

Hyundai pausing Kona EV for 2026: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70245408/hyundai-kona-electric-skipping-2026-model-year/

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

The Bolt is back, but not for long. This time, Chevy is killing its affordable EV to make room for Buick production. Is this the right move? We ponder the decision on this week’s podcast. We also discuss GM’s plug-and-charge compatibility with Electrify America, air quality shifts due to EV adoption, 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
The Bolt is dead again, this time making room for a gas Buick and Chevy Equinox: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70108311/2027-chevy-bolt-in-production-for-18-months/  

Electrified vehicles outsell ICE in Europe for the first time: https://www.acea.auto/pc-registrations/new-car-registrations-1-8-in-2025-battery-electric-17-4-market-share/

Adoption of EVs has made a measurable impact on California air quality, according to study: https://www.theautopian.com/one-state-has-purchased-enough-electric-cars-to-make-the-air-measurably-cleaner-study/

GM joins Electrify America to enable Plug & Charge: https://electrek.co/2026/01/26/gm-plugs-in-electrify-america-to-make-ev-charging-a-breeze/ 

Judge rules Trump’s suspension of NEVI funding was illegal: https://www.evinfrastructurenews.com/ev-policies/untitled

0% financing on EV purchase deals: https://electrek.co/2026/01/23/all-the-evs-you-can-buy-with-0-financing-in-january-2026/

Geely said it will start production on solid-state batteries in 2026: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/650-miles-from-one-charge-volvos-parent-company-beats-tesla-to-the-punch-with-first-production-ready-solid-state-battery

VW changing the name of the ID.4 to the ID Tiguan: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70107417/volkswagen-id4-to-id-tiguan-name-change/

SC-01 sports car concept going into production: https://www.motor1.com/news/785194/china-electric-sports-car-europe/

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

Canada seemingly counters increasing U.S. tensions by welcoming Chinese automakers into The Great White North. Could this tariff decrease be all that’s needed to bring a cascade of Chinese EVs to North America? There’s more to the story, which we cover on this week’s podcast. We also chat about Kia’s new concept EV, an update on Rivian’s R2, 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
Canada strikes trade deal with China, 49,000 Chinese EVs per year at 6.1% tariff: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/canada-china-set-make-historic-gains-new-partnership-says-carney-2026-01-16/

One of the biggest potential beneficiaries of the Canada/China trade deal? Tesla: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-poised-be-early-winner-canada-opens-door-chinese-made-evs-2026-01-19/

Guess what the best-selling SUV in China was for 2025? Hint: It wasn’t BYD or Geely: https://carnewschina.com/2026/01/19/2025-best-selling-suv-ranking-in-china-no-byd-model-in-top-5-tesla-model-y-took-lead/

Kia Vision Meta Turismo Concept has wedgy styling reminiscent of the Honda 0: https://electrek.co/2026/01/19/kia-new-halo-ev-best-look/

RJ Scaringe says “validation” builds of the R2 are coming off the line in Illinois: https://x.com/RJScaringe/status/2011936932419268653?s=20

Germany brings back EV credit for 2026: https://www.electrive.com/2026/01/19/ev-incentive-scheme-applies-retroactively-from-1-january-2026/

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

Ed’s back from the CES Show, and he brings with him a boatload of EV insights and an unhealthy dose of the CES flu. The big takeaway from CES, though, is that Chinese automakers are America-bound, and they’re not kidding around. In other news, California may offer new EV incentives, Stellantis kills its PHEVs, 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
Geely says it will be in U.S. market in 2-3 years: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69935127/geely-enter-american-market-possible-zeekr-models/

Chinese vacuum company brings EV supercar to CES: https://carbuzz.com/dreame-nebula-next-debut-ces-2026/

It’s not all about EVs…China’s Great Wall Motor shows twin-turbo V8, and 2000cc flat-8 in a Gold Wing-like Motorcycle: https://www.autoblog.com/news/a-chinese-automaker-just-unveiled-a-new-twin-turbo-v8-at-ces and https://www.theautopian.com/the-craziest-new-motorcycle-has-an-8-cylinder-boxer-engine-and-its-coming-to-america/

California proposing bringing back EV incentives: https://insideevs.com/news/783995/california-to-revive-ev-incentives-200-million/

Stellantis kills all PHEV models in the U.S.: https://www.thedrive.com/news/all-jeep-and-chrysler-plug-in-hybrid-models-are-officially-dead-exclusive

Tim Kuniskis, the man synonymous with the Hemi’s re-birth and SRT, says electrification is “invevitable” because it is “better.”: https://www.thedrive.com/news/rams-v8-loving-ceo-says-electrification-is-fantastic-and-will-take-over

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

What does the future hold in store for electric vehicles in dealerships, in motorsports, and beyond? With the world relaxing its grip on EV mandates, is an electrified future imminent, or pie in the sky? We gaze into our irrefutable crystal ball to see what the world may look like in 2035…and even 2075. Join us on this week’s podcast, where we take a wild ride from present day to the distant future.

SHOW NOTES
EU moved to relax 2035 ICE ban. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69622270/european-union-may-not-ban-combustion-cars

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

Ford F-150 Lightning EV, we hardly knew ye…although we’ll kind of get to know ye once more thanks to your replacement, the Lightning EREV. Is Ford’s decision to add a generator engine to the full-size pickup a wise one? Tune into this week’s podcast to get our take. Plus, Tesla ranks last in car reliability (but there’s a catch), Rivian takes a page from Tesla’s playbook, VW unveils the ID.Polo, and more!

SHOW NOTES
Tesla ranks dead last in used car reliability study: https://electrek.co/2025/12/11/tesla-ranks-dead-last-used-car-reliability-study-but-theres-catch/

Ford announces next-gen F-150 Lightning will be an EREV: https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2025/next-gen-f-150-lightning-extended-range-electric-vehicle

Rivian Hosts AI & Autonomy Day, Plans to counter Tesla at its own game: https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/rivian-goes-big-on-autonomy-with-custom-silicon-lidar-and-a-hint-at-robotaxis/

VW reveals specs for low-cost ID.Polo model: https://electrek.co/2025/12/15/volkswagen-shares-new-range-details-affordable-id-polo-ev/

Porsche’s last-minute pivot on offering an ICE option on the next-gen 718 (Boxster/Cayman) reportedly created huge engineering headaches: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/next-gen-porsche-718-evs-being-reworked-petrol-power

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

Will Fiat’s teeny tiny Topolino come Stateside? We hope so! At the same time, the market for such a unique vehicle is, shall we say, quite small. The opposite of the Topolino would be the Lotus Eletre, so we talk about that on this week’s podcast, too. We also discuss Mercedes, Lexus, and more!

SHOW NOTES
Fiat says it will bring the Topolino to the U.S.: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69673631/fiat-topolino-ev-coming-to-united-states/

Lotus Eletre gets an EREV version, and a weird name: https://insideevs.com/news/781214/lotus-eletre-for-me-phev-official-specs/

Mercedes GLB is back, as an EV: https://electrek.co/2025/12/08/new-mercedes-glb-3-row-luxury-electric-suv-images/

Lexus shows LFA concept as an EV: https://www.thedrive.com/news/lexus-commits-to-electric-lfa-successor

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