TRANSPORT EVOLVED ELECTRIC CAR PANEL SHOW, APRIL 25, 2014: THE TESLA DANCE, EP.197

EV Channels Review

This episode of Transport Evolved discusses several key EV developments from April 2014. The panel reviews the Nissan NV200, noting its similarity in handling to the Leaf and its availability in family, commercial van, and crew cab variants. They also touch upon the ongoing debate about the average EV buyer's demographic, with a study suggesting younger and more affluent buyers compared to hybrid owners, though the panel questions the statistical validity due to sample size and cost discrepancies. The Toyota RAV4 EV's struggles in the US market are highlighted, attributed to its high price and lack of DC fast charging, leading Toyota to offer significant lease incentives. The episode also covers Tesla's expansion in California with new facilities, the FTC's stance against auto dealer associations' attempts to ban direct sales, and a Consumer Reports survey revealing dealership knowledge gaps regarding EVs. Finally, the BMW i3 Rex's US-specific limitations, including a smaller fuel tank and range extender behavior, are discussed, alongside the peculiar incident of a naked man dancing on a Tesla Model S in California. The segment concludes with Tesla's China market entry challenges related to license plate lotteries and Nissan's internal discussions about a longer-range Leaf, with the panel emphasizing the importance of maintaining original pricing for increased range.