ELECTRIC KONA REFRESH, US INCENTIVES DELAY AND BUICK ELECTRA E5

EV Channels Review

This episode of the EV Channels podcast delves into the refreshed Hyundai Kona Electric, the delay in US EV incentives, and the debut of the Buick Electra E5. The discussion highlights the challenges of EV ownership in extreme cold, particularly concerning charging infrastructure. While the Ford F-150 Lightning is praised for its all-wheel-drive performance in snow and ice, the lack of a heat pump is noted as a missed opportunity. The conversation also touches on battery management in cold weather, with general consensus being that extreme cold is less damaging than extreme heat, and that most modern EVs are well-equipped to handle it. A significant portion of the podcast is dedicated to the unreliability of new Electrify America charging hardware in cold temperatures, with multiple instances of stations failing, leading to significant inconvenience for EV drivers. The hosts express frustration with the lack of robust testing for charging infrastructure, contrasting it with the reliable performance of Tesla Superchargers even in frigid conditions. The overall sentiment suggests that while EV technology is advancing, charging infrastructure in the US still has a long way to go to match the reliability seen in other markets.