PODCAST: TESLA EARNINGS WILD, NEW BMW IX, SOME EVS WON'T MAKE IT TO US, MORE

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Electrek Podcast dives deep into Tesla's Q4 2024 earnings, revealing a significant miss on revenue and earnings, exacerbated by a substantial gain from Bitcoin. The discussion highlights Tesla's shift from a growth stock to one trading at a high multiple, with earnings heavily reliant on non-operational factors. A key takeaway is Elon Musk's announcement that unsupervised Full Self-Driving will launch as a paid service in Austin, Texas, in June, though the hosts express skepticism about its readiness and legality. The podcast also addresses the critical admission that Tesla's Hardware 3 computers are insufficient for full self-driving, necessitating replacements for FSD purchasers, a move that could lead to significant legal and logistical challenges for the company. On a more positive note, the energy storage business shows growth, albeit with declining profit margins due to price cuts and increased competition. The ambitious plans for Optimus robot production are also discussed, with the hosts questioning the feasibility and usefulness of the projected numbers. Finally, the episode touches upon updates for the BMW iX, including increased range and a lower starting price, and confirms that the Kia EV5 and VW ID.7 will not be coming to the US market.