INSIDEEVS PODCAST #05 | TESLA DATA BREACH, AUDI Q4 E-TRON FOR 2021 AND WE DRIVE NEW BOLT & LEAF

EV Channels Review

The InsideEVs Podcast episode #5 delves into several key EV topics, with a significant portion dedicated to a comprehensive range test of the 2020 Nissan Leaf SL Plus. While the Leaf SL Plus is EPA rated at 215 miles, the test revealed a real-world highway range of 185 miles at a constant 70 mph, a figure the hosts emphasize is a useful data point for consumers. A major critique centers on the Leaf's charging capabilities, particularly its lack of active battery thermal management, which leads to significant throttling of DC fast charging speeds, especially at higher states of charge. This "rapid gate" issue makes long-distance travel challenging, with charging from 97% to 100% taking an hour and a half. Despite these charging drawbacks, the Leaf is praised for its spacious interior and practicality as a family EV for shorter trips. The discussion also touches on Tesla's data leak issues, the upcoming Audi Q4 e-tron, and comparisons between the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, highlighting their similarities in range and acceleration but noting the Kona's superior driver-assist technology.