KILOWATT HALF HOUR EP 53: BLING THINGS FROM TESLA AND MERCEDES

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Kilowatt Half Hour podcast covers a range of electric vehicle topics, including initial impressions of the Tesla Cybertruck, a critical review of the MG4 EV, and discussions on Volkswagen's electric offerings. The hosts express disappointment with the MG4 EV's driving dynamics despite its showroom appeal and value proposition, noting that competitors from established brands offer more compelling monthly deals. They highlight the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX, particularly praising the ID.7 estate as an underrated car. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around upcoming changes to company car tax, which will increasingly favor full electric vehicles over plug-in hybrids. The podcast also touches on the potential removal of the luxury car tax for EVs and the doubling of first-year road tax for petrol and diesel cars. Listener questions are addressed, comparing the Kia EV3 and Renault Scenic, with a personal preference for the EV3's efficiency and value, while acknowledging the Scenic's practicality and space. The Mercedes CLA concept is previewed, noting its 800-volt architecture, efficiency claims, and a novel child presence detection system. The episode concludes with a discussion on regenerative braking, its importance, and why it's not always a default setting, and a review of charging network awards, with Instavolt being favored over Tesla for its reliability and coverage despite higher costs.