WHEN ROBERT MET RORY (NEW PRESENTER INTRODUCTION) | FULLY CHARGED

EV Channels Review

This episode marks a special reunion between Robert Llewellyn and Rory Reid, revisiting a 2010 discussion about the shortcomings of electric cars. Ten years on, they reflect on the dramatic progress made. Rory, now Auto Trader's Head of Reviews and a new presenter for Fully Charged, acknowledges his initial skepticism was accurate for the time, citing the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and early Nissan Leaf as examples of expensive, low-range vehicles with high manufacturing costs. Robert highlights the significant improvements in battery technology and cost reduction, making EVs a viable alternative. They discuss how the modern Nissan Leaf, while similar in price to the 2010 model, offers double the battery capacity. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning range anxiety, the impact of extreme weather on range, and the still-developing charging infrastructure, which is often unreliable and requires multiple apps. Despite these hurdles, the overwhelming sentiment is one of optimism, celebrating the technological leaps and the increasing desirability and practicality of electric vehicles.