A weekly podcast tracking the transition from fossil fuel transportation to electric and the surrounding clean ecosystems. Hosted by Electrek’s Frederic Lambert and Seth Weintraub.
Polestar USA head talks lower-priced 2022 version of Polestar 2, new SUV, and more
Jul 09, 2021
Show notes
Electrek sat down with Gregor Hembrough, the head of Polestar North America, to discuss the electric automaker's latest developments, including the upcoming lower-priced 2022 version of the Polestar 2, SPAC deal speculation, and more.
Gregor Hembrough spent two decades in various positions at Volvo before being made head of the Polestar in the US as the automaker relaunched its performance brand as a new all-electric brand under its Geely ownership.
While the company had a good start with the Polestar 2, things are just starting to get more interesting for the company in North America.
Polestar's announcement confirmed that the vehicle would be produced at Volvo's existing factory in South Carolina, but it wasn't clear what degree of production will happen there. It could be just the final assembly or more.
When asked about the situation, Hembrough said:
"We are finalizing that right now whether we are going to have final assembly or full production. We are working out the details. We have a lot of discussions with suppliers and we are going to share the factory with our sibling brand Volvo."
The executive did add that the Polestar 3 will first start production in China, where the automaker is already producing the Polestar 2, and the first Polestar 3 to make it to the US next year will also come from China.
However, he did note that US production should follow shortly after.
"There are a couple of enhancements to what we offer as well to the hard product itself. We will be offering a longer EPA-rated range of the vehicle. The option of having a heat pump with the car and I believe everyone understands the benefits that the heat pump can bring in variable climates."
The head of Polestar North America also confirmed that more options will be available — allowing for more configuration and lower prices.
A single motor version will also be made available — again resulting in a lower price.One could even speculate that they could be aiming for prices that will hit the rebate threshold in Quebec or BC in Canada.
The Polestar 2 currently starts at $60,000 in the US.
Here's our full interview on the Electrek Youtube channel:
https://youtu.be/LBbT114j-iM
We also asked Hembrough about the recent rumors that Geely was looking to bring Polestar public through a SPAC.
While the executive didn't want to comment on that, he did say that they are open to new sources of funding as they expand.
Tesla achieves new delivery record, Model S Plaid fire, Tesla Vision improves, and more
Jul 02, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including Tesla's Q2 2021 delivery and production results, a Tesla Model S Plaid fire, Tesla Vision software improves in new update, and more.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
https://youtu.be/rhw3jBsbSXY
Tesla opening Supercharger network to other EVs, supercomputer, Mustang Mach-E GT, and more
Jun 25, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including Tesla making moves to open Supercharger network to other electric cars, Tesla's latest supercomputer, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT range, and more.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
https://youtu.be/0ZFyx5cFBQ0
More info on Tesla Model S Plaid, yoke steering wheel, VW ID.4 AWD, and more
Jun 18, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including more information on the new Tesla Model S Plaid, its yoke steering wheel, the launch of the VW ID.4 AWD in the US, and more.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
https://youtu.be/qkZbu569_zA
Tesla Model S Plaid launch, Anonymous goes after Elon, Jerome Guillen leaves, and more
Jun 11, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including the launch of the new Tesla Model S Plaid, Anonymous going after Elon Musk, and Tesla's Jerome Guillen leaving.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
https://youtu.be/rK6FpaINlQY
Tesla price increases explained, Tesla diner, Model S Plaid gets new record, and more
Jun 04, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including Tesla price increases explained, Tesla is actually working on a diner, Model S Plaid achieves a new record, and more.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
https://youtu.be/AhNOFQt1vDA
Tesla Vision, Tesla Cybertruck, electric car tax credit, and more
May 28, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including the launch of Tesla Vision, some Tesla Cybertruck news, an update on the electric car tax credit, and more.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
https://youtu.be/2wfPFeAc2bw
Podcast: Hyundai has “more aggressive sales target than Kona” with Ioniq 5, and more
May 24, 2021
Show notes
We had a chance to record a special edition of the Electrek Podcast this week, as we were able to chat with John Shon and Miles Johnson from Hyundai about the newly launched Ioniq 5 CUV. As the flagship EV to launch under Hyundai's newly rebranded Ioniq name, this compact SUV has already gotten some great feedback from our readers, along with some questions.
We tried to get as much information out of the Hyundai team as possible in our quick interview; some questions were answered, but some will require more of a wait... especially regarding what the Ioniq 5 will cost.
Key Points
Production on the Ioniq 5 is slotted for August of this year in South Korea with plans to begin deliveries in the US by early October. According to John Shon, Senior Group Manager of product planning for Hyundai Motor America, the rollout will begin in ten ZEV states in addition to other big market states like Texas, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia. The rollout should reach the rest of the US in early 2022.
When asked what sort of volume Hyundai was planning to roll out with the Ioniq 5, the Hyundai team unfortunately would not disclose any numbers. However, Shon did speak to Hyundai's sales approach to the Ioniq 5:
We are definitely more aggressive in regard to the sales target of this vehicle, than let's say, the Kona Electric. We feel like this is the next generation of electric vehicles, not just for us but how it stands out in the marketplace.
Shon went on to elaborate about how the Ioniq 5's dual motor AWD allows for more control in inclement weather, allowing Hyundai to be more bullish in the market potential and sales approach to a wider group of US consumers.
Pricing and Reservations
As you'll notice in the podcast, we pried the Hyundai guys multiple times for any sort of hint at pricing on this EV with no such luck. All we were able to gather is the same details we've previously reported - Hyundai plans to remain competitive with other CUVs on the market, especially Ford's Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen's ID.4. Shon elaborates:
You know, we're working on it quite diligently. We're looking at, not just a competitive environment, but what customers are willing to pay. We're working on it, it won't be available right now but it will be closer to wholesale release of the vehicle which is anywhere from late September to early October.
In previous conversation with Electrek, Shon has mentioned August for a potential pricing release too.
Although the Ioniq 5 officially "launched" in the US today, Hyundai was not sharing any numbers yet on the sort of interest the vehicle has gathered from consumers. We are very curious what sort of reservations this EV garners, but we do not have this information at this time. We will stay in touch with Hyundai for updates however.
The normally scheduled show remains live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onwimq34NsM
Ford is not getting into electric pickup trucks to build just a few of them – Darren Palmer interview
May 22, 2021
Show notes
Electrek sat down with Darren Palmer, head of battery-electric vehicles at Ford, to discuss the automaker's launch of the F-150 Lightning and the company's broader electric ambitions.
After Ford unveiled the F-150 Lightning this week, the EV community was for the most part impressed by the specs and the price point that the automaker announced.
The performance are comparable or better than Ford's best gas-powered pickup trucks.
On the electric side, with a starting price under $40,000 for a base version with 230 miles (370 km) of range and an extended range option with 300 miles (480 km) of range, it is hard to complain.
Some will of course, but for the most part, the EV community seems to agree that Ford could sell as many F-150 Lightning pickup trucks as they can produce.
That's why when we sat down with Darren Palmer, head of battery-electric vehicles at Ford, our first question was about bringing the electric pickup to volume production.
Palmer said that Ford is not sharing planned production capacity, but he made it clear that they are aiming for volume production of the electric truck:
"I think you can see we are not in this to build a couple of trucks and the facility that you saw President Biden visit this week, where the truck is going to be built, is significant. We also need to get the batteries to do this. We are doing that and you are going to see more about that at the capital market day next Wednesday, but again, we are not in this for a couple of trucks."
Ford hasn't confirmed the battery pack capacity of the truck yet, but both options are definitely over 100 kWh.
The company is well aware that if they plan to produce the F-150 Lightning in volume, it is going to need a lot of battery cells.
Palmer also made a point that Ford relies heavily on customer feedback in the development of its vehicles and the F-150 Lightning is no exception.
It starts with commercial customers who require reliable vehicles at the right price point and retail consumers benefit from that while Ford also listens to them for all the features and niceties that you'd expect in a consumer vehicle.
Therefore, with the F-150 Lightning, Ford made sure that truck buyers would get all the capacity and features they are used to plus all the advantages of electric vehicles.
One of those features that Ford is betting on is Vehicle-to-Load, which enables F-150 Lightning owners to power their home, a job site, or virtually anything using the truck's battery pack.
Palmer also explained that Ford is trying not to overwhelm buyers with electrification and it is trying to simplify the process of going electric.
For example, with the extended range version, Ford is providing an 80-amp charger that enables charging the large battery of the truck overnight.
The company is also not releasing all the nitty-gritty details of the truck's electric powertrain, like the kWh capacity of the battery pack, which Palmer believes most people don't really understand, but he did say that Ford will release all the details, including usable and full battery pack capacity, ahead of production next year.
We expect Ford to share more details and highlight more features of the F-150 Lightning over the next year - leading up to the start of production in mid-2022.
Ford F-150 Lightning unveiled, Tesla Roadster, Tesla containment hold, and more
May 21, 2021
Show notes
This week on the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy, including the unveiling of the Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Roadster with SpaceX package, Tesla's containment hold, and more.
The show is back live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel. As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast today:
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