Ride the Lightning: Tesla and EV Podcast

Copyright: © All content copyright 2023 by Ryan McCaffrey. Contents of Ride the Lightning: Tesla Motors Unofficial Podcast may not be used in any way without the express written permission of Ryan McCaffrey.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 564: Special Guests Franz and Lars Discuss Model S and X's Legacy May 24, 2026

Show notes

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and Engineering VP Lars Moravy both join me to discuss the legacy and history of the Model S and Model X as both cars are officially retired this week. Plus: my recap of the Model S and X Celebration event. Stay tuned!

00:12:18 Interview Start 00:13:30 How the Decision to Discontinue S and X Happened 00:18:02 S and X Would Need a Complete Redesign to Continue 00:21:55 Next-Gen Roadster News 00:25:03 Signature Numbers 00:29:03 Final S and X Production Numbers 00:29:43 The Beginning of Model S 00:36:20 More Lightning 00:36:48 Old S and X Stories 00:39:26 First Drive of the Model S...Ever 00:45:14 The EV Market and EV Adoption Rate 00:49:36 Adding Dual Motors to Model S 00:51:36 A 3rd Motor in a Model 3? 00:54:37 About the Never-Made Model S Plaid+ 00:56:58 Are 18650s done at Tesla? 00:58:10 Favorite Wheels 01:02:10 Pencils Down on S and X 01:03:22 Parting Message 01:05:07 Drive or Preserve their Signature S's

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly or (10% discounted!) annual pledge. Every little bit helps, and you can support for just $5 per month. And there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And NO ADS at every Patreon tier!

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Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

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Episode 563: A Long-Awaited Supercharging Feature Debuts May 17, 2026

Show notes

Tesla has begun an initial rollout of a long-asked-for Supercharging feature. Plus: Tesla expands battery production at Giga Berlin, BMW hits an EV milestone, and more!

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Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

Episode 562: FSD v14 Lite Will Go Global for Hardware 3 Owners May 10, 2026

Show notes

Tesla confirms that the upcoming FSD v14 Lite for Hardware 3 vehicles will be rolling out globally. Plus: Tesla introduces not one but two new blue paint options for Model 3 and Model Y, Rivian had a better-than-expected first quarter, Nissan becomes the latest legacy automaker to pull the plug on EVs in the US market, and more!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTLsale for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 561: Meet the Model X Owner Driving From the Arctic Circle to the Southernmost Tip of South America May 03, 2026

Show notes

I'd like you to meet Sandro, a Model X owner who has made some epic journeys in his Tesla, and is currently driving from the northernmost point of our continent at the Arctic Circle to the southernmost tip of South America. It's an incredible story, so stay tuned for that interview!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTLsale for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 560: Tesla Q1 Earnings: HW3 Retrofit Update, v14 Lite Release Date, and More! Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Tesla held its quarterly earnings call for Q1 2026, and we got a big update on Tesla's plan to upgrade the Hardware 3 cars for people that paid for FSD. Plus: we now have a better idea of when to expect the upcoming v14 "Lite" release for HW3 and the next-gen Roadster reveal, and more! Watch Jason Cammisa's Model S video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwnJzP0TlCk

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTLsale for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 559: Model S and X Get Signature Edition Sendoff Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Tesla sends the Model S and Model X off with an exclusive new Signature Edition run, and I've got all the details about what makes them special. Plus: Tesla has announced the new features coming in its Spring software update, a Tesla cofounder is partnering up with Rivian for a new battery recycling initiative, and more!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTL+ for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 558: Tesla's More Affordable 'Model 2' Might Be Happening After All Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

Just when it looked like Tesla was abandoning affordable EVs in favor of purely autonomous vehicles, a new report says the company is planning to produce a smaller, more affordable SUV – with a steering wheel and pedals. Plus: a major partner signs on to Tesla's moonshot Terafab project, the Rivian R2's official EPA-rated range beats the company's original estimates, and more!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTL+ for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 557: Model S and X Custom Orders Have Ended Apr 05, 2026

Show notes

Tesla stops taking new custom orders for the Model S and X, marking the true beginning of the end for these historic EVs. Plus: Tesla reports its first-quarter vehicle production and delivery numbers, Kia has announced a promising new entry-level EV for the North American market, and more!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTL+ for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 556: Tesla CEO: "Something Way Cooler Than a Minivan Is Coming" Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is teasing a new vehicle that may or may not match the "Cyburban" I told you about in a recent episode. Plus: more evidence that the Model Y L's arrival in the United States is imminent, FSD Supervised takes a crucial step closer to rolling out in Europe, Sony's PlayStation car will not be going into production, and more!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RTL+ for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

Episode 555: Tesla Model Y L Launches…in Australia and New Zealand Mar 22, 2026

Show notes

Tesla's longer and more luxurious Model Y L has launched in Australia and New Zealand, putting it one step closer to going global. Plus: Lucid announces not one but three new more affordable midsize vehicles, Tesla's V3 Superchargers have been retired, and more!

Also, don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call is 1-888-989-8752.

P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL too!). Enhance your car with cool carbon-fiber upgrades from RPMTesla.com and use the promo code RPMRTL for 5-10% off your next purchase. And make your garage door foolproof with the Infinity Shield – get yours at https://www.infinity-shield.com and use the promo code RTL at checkout for a $35 discount.

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