EV Geek Podcast

This week on The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down the biggest EV stories making headlines!

⚡ This week's topics include:

Mercedes officially unveils the all-new GLA EV with 800V architecture, up to 320kW charging, and an impressive claimed range.

Volvo drops LiDAR from the EX90 and ES90—what does this mean for the future of driver assistance and autonomous driving?

The Rivian R2 is finally in the hands of reviewers! We discuss the first real-world highway range tests, charging performance, and whether its charging speed makes up for the lower-than-expected range.

Plus, our thoughts on Hyundai's Pleos software platform and what it could mean for the future of connected vehicles.

Whether you're shopping for an EV, following the latest industry news, or just love electric vehicles, we've got you covered.

What do you think?
👇 Let us know in the comments:

Is the Mercedes GLA EV a vehicle you'd consider?

Does Volvo's decision to remove LiDAR make sense?

Is the Rivian R2's real-world range good enough, or is charging speed more important?

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Hyundai Motor Group is officially overhauling its digital cabin. Starting in 2027, Kia vehicles will begin featuring Pleos Connect—a brand-new, Android-based infotainment platform designed to power the next generation of software-defined electric vehicles.

In today’s episode, we break down what this major tech shift means for future EV owners:

• What is Pleos Connect and how does Android Automotive OS change the in-car experience?
• Why Hyundai and Kia are keeping physical backup buttons alongside giant touchscreens.
• Gleo AI: How context-aware voice assistance actually works on the road.
• Scaling to 20 Million EVs: The plan for continuous over-the-air updates and a third-party app ecosystem.

Got thoughts on pure touchscreens vs. physical buttons in modern EVs? Leave a comment or send us a message in the Spotify app!

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#ElectricVehicles #EVNews #Kia #Hyundai #PleosConnect #CarTech #SoftwareDefinedVehicle #TheFridayCharge

BMW has officially built its 50,000th Neue Klasse iX3 electric SUV at its new Debrecen plant in Hungary—marking the fastest production ramp-up in BMW Group history.

Join us for a full breakdown of the flagship iX3 50 xDrive and the newly announced entry-level iX3 40. We discuss battery capacities, 800-volt 400kW charging speeds, real-world range, and BMW's plans for the upcoming iX4 and high-performance M models through 2027.

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This week's topics include:
🔹 Ford chooses Apple Maps as the native navigation system for its next-generation UEV platform, complete with EV route planning, battery preconditioning, and BlueCruise integration.
🔹 Subaru officially delays its upcoming three-row Getaway EV following Toyota's Highlander EV production delay.
🔹 GM expands Energy Pass with Plug & Charge support for ChargePoint stations—and even older EVs like the Chevy Bolt can take advantage.
🔹 Ford introduces a new, lower-cost home backup power solution for the F-150 Lightning using the new Generlink system.
🔹 Volvo's new EX60 beats its original EPA range estimates.
🔹 Pilot reaches a major milestone by opening its 300th EV fast-charging location across the United States.
🔹 Joel shares the latest rumors and discussion surrounding a possible Toyota Corolla EV.

Whether you're an EV owner, prospective buyer, or simply love staying on top of the latest electric vehicle news, we've got you covered every Friday.

The world's best-selling car is finally going electric, but Toyota is facing an uphill battle it didn't see coming.

A rare behind-the-scenes look inside Toyota’s R&D center revealed prototype footage of the upcoming Toyota Corolla EV, alongside candid admissions from top leadership that the company is struggling to keep pace with rapid Chinese EV development.

Instead of a clean-sheet EV skateboard architecture, Toyota is underpinning the next-gen Corolla with a flexible platform designed for BEVs, Plug-In Hybrids, Traditional Hybrids, and Gas engines. Is this "one-size-fits-all" approach the ultimate bridge strategy—or a dangerous compromise in 2026?