035 | Are EVs Failing? ⚡ Automakers Pull Back, Tesla Flood Test SHOCKS Drivers

Range anxiety is the fear that an EV won’t have enough battery charge to reach a destination or charging station. It’s a key factor in how people evaluate EVs, especially when charging infrastructure is uncertain or when trips are longer than typical daily driving.

Low-profile tires have a shorter sidewall height than typical tires. That usually improves steering response and looks, but it also means less cushioning when roads are wet or uneven, and they can be more vulnerable to damage in harsh conditions.

A wet rating is a tire’s performance classification/labeling related to how well it grips and handles water on the road. It’s meant to indicate expected behavior in rain, and the speaker is emphasizing that the tire’s stated wet limits matter for safety.

Low treadwear refers to tires that are wearing quickly or are already near the end of their useful life, which usually means less tread depth. Less tread depth reduces water evacuation, increasing the risk of hydroplaning in downpours.

Hydroplaning is when a tire rides up on a layer of water instead of maintaining contact with the road. It can happen in heavy rain—especially with worn tread or low-profile tires—leading to reduced steering and braking control.

Flooded roads are dangerous because water can reach critical underbody components and can also affect traction. The speaker is warning that even if water seems shallow, there’s a threshold where the car can be “done,” especially for lowered cars with less clearance.

“Submarine mode” is a humorous way to describe an EV’s behavior when it’s effectively driving through water like a boat. The key point is that the car can keep operating briefly even as water covers major exterior surfaces, though it doesn’t mean it’s safe or designed for full submersion.

Driving through floodwater is risky because water can enter critical areas and disable systems, even if the car still moves for a moment. The transcript describes reduced visibility (water over the hood and windshield) and the danger of not knowing what’s ahead, which are common hazards in flood events.

In modern cars, “sensors” usually refers to radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and other inputs used to detect obstacles and determine what the car should do. Here, the discussion is about how sensor inputs could be misleading in water due to reflections, causing false warnings or confusing obstacle detection.

Brake assist is a driver-assistance feature that detects emergency braking and boosts brake pressure to shorten stopping distance. The host is wondering whether a similar automatic “help” would kick in if the car is underwater and the driver tries to brake.

Traction control is a stability system that reduces wheel spin when the road is slippery. It does this by adjusting engine power and/or applying brakes to specific wheels, and the host compares that behavior to an “override” braking response in water.

EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by one or more electric motors and a battery pack instead of a gasoline engine. In this discussion, EVs are being weighed as a commuting option versus sticking with gas.

In an automotive context, “switchovers” refers to the industry shifting production and investment from one powertrain type to another—typically from internal-combustion vehicles to EVs. The speaker is questioning whether delaying EV investment could leave companies unprepared for that transition.

The Tesla Model S is Tesla’s early mass-market EV that helped define the modern “long-range electric sedan” formula. It debuted in the early 2010s (the speaker mentions 2012) and later spawned higher-performance variants, which is why pricing and “entry point” discussions often start with it.

The speaker is framing “EV adoption” around when electric cars reached a price and availability level that non-wealthy buyers could realistically consider. That’s essentially the shift from early-adopter EVs to mainstream EVs—often discussed in terms of affordability and mass-market timing.

The Nissan Leaf is an early, mass-market battery-electric vehicle (EV) from Nissan. It’s often used as a reference point for when mainstream automakers started offering EVs beyond niche experiments. The Leaf is especially associated with the early EV-era focus on real-world driving range.

The BMW i3 is a compact EV known for its lightweight construction and early adoption of battery-electric tech in the early 2010s. The hosts use it as a reference point for when EVs were still niche and only a few manufacturers had dedicated models.

The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car (not a pure EV) that was introduced in the early 2010s to show off electrified powertrains. In this segment, it’s grouped with the i3 as part of the early “EV experimentation” period when automakers were exploring electrification niches.

The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car that blends a lightweight, futuristic design with electric-assist performance. It’s often discussed alongside other BMW electrified models because it represents an early era of the brand’s hybrid technology. In the podcast, it’s grouped with the i3 as part of the timeline around the early 2010s.

“Retooling a factory” means changing the production setup—tools, fixtures, and assembly processes—so a plant can build a different kind of vehicle. The hosts argue that EVs may require enough changes that it takes time and cost to switch production over.

The “frame and chassis” are the vehicle’s structural foundation—what the body and drivetrain are mounted to and how loads are handled. The hosts suggest EVs often need different underlying structure than gas cars even if the outside body looks similar, because batteries and motor packaging change the engineering.

In an EV context, the battery is the large high-voltage energy storage pack that powers the electric motors. The hosts describe a “full EV” layout as one where the frame is essentially built around the battery, with motors driving the wheels.

This refers to an EV drivetrain where electric motors drive the wheels—often meaning a multi-motor setup (commonly one motor per axle, or even per wheel in some designs). The hosts are contrasting EV architecture with hybrids and explaining how EVs can use motors at the wheels to deliver traction and control.

The Hyundai Kona is a compact crossover that has been offered in multiple powertrain versions, including a full battery-electric variant. The hosts point out that some “Kona versions” are EVs while others aren’t, illustrating how manufacturers segment models by drivetrain.

Chassis construction is the way a car’s structural “skeleton” is engineered—where the frame members and reinforcements go. EVs often require different chassis construction because the battery pack adds weight and changes how forces and crash loads are managed.

Weight distribution is how a vehicle’s mass is spread front-to-rear and side-to-side. EVs typically have heavy battery packs low in the floor, which can change handling and ride behavior compared with gasoline cars.

CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology) is a major battery manufacturer that supplies cells to many automakers. The episode frames CATL as one of the “big players” in batteries, even when an EV brand like Tesla is associated with battery production.

Samsung is referenced as another major battery supplier in the EV supply chain. The episode’s takeaway is that many EV batteries are produced by specialized cell makers, then integrated into vehicles by automakers.

In automotive manufacturing, a “platform” is the shared underlying vehicle architecture—like the body structure and major mounting points—used across multiple models. The episode says batteries are adapted to the platform they’re going into, since fitment, cooling, and structural integration differ.

Lucid is an EV brand that competes in the premium electric-car market. The host mentions Lucid alongside Tesla and Rivian to argue that EV-only or EV-heavy companies have fewer options to “pull back” compared with traditional automakers that also sell gas cars.

Rivian is an EV brand best known for electric trucks and SUVs. The host groups Rivian with Tesla and Lucid to make a point about how EV-focused automakers can’t easily shift strategy the way companies with large gas lineups can.

“Lip mode” sounds like a mishearing of an EV driving mode or a power-saving/limp-home behavior. In EV contexts, the relevant idea would be reduced performance to protect the car or manage energy, but the exact term isn’t clear from the transcript.

ECU (electronic control unit) is the computer that manages how a vehicle’s systems operate, such as power delivery, charging behavior, and other control functions. In the segment, the host credits Mercedes with “interesting things” involving its ECU approach for futuristic EVs that are easier to identify as electric.

The BMW 3 Series is BMW’s long-running compact executive sedan line, used as a benchmark for “normal” everyday car proportions and driving feel. Here, the host says BMW’s new i3 is meant to function like the 3 Series lineup, and that it could also be used as a base for future gas-powered 3 Series variants.

A tachometer measures engine speed (RPM) and is a key driver feedback instrument in traditional cars. The host says BMW makes EVs feel more like regular cars by using familiar cues like a tachometer (and pedal feel), even though EVs don’t use an engine in the same way as gas cars.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup, built to bring EV power to a truck platform. It’s often discussed because it combines the practicality people want from a pickup with the benefits of an electric drivetrain. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as a reason many people like it, including its look.

Towing is pulling a trailer or RV behind a vehicle, which increases aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. For EVs, towing is especially important because it can significantly reduce battery range compared to non-towing driving.

The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck known for its durability and off-road-friendly design. In the podcast, it’s referenced as a possible match for a truck seen in the situation, highlighting how common and recognizable the Tacoma is. It’s often discussed when people are trying to identify what kind of truck they saw.

The Tesla Cybertruck is an electric pickup designed with a distinctive, angular body and a focus on utility. It’s frequently mentioned because it’s unusual in appearance and often shows up in videos and real-life hauling scenarios. In the podcast, it was brought up as an EV that was hauling a large toy hauler.

The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan from Tesla, known for using a battery pack and electric drive instead of a gasoline engine. In this segment, the hosts focus on how its built-in navigation helps plan charging stops so you can reach your destination without running out of battery.

Charge time is how long it takes to add enough electricity to an EV’s battery to continue the trip. The key point is that charging isn’t instant like refueling a gas car, so it changes trip planning and total travel time.

EVs (electric vehicles) run on electric motors powered by a battery pack instead of gasoline. Because they need charging infrastructure and charging time, EV ownership often involves different trip planning than gas cars.

Autopilot refers to driver-assistance features that can handle some driving tasks, like steering and maintaining speed, while the driver supervises. In the context of EVs, it’s brought up as a convenience feature during charging or low-stress driving.

An EV generator (as used here) refers to using a generator as the electricity source to charge an EV while away from the grid. The key point is that not all generators can provide the electrical output needed for EV charging.

Range extenders are small onboard engines (often gas-powered) used to generate electricity when the EV’s battery is low. In this context, the host describes them as a “little gas powered motor” that powers a generator to keep the car going longer without needing external charging.

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car that’s widely known for fuel efficiency and everyday practicality. It often comes up in conversations about how hybrids work and why they’re popular for commuting. In this podcast context, it sounds like the Prius is being referenced as an example of a vehicle with a specific driving/efficiency behavior.

BYD is a Chinese automaker known for mass-producing EVs and batteries. The speaker mentions BYD as a likely brand that would fill the market if U.S. automakers stop innovating.

Zeekr (spoken here as “Zeekers”) is a Chinese EV brand. The speaker is using it as an example of Chinese EVs that could become more common if other automakers don’t innovate.

A tariff is a tax the government places on imported goods. The speaker is arguing that tariffs make it hard or expensive to bring certain Chinese EVs into the United States, limiting availability.

The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car known for strong acceleration and track-capable capability. It often gets discussed as a “special” model because it’s built for enthusiasts who want serious performance. In the podcast, it’s referenced in the context of trying to obtain a GT-R from Japan, which highlights its desirability.

The Lamborghini Urus is Lamborghini’s high-volume SUV, built to deliver supercar-style branding with everyday practicality. It’s often compared to mainstream crossovers because it targets buyers who want the Lamborghini badge without paying for a lower-slung supercar.

A crossover is a car type that blends features of SUVs and passenger cars, typically using a unibody platform rather than a traditional body-on-frame truck design. The segment frames “mid crossover/compact crossover” as being very close to a hatchback in day-to-day size and usability.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-sized SUV known for being a mainstream family hauler rather than a compact crossover. In this segment, it’s used as an example of the “step up” size class the speaker is thinking about when comparing SUV options.

The Porsche Cayenne is Porsche’s luxury mid-sized SUV, notable for bringing a performance-oriented brand identity to a family-friendly body style. In this discussion, it’s grouped with other “step up” SUV examples to describe the size and positioning the speaker has in mind.

The Audi Q7 is a mid-sized luxury SUV, known for offering three-row seating and a more upscale interior than typical mainstream SUVs. The speaker uses it as an example of the mid-sized SUV “range” that many automakers have offered for a long time.

“EV hot takes” refers to strongly opinionated, often controversial viewpoints about electric vehicles. In this segment, it’s used as a playful framing for discussing whether EVs are succeeding or failing in the market.