101 - An online car dealer to sell your EV or buy your next
About this episode
Trevor Long and Steven Finneck celebrate the 101st episode of their podcast, discussing the growing market for electric vehicles (EVs) and the unique online car dealership, Karma. They explore the experiences of EV owners, including a caller's transition from a Mazda to a Hyundai Kona EV, highlighting the importance of battery health and charging options. The episode features insights from Peter Wilson of Karma, who explains their model of buying and selling used cars, including EVs, and the advantages of this approach over traditional trade-ins. Listeners are encouraged to share their EV journeys.
Hyundai Kona Electric
"Well, I'm a huge fan of an EV point that I've got my second EV. Hyundai... So quality and finish understood and the range and economy of the Conor is just I can't you can't beat it really. That was your first and that was your first the first one you bought was the Kona."
The Kona Electric is a small SUV that runs entirely on electricity. It’s known for being reliable and having a good range, so it’s a popular choice for people who want an electric car without breaking the bank.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a compact all‑electric SUV that offers a practical range for daily driving, solid build quality, and a reputation for reliability. It’s part of Hyundai’s push into affordable electric vehicles.
paddles
"Yeah, through the paddles. He's got the Regent paddles which I love because I use cruise control 98% of the time."
Paddles are little switches on the steering wheel that let you change gears or control power while driving, so you don’t have to touch the gear stick.
Paddles are small levers located on the steering wheel that allow drivers to manually shift gears or adjust engine power without taking their hands off the wheel.
seven kilowatt dual charger
"I do. I've got a seven kilowatt dual charger. Yeah."
It’s a device you plug into your wall at home that charges an electric car. This one can give up to seven kilowatts of power, which is a bit faster than the basic chargers most people use.
A dual charger is a home charging unit that can deliver up to seven kilowatts of power, allowing an electric vehicle to recharge its battery faster than a standard 3.7 kW charger.
EVs
"[475.0s] Is there anything that you pass on to people when they're thinking EVs or are you just all in?"
EVs are cars that use electric power from batteries, so they don't need gas tanks or spark plugs. They’re quieter and cleaner to drive.
EVs stands for electric vehicles, cars that run primarily on electricity stored in batteries instead of gasoline or diesel.
cruise control
"And I got to the point where she was even using cruise control and lane centering and all sorts of stuff on the way home."
It’s a feature that lets your car keep going at the speed you pick, so you don’t have to press the gas pedal all the time.
Cruise control is an electronic system that automatically maintains a vehicle’s speed at a set level without the driver having to keep their foot on the accelerator.
lane centering
"And I got to the point where she was even using cruise control and lane centering and all sorts of stuff on the way home."
It’s like a gentle hand that helps you stay in the middle of your lane, so you don’t drift toward the edge.
Lane centering is a driver‑assist feature that keeps the vehicle centered within its lane by making small steering adjustments automatically.
EV cars
"That's which you've never done before in EV cars. That's a leap."
These are cars that use electricity stored in batteries to move, so they don’t need gas and produce no exhaust fumes.
EV cars are electric vehicles that run solely on battery‑powered electric motors, unlike conventional gasoline or diesel cars.
WLB T
"[559.0s] And it's like the WLB T is 444 on 19s and 505 on 17s."
WLB T is a way to say how long the car’s wheels are apart from each other. It helps people understand if a car is big or small and how it might drive.
WLB T stands for Wheelbase Length in the transverse (side-to-side) direction, a measurement of how far apart the front and rear wheels are. It’s used to describe vehicle size and handling characteristics.
V2L
"[568.0s] Um, it's got V2L."
V2L lets you plug a laptop, heater, or other gadget into your car and use the car’s battery to power it. It’s like a portable charger that works while you’re on the road.
V2L means Vehicle-to-Load, a technology that lets a car’s battery power external devices or appliances directly from the vehicle. It’s useful for camping, emergencies, or off-grid power.
V2G
"[570.0s] Therefore V2G, which is coming up soon, hopefully."
V2G is a way your electric car could give power back to the electricity network, like a battery that helps keep the lights on when everyone else needs it.
V2G stands for Vehicle-to-Grid, a future technology where electric vehicles can send power back to the electrical grid. It helps balance energy demand and can provide revenue or savings for owners.
plug inside the car for a normal household plug
"[574.0s] Um, it's got the plug inside the car for a normal household plug."
It means your car has a regular power socket inside, so you can plug in things like a laptop or small appliance just like you would at home.
This refers to an onboard power outlet that matches standard home outlets (like a 120V or 240V socket), allowing users to plug in appliances directly from the vehicle’s battery.
Subaru XV
"And I previously had a Subaru XV. Yep."
The XV is a small SUV from Subaru that comes with all‑wheel drive, making it good for different road conditions. It’s a popular choice for families and outdoor adventures.
The Subaru XV, also known as the Crosstrek in some markets, is a compact crossover SUV introduced in 2012. It offers standard all‑wheel drive and a practical, boxy design.
rim sizes
"Obviously, you have a choice of rim sizes. But on the side, even higher than that. They said, no, no, no, you're getting 90s. I said, what, I want 17s."
Rim size is how big the wheel is, measured in inches. It tells you what tires can go on it and can change how the car feels when you drive.
Rim size refers to the diameter of a wheel, usually measured in inches. It determines which tires fit and can affect handling, ride comfort, and the overall appearance of a vehicle.
Master 2
"[751.0s] I've currently got a Master 2. [754.0s] It's a little runabout thing."
The Master 2 is a small van made by Nissan. It’s handy for moving stuff around because it’s not too big and uses fuel efficiently.
The Nissan Master 2 is a compact van produced by Nissan from the late 1990s through the early 2010s. It’s popular in Japan and other markets for its small footprint, good fuel economy, and practical cargo space.
Mazda 2
"Smaller than a Mazda 2 wouldn't be much. I don't think you'd notice it inside, but it is genuinely a Mazda 2 competitor on price as well"
The Mazda 2 is a small, budget-friendly car that’s easy to drive and good for city commuting.
The Mazda 2 is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese automaker Mazda, known for its affordable price and efficient performance.
BYD Dolphin 2
"[897.0s] It's a Dolphin 2, not Dolphins, [898.0s] another off-and-beard, other off-and-beard, [899.0s] more range. [900.0s] I'm not too familiar with that one, so. [903.0s] So BYD already have the Dolphin on the market [906.0s] that Stephen suggests, [908.0s] which isn't quite a small car,"
The BYD Dolphin 2 is a small electric car from the Chinese company BYD. It’s designed to be cheap and practical, with a modest driving range suitable for city use.
The BYD Dolphin 2 is a compact electric hatchback produced by Chinese automaker BYD. It offers a small footprint with decent range and is positioned as an affordable entry‑level EV.
Nissan Dolphin
"to anyone that owns a Dolphin, I think the add-on 1 is a far better looking car than the Dolphin."
The Nissan Dolphin is a small, everyday car that was popular in Japan. It’s easy to drive and has a simple design.
The Nissan Dolphin is a compact car that was sold primarily in Japan and some other markets during the 1990s. It’s known for its boxy styling and practicality.
Nissan C-Line 6
"In the same way that I think the C-line 6 has aged, whereas the C-line 7 has this kind of model design"
The Nissan C-Line 6 is a small car that was made for city driving. It’s the sixth version of this model.
The Nissan C-Line 6 refers to the sixth generation of Nissan’s subcompact car line, which was sold mainly in Japan and some Asian markets. It featured a compact design suitable for city driving.
EV
"[1005.0s] So was that an anticipation of you getting an EV"
An EV is a car that uses electricity from batteries to move, so it doesn’t need gas.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car that runs on electric motors powered by batteries instead of gasoline.
Pulse Max
"[1119.0s] but the one we personally have experienced with [1121.0s] and paid for with our own money, [1123.0s] the Pulse R Plus and Max."
The Pulse Max is a bigger electric car from the same company as the R Plus. It usually has more space or different options.
The Pulse Max is another electric vehicle model from the brand Pulse, typically larger or offering different features compared to the R Plus.
801
"[1217.0s] we've got to track down an 801, [1219.0s] and drive one."
The 801 is a nickname for an old Porsche 911 model made in the mid‑1970s. People love it because it looks like a classic car and runs on a simple, reliable engine.
The 801 is the chassis code for a classic Porsche 911 produced from 1973 to 1976. It’s highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for its classic styling and mechanical simplicity.
MG
"[1223.0s] I think you should go and drive an MG."
MG is a car brand that started in Britain and now makes cars that are usually cheaper than many other brands. They try to look nice while keeping the price low.
MG, short for Morris Garages, is a British automotive marque that has been revived in recent years by the Chinese automaker SAIC. The brand is known for producing affordable, stylish cars that often feature a blend of classic styling cues and modern technology.
electric car
"[1232.0s] of different brands of electric car."
An electric car is a type of vehicle that uses batteries and electric motors to move, instead of gasoline or diesel. It doesn’t have a traditional engine and usually runs on electricity from the grid.
An electric car (EV) is a vehicle that runs on electricity stored in batteries, using one or more electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions and often have lower operating costs.
Carmer
"and that is Carmer, C-A-R-M-A"
Carmer is a website where people can buy or sell used electric cars, making it easier to find good deals on second‑hand EVs.
Carmer is an online marketplace focused on buying and selling pre‑owned electric vehicles, aiming to streamline the used EV transaction process.
Tesla
"...there were so many Tesla's sold Model 3s, Model Ys."
Tesla makes cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. They are famous for their high-tech features and good performance.
Tesla, Inc. is an American automotive and energy company known for producing electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Model 3, Model Y, Roadster, Model X, and Model S.
Lamborghini
"[1748.0s] Lamborghini's. We'll be able to look at our site."
Lamborghini makes very fast, fancy cars that are often seen on the news and in movies. They’re famous for their sharp designs and powerful engines.
Lamborghini is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for high-performance, exotic vehicles such as the Aventador and Huracán.
Karma
"[2111.0s] That's Peter Wills from Karma. [2115.0s] C-A-R-M-A is the website."
Karma makes fancy electric cars that are very expensive and built with a lot of attention to detail.
Karma Automotive is an American luxury electric vehicle manufacturer known for its high-end, hand‑crafted cars.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.