119 - Another month of EV sales booming, and your calls on your first EV!

The Tesla Model S is Tesla’s flagship electric sedan and is often used as a benchmark for EV performance and technology. In the podcast snippet, it’s mentioned in the context of Tesla sales figures alongside the Model 3 and Model Y, which helps illustrate how different Tesla models contribute to overall EV volume. That’s why it comes up in market-share style conversations.

The Toyota RAV4 is mentioned as the number-one vehicle in the chart, beating the Ford Ranger. It’s included to show how EVs are rising in the overall sales rankings alongside mainstream models.

The Ford Ranger is referenced as the vehicle the RAV4 beat in the sales chart. It’s used as a mainstream benchmark while the hosts discuss EVs appearing in the top-10.

BYD is presented as the standout EV seller in the top-10 list, with multiple models mentioned and strong year-on-year growth. The hosts also note BYD sells hybrids alongside fully electric cars.

The Tesla Model Y is an electric crossover that the hosts describe as the third best-selling car in the chart. It’s used as a benchmark against newer or non-Tesla EVs appearing in the top rankings.

The BYD Dolphin is a BYD electric car that the hosts say placed in the top-10 sales chart. It’s mentioned as part of BYD having multiple models in the same sales ranking.

Year-on-year (YoY) growth compares sales in a given month (or period) to the same month the previous year. The hosts use it to quantify how quickly brands like Geely and BYD are increasing sales.

Geely is discussed as a brand/company whose sales growth is quantified in the segment. The hosts mention Geely’s jump from 324 to 2,000 units, and note it sells some hybrids as well as EVs.

Government rebates are incentives that reduce the effective cost of buying an EV. The hosts say there’s uncertainty around financing and rebates, implying these incentives can materially affect demand.

EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery rather than a gasoline or diesel engine. In this episode, the caller is deciding whether to keep their current cars or switch their “runabout” to an EV due to fuel costs.

Diesel is a fuel used in compression-ignition engines, commonly found in many minivans and SUVs. Here it matters because the speaker says they were “hurting” with fuel prices, which is part of why they started looking at EVs.

The Kia Carnival is a family-focused minivan that’s typically bought for space and long-distance practicality. In this segment, the host mentions a diesel Kia Carnival as their starting point before moving toward an EV.

The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV known for being a practical daily driver with a comfortable ride and strong real-world usability. In this segment, the speaker bought a 2020 CX-5 (with a “great drive away price”) as their replacement for an older second car, then quickly started questioning whether they should have gone EV instead.

“Drive away price” is the total amount you pay to take the car home—typically including the base price plus on-road costs like registration and stamp duty (and sometimes dealer delivery). It’s a useful way to compare deals because it reflects the real out-the-door cost rather than just the advertised price.

Salary packaging is an employment benefit where part of your pay is arranged through your employer in a tax-advantaged way. In some countries, that can make an EV purchase (or lease) effectively cheaper by changing how the costs are treated for tax.

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a consumption tax applied to many goods and services. Some EV purchase/lease structures can qualify for GST-related discounts or treatment, which can materially affect the out-the-door cost.

FBT (Fringe Benefits Tax) is a tax on non-cash benefits provided by an employer. EVs can be affected by how the benefit is valued, which can change the effective cost of driving or owning one under salary packaging.

The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury SUV that’s typically discussed as a mainstream family option within BMW’s lineup. In the podcast snippet, it’s referenced in a way that suggests a comparison or a naming/variant mix-up (the “extended the x5” and “cx 5 to ex 5” wording). It may be brought up to anchor what people consider when moving between different SUV types and powertrains.

Regenerative braking is how many EVs slow down while turning some of the car’s motion back into electricity. Instead of wasting that energy as heat in the brake pads, the motor acts like a generator and recharges the battery.

In car terms, the boot is the trunk area used for storing luggage and cargo. The hosts say the boot storage space was fantastic, even though they felt the interior was a bit small for their three kids.

“Over the air” (OTA) updates are software updates sent wirelessly to a car, usually over the cellular network. The segment suggests the car may receive tweaks via OTA, but the dealer isn’t fully confirming what will change.

A trickle charger is a low-power EV charging setup intended for slower charging over a longer period. The caller plans to use one initially, implying they’ll rely on overnight/slow charging until their situation is fully sorted.

The Dodge Charger is a performance-oriented sedan that’s often associated with the brand’s muscle-car heritage. In this podcast context, it’s mentioned specifically around charging setup—choosing a trickle charger and receiving a wall charger—so the discussion is likely about how owners handle home charging. That makes it relevant even in an EV-focused conversation.

A wall charger is a dedicated EV charging unit installed at home (often a “home charger”) that can deliver higher power than a basic portable setup. Here, the promotion includes a wall charger even though the buyer didn’t take financing.

Three-phase power is an electrical supply method that can allow EV chargers to deliver more power efficiently. The caller mentions they have single-phase at home, so the electrician will need to account for that when installing/using the charger.

Single-phase power is a simpler household electrical supply compared with three-phase. For EV charging, single-phase can limit the maximum charging power depending on the charger and the car’s onboard charging capability.

“Roadside assistive” refers to roadside assistance services that help if a vehicle breaks down or becomes inoperable. In EV ownership, this can include towing or recovery when the car can’t be driven to a safe location.

The hosts contrast EV efficiency on freeways versus stop-and-go driving. EVs often do better in city traffic because they can recapture energy during deceleration (regenerative braking) and because speeds are lower, reducing aerodynamic losses.

An EV still uses a 12-volt battery to power low-voltage electronics like alarms, sensors, and control modules. The hosts describe how 12-volt battery faults (and software behavior that can drain it) can trigger roadside problems even though the main high-voltage battery is fine.

A software update is a change to the car’s onboard computer code that can fix bugs or adjust how systems behave. Here, the hosts say the 12-volt battery issues in the Kia EV6/EV9 were “fixed in the software update,” but they still encountered cases where the problem persisted or a different fault (a faulty battery) was involved.

The Kia EV6 is an electric crossover built to offer practical range and fast, modern EV usability. The podcast context highlights a specific ownership topic: the 12-volt battery system used alongside the main high-voltage battery, and that a software fix addressed an issue. That kind of detail matters because the 12-volt battery can affect starting and electronics even though the car is electric.

The Kia EV9 is a larger electric SUV designed for families who want more space than a typical crossover. The podcast context again points to the 12-volt battery system shared across EV6/EV9 and notes that a software fix resolved an issue. That’s relevant because the 12-volt battery can impact the car’s electronics and overall drivability.

A rear seat sensor is a low-voltage input used to detect conditions related to the rear seating area, often for safety systems or occupancy-related logic. In the segment, an alarm was triggered due to a rear seat sensor problem, and the hosts discuss how that fault might contribute to draining the 12-volt battery.

The hosts are describing “sleep” vs “awake” behavior: when a car is parked, software may keep systems active to check for a nearby key, unlock request, or other triggers. If the car doesn’t fully go into low-power mode, it can drain the 12-volt battery, causing faults even though the main EV battery isn’t being used for those electronics.

The “98 kilowatt battery” refers to the EV’s high-voltage traction battery capacity (commonly discussed in kWh, but the speaker uses kW). This is the main battery that powers the electric drive, but it typically can’t be used to directly jump-start the separate 12-volt system.

A 12-volt jump starter is a portable battery pack used to revive a flat 12V battery without needing another vehicle. In EVs, this matters because the 12V system can be what prevents doors, charging, or electronics from working—even when the high-voltage battery is fine.

C-tek is mentioned as a supplier of 12-volt jump starters/chargers. The host’s point is that having the right 12V accessory can prevent EV “dead 12V” situations when the car hasn’t been driven for a week or two.

“Critical condition level” is a warning state indicating the car has detected a serious issue, commonly related to low 12-volt battery voltage in EVs. When the 12V is low, the car may limit functions and alert you that the battery needs attention.

“Parking mode” is a dash-cam setting where the camera monitors while the car is parked, typically using the 12-volt system for power. If the dash cam is wired to the 12V, it can contribute to 12V drain when the car sits for days or weeks.

The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid that uses both an electric drive system and a gasoline engine. The podcast context focuses on the fact that the car has a separate 12-volt battery in addition to its larger battery pack, and that this smaller battery can be a key part of reliability and ownership. That’s important because 12-volt issues can cause problems even when the main battery is fine.

A dash cam is an in-car camera that records while driving and can also draw power when parked. The segment notes that the dash cam is set to stop drawing power when the 12-volt battery drops to a certain level, preventing it from draining the auxiliary battery.

Range calculation is the EV’s estimate of how far you can drive before the high-voltage battery runs out. It can feel unpredictable because it’s influenced by recent driving, speed, temperature, and charging habits, which is why some owners experience “range anxiety.”

Range anxiety is the worry that an EV won’t have enough battery to reach the destination or a charging point. It often improves after ownership because drivers learn how their real-world consumption affects the estimate.

Charging at night changes when the EV draws electricity from the grid, which can matter for convenience, cost, and how comfortable someone feels about leaving it charging unattended. The hosts suggest thinking about the time of day to charge as part of planning around charging routines.

A home battery stores electricity generated by solar (or drawn from the grid) so it can be used later. In this segment, the caller is deciding whether to charge the EV to 100% during a free solar window and then discharge later at night.

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy—how much electricity you use over time. EV charging costs are usually quoted per kWh, so the “cents per kilowatt-hour” numbers in this segment are directly telling you what it costs to fill the battery.

Time-of-use pricing means electricity costs different amounts at different times of day (for example, a free or cheap midday window versus a more expensive overnight or evening period). This segment revolves around comparing those rates to decide whether it’s worth charging the EV from the grid or using solar and a home battery.

A charging schedule is a set of times when you allow the EV (or home battery) to charge or discharge. EV owners use it to take advantage of cheaper electricity periods (like overnight rates or solar “free” windows) and avoid charging during expensive hours.

Solar feed-in is when excess solar electricity is exported back to the grid, typically paid at a set rate. The caller compares feed-in earnings (e.g., “only 15 cents”) versus using that solar energy to charge the EV or home battery instead.

“Draw on the grid” means pulling electricity from the utility power network to charge the EV. The discussion highlights avoiding higher-cost grid electricity by charging during cheaper periods or using solar when available.

An overnight rate is an electricity pricing plan where the cost per kilowatt-hour is lower during specific nighttime hours. EV owners use it to charge when electricity is cheaper, reducing the cost of filling the battery.

Charging during off-peak hours means using the EV charging window when electricity is priced lower. This can significantly reduce charging costs compared with charging at peak times, especially for drivers who charge at home every night.

Charging schedules let you program the EV to start charging during specific windows, such as off-peak or overnight hours. This helps avoid drawing from the grid at expensive times and can also align charging with when you want the battery ready.

The infotainment system is the car’s built-in touchscreen/controls for media, navigation, and vehicle settings. In EVs, it often includes charging controls like scheduling when the car should start charging or be ready by a certain time.

“Granny charging” is a slang term for charging an EV slowly using a standard household outlet (often with a portable charger). It typically delivers lower power than dedicated EV charging equipment, so it takes longer to refill the battery.

“Charging overnight” is shifting EV charging to off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper or when your home energy system can support it. The hosts connect it to running household loads and managing when the battery is charged.

Kilowatts (kW) measure power—how fast electricity is being used or delivered. In EV charging, the charger’s kW rating and your charging rate determine how quickly the battery can be filled.

“Discharge into battery” means sending energy from the home system (or grid) into the EV’s battery. In practice, it’s about the direction of energy flow and the charging/discharging power limits that determine how much energy you can move.

“Free electricity” is a marketing incentive where a plan advertises low or zero cost for certain charging windows. The hosts caution that the overall plan can still be more expensive due to higher rates at other times.

“Night time rate” is the electricity price during off-peak hours, often used to encourage overnight EV charging. The host compares the night rate (in cents per kilowatt) against what they were already paying to judge whether the plan is worthwhile.

“Cost per kilometer” is a practical way to compare running costs between an EV and a petrol car. Instead of comparing electricity price vs fuel price directly, you convert both into a per-distance number using your car’s real-world range and energy use.

A “lithium phosphate” battery refers to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is known for good thermal stability and often a longer cycle life. EV charging behavior and long-term durability can differ from other lithium chemistries like nickel-based packs.

“Nickel catamine battery” appears to be a transcription error for a nickel-based EV battery chemistry (commonly nickel-manganese-cobalt, NMC). Nickel-based packs typically have different energy density and charging characteristics than LFP, which can affect how you plan charging and expect long-term wear.

Charging to 100% means filling the battery to its maximum usable capacity. It’s often reserved for longer trips because the battery experiences more stress when held at very high state of charge for extended periods.

Charging to 80% means limiting the EV’s state of charge for everyday use, rather than routinely filling the battery to 100%. Many EV battery-care recommendations suggest staying in a mid-range (like 20–80%) to reduce stress at the high end of the battery’s capacity.

Battery health refers to how well an EV battery can store energy and deliver power over time. Charging habits—like how high you charge (state of charge) and whether you mostly use slow vs fast charging—can affect how quickly the battery degrades.

Slow charging uses a lower power charger, so the battery warms up less and the charging stress is typically lower. In EV battery-care discussions, slow charging is often recommended for day-to-day charging because it tends to support long-term battery health.

Fast charging delivers much higher power to the battery, which can increase heat and charging stress. That’s why many EV battery-health guidelines suggest using fast charging sparingly and relying on slower charging for routine top-ups.

The BYD Atto 3 is a compact electric SUV from BYD, known for offering a lot of equipment for the money. In this segment, Emma describes switching from a gas car to the Atto 3 after test driving it and liking its real-world range for local driving.

A hybrid is a vehicle that uses more than one power source—typically an internal-combustion engine plus an electric motor/battery. Emma says she wanted a hybrid for a while, but budget constraints pushed her toward an EV instead.

The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander is a modern plug-in-capable (depending on trim/market) SUV that represents Emma’s previous gas-car baseline before moving to an EV. The comparison is used to highlight how a similar budget can feel like a big upgrade when switching to an electric vehicle.

An EV charging podcast focuses on how to charge electric vehicles—typically covering charger networks, payment apps, charging speeds, and route planning. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a source of practical knowledge alongside the main podcast.

A test drive is a short, supervised drive arranged by a dealership so you can evaluate how a car feels and behaves. For EVs, test drives often also help you understand real-world driving range and how the car’s systems (like charging guidance) fit your routine.

EV charging apps show nearby charging locations and often include details like connector type and availability. This matters because it helps drivers plan charging stops based on what’s actually accessible along their route.

Trip planning in an EV context uses route and charging data to estimate where you’ll need to stop to keep enough battery for the drive. The app can also incorporate factors that affect range, like elevation changes.

Elevation is the height change along a route, and it can significantly affect EV efficiency. Climbing uses more energy, while descending can help recover some energy through regenerative braking (depending on the vehicle and conditions).

“Please charge” is a low-state-of-charge warning message that prompts the driver to recharge soon. It typically appears when the battery is getting low enough that the car wants to prevent you from running out before you can reach a charger.

On many EVs, the car may include a cable for home charging, but public charging often requires a different cable or connector type. The “charger cable” is the physical lead that connects the EV to the charging station so the station can deliver power.

Superchargers are Tesla’s fast-charging network. They’re often designed to work primarily with Tesla vehicles, which is why the speaker calls them “Tesla only.”

“Slowest charging possible” refers to using a charging option with lower power output, which takes longer to add range. Even if you can plug in, the charging speed can vary by station, connector, and how the site is configured.

A fast charger is a higher-power EV charging station intended to add significant range in less time than standard charging. The speaker contrasts it with the “slowest charging possible” situation at the shopping center.

NRMA is a major Australian motoring and roadside-assistance organization. In this context, it’s mentioned as operating a fast-charging site (“NRMA fast charger”) in Maitland.

Trickle charging is a low-power way to top up an EV’s battery, typically using a slower charger. It’s designed for overnight or long-duration charging rather than quick turnaround.

Home charging is using an EV charger at your residence to recharge the battery between trips. It’s often the most convenient and cost-effective approach, but it depends on having suitable parking and power access.

EVSE stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment—the charging station hardware. An “EVSE error” indicates a communication or handshake problem between the charger and the car, which can prevent charging.

PlugShare is a community app that maps EV charging locations and lets users report real-world status and issues. It helps drivers avoid broken chargers or stations that aren’t working reliably.

Off-street parking refers to having a dedicated place to park away from the public road, such as a driveway or garage. For EV owners, it often determines whether you can install or reliably use home charging.

The Holden Commodore is an Australian-made car name used here to describe which vehicle needs to be moved to make room for EV charging. It’s a contextual detail rather than a technical discussion.

A charging network is the collection of EV charging stations and operators that drivers rely on for charging away from home. The hosts are pointing out that it’s not just one location that can be a problem—multiple sites can affect real-world usability, which matters a lot for EV adoption.

A novated lease is an arrangement where an employee leases a car, then the employer “takes over” the lease payments and related running costs through payroll. This can change the tax treatment of the vehicle, which is why it often comes up alongside EV tax incentives like the FBT exemption.

Cupra is a performance-focused brand within the Volkswagen Group, known for sporty versions of mainstream platforms. In the transcript, Cupra is mentioned as the EV the speaker received a subsidy on.

“Max charge” refers to setting an EV charging limit to the highest available state-of-charge (SOC) so the battery charges as full as the system allows. The transcript uses it as a phone notification example tied to charging behavior.