About this episode
A casual yet informative discussion unfolds as the hosts reflect on their recent experiences with the Lordstown Endurance and its tumultuous journey through bankruptcy and ownership changes. They dive into the latest EV news, including the Yang Wang U9's record-breaking speed and the shifting strategies of automakers like Ram and Hyundai regarding electric and hybrid vehicles. The episode also touches on the cancellation of the Nissan Aria in the U.S. market, while exploring the implications of evolving battery technologies, including Panasonic's innovative anode-free design. The hosts maintain a light-hearted banter throughout, making complex topics accessible.
Ram’s battery electric pickup is dead while the range extended version lives on…with ALL the names. The Ram Ramcharger REV will be Ram’s only “electrified” pickup and will see a gasoline engine power a battery, which in turn powers electric motors — and it’s our contention that this is the right move. Are we correct? Also, Yangwang resets its own record, Jeep axes the Glatiator 4xe, BMW rides the hydrogen train, and more.
SHOW NOTES
Yangwang U9 Xtreme hits 308 mph, setting production car record: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/yangwang-u9-xtreme-hits-308mph-becomes-worlds-fastest-ever-production-car
Ram cancels battery-electric pickup, will rename Ramcharger REV: https://www.electrive.com/2025/09/15/ram-drops-bev-plans-bets-on-range-extended-1500-rev/
Jeep Gladiator 4xe axed: https://tfltruck.com/2025/09/jeep-gladiator-4xe-phev-canceled-news/
Hyundai teases EREV models coming in 2027: https://insideevs.com/news/772645/hyundai-erev-2027-release/
Hyundai to build body-on-frame midsize pickup for the U.S. market: https://www.thedrive.com/news/body-on-frame-hyundai-truck-coming-to-us-by-2030-suv-likely-next
New BMW iX5 will be offered with 5 powertrain options, including fuel cell: https://electrek.co/2025/09/22/bmw-teams-tup-with-toyota-for-ix5-hydrogen-suv-but-why/
Panasonic reportedly developing anode-free battery: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/panasonic-aims-develop-groundbreaking-ev-battery-about-two-years-2025-09-18/
Nissan dropping Ariya from U.S. market, presumably to focus on the new Leaf: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a67948305/nissan-ariya-canceled/
This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Stellantis
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar
Rimac Nevera
"...y going to build 30 of these. But how many of the Neveras were they going to build? They were going to buil..."
Toyota Corolla
"...h that limit. You don't push that limit in like a Corolla EV, like that's not, we don't need to."
Chevrolet Silverado EV
"...wing because that was what we discovered with the Silverado EV is you put a giant battery in it and it can actua..."
Jeep Wagoneer
"...will also be used for a ram badged version of the Wagoneer. Again, totally speculative, but that's one rumor..."
Ford F-150 Lightning
"Yeah. No, I think the lightning works for a lot of people. But once you really st..."
Jeep Gladiator
"...eah, we're going to do a four by E version of the Gladiator. Uh huh."
Jeep Wrangler
"I haven't heard of a change in strategy for the Wrangler and not only that from what I've heard that the f..."
Hyundai Santa Cruz
"So this would be, I guess, a step above the Santa Cruz. So this would be like a Ranger Tacoma competitor..."
Ford Ranger
"Santa Cruz. So this would be like a Ranger Tacoma competitor. So at the CEO Jose Munoz said ..."
Ford Bronco
"they could also do SUV variant. So like a Bronco or forerunner type model. But I thought about thi..."
Ford Maverick
"...egy? Because I look at between the Ranger and the Maverick, the Maverick outsells Ranger three to one in the..."
Honda Ridgeline
"...on't know if you've seen what Honda's done to the Ridgeline, but the newer Ridgelines are a lot kind of more ..."
Honda Odyssey
"...ot, but I'm trying to think them the midsize, not Odyssey. That's the minivan."
Toyota Mirai
"...be true? And she sent me a link to a listing on a Mirai. And I think literally was only $7,000 and she sa..."
Toyota Camry
"... was the equivalent of running like race gas in a Camry. Yeah, essentially."
Nissan Aria
"Okay. The Nissan Aria came out like two years ago, I think. Yeah, somet..."
Tata Motors Aria
"Okay. The Nissan Aria came out like two years ago, I think. Yeah, somet..."
Tesla Model Y
"...mething like that midsize SUV, presumably kind of Model Y competitor. Yeah."
Toyota bZ4X
"...d too many bad things about it. It's not like the BZ4X that was like it just had charging issues that ma..."
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