{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"263: Slate's Biggest Competitor","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/263-slate-s-biggest-competitor","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/static1.squarespace.com/static/5deeb1c3bfc3d241119aea14/t/69c42cc7c23ef97bd1afd5da/1774464325039/Audio-final.mp3","description":"With the world’s energy sources being uncertain thanks to the war, let’s talk EVs. For starters, Jay Leno recently drove the Tesla Semi (which has already undergone a redesign) and the Slate (we reveal Slate’s real competitor). Also, Lexus unveils a luxury EV sedan, Mercedes is working on a Maybach minivan, Bentley kills (most of) its future EV lineup, and more!Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application.Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered.SHOW NOTESEVs have already displaced 70% of the oil coming out of the Persian Gulf: https://thedriven.io/2026/03/19/global-ev-fleet-avoided-oil-consumption-equivalent-to-70-pct-of-irans-exports-in-2025/ Jay Leno drives the refreshed Semi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXSq1dmEB8 Lexus announces ES EV prices: https://electrek.co/2026/03/19/lexus-launches-es-ev-with-300-mi-range-undercuts-rival-prices/ Bentley reportedly stops development on four out of five planned EVs: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bentley/369182/bentley-kills-almost-all-its-future-ev-models-hybrids-taking-centre-stage Mercedes reportedly working on a Maybach ultra-luxury EV minivan: https://insideevs.com/news/790984/mercedes-maybach-vls-teaser-image/ BMW, Mini, Mercedes-Benz outperform EPA range estimates in Consumer Reports testing, Ford, Lucid, Rivian and Tesla at bottom: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/real-world-ev-range-tests-models-that-beat-epa-estimates-a1103288135/ Patent applications reveals concept for trailer-mounted auxiliary battery for Cybertruck: https://electrek.co/2026/03/23/tesla-patent-dual-battery-range-extender-trailer/ This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. SanchezEpisode art courtesy SlateMusic courtesy Twisterium at PixabayWebsite: https://www.thewattcar.comBuy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/storeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar"},"annotations":[{"startTime":64.3,"endTime":72.8,"type":"term","title":"87 octane","url":"/glossary/87-octane","quote":"...now the case with diesel gas, the diesel fuel, I'm definitely being proved right going with something that takes 87 octane...","canonicalId":"term:87-octane","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Octane rating indicates a gasoline’s resistance to knocking (premature combustion). The speaker notes their setup “takes 87 octane,” implying a lower-octane fuel requirement than some performance-oriented engines, which can affect operating cost and fueling convenience.","simplifiedExplanation":"Octane is a rating for gasoline that helps prevent the engine from “knocking.” They’re saying their truck can run on 87-octane gas."}},{"startTime":135.6,"endTime":172.4,"type":"concept","title":"diesel price","url":"/glossary/diesel-price","quote":"So you want to care to guess the diesel price I saw a few days ago? ... the price I found as of, I think about three days ago, 745 a gallon for diesel in the Monterey area.","canonicalId":"concept:diesel-price","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The hosts are discussing diesel fuel pricing, including a specific “per gallon” number. Diesel prices matter to EV owners too because they affect the cost of shipping goods and the overall economy, which can influence EV pricing and incentives indirectly.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re talking about how expensive diesel fuel is right now. Even if you drive an EV, fuel prices can still affect the cost of everything else."}},{"startTime":172.38,"endTime":183.48,"type":"car","title":"Mercury Monterey","url":"/cars/mercury/monterey","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/04-07_Mercury_Monterey.jpg","quote":"...ut three days ago, 745 a gallon for diesel in the Monterey area.  I think that's on the high side.","canonicalId":"car:mercury:monterey","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Mercury Monterey is a vehicle name associated with older Mercury models, and in this podcast context it’s used as a reference point for local fuel pricing discussion. The mention focuses on diesel costs in the Monterey area rather than EV technology. It’s included because the conversation compares energy costs and driving expenses.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mercury Monterey is an older-style vehicle name. In this podcast, it’s mentioned while talking about how expensive diesel fuel is in a specific area. The point is about fuel cost, not electric charging.","imageAttribution":"MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":186.0,"endTime":192.5,"type":"company","title":"GasBuddy","url":"/glossary/gasbuddy","quote":"I looked on gas buddy and I think it's like around mid to high six. ... This is kind of the consensus around here, but yeah, that's where we are.","canonicalId":"company:gasbuddy","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"GasBuddy is a consumer fuel-price tracking app/site that aggregates reported gas prices. The hosts use it to estimate current gasoline pricing in their area, which is a common way people compare pump prices.","simplifiedExplanation":"GasBuddy is a website/app where people share gas prices. The hosts used it to check what gas costs near them."}},{"startTime":275.4,"endTime":333.6,"type":"concept","title":"EVs","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"Which is claiming EVs have already displaced 70% of the oil coming out of the Persian Gulf for whatever that's worth. I guess the point being greater adoption of EVs would lessen the price shock and economic kind of ripple effect of high fuel prices.","canonicalId":"concept:ev","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"EVs (electric vehicles) run on electricity stored in a battery rather than burning gasoline or diesel. In energy-policy discussions, EV adoption is often used to estimate how much petroleum demand can be reduced.","simplifiedExplanation":"EVs are cars that use electricity instead of gas. Because they don’t burn gasoline, they can reduce how much oil people need to buy and import."}},{"startTime":357.7,"endTime":369.5,"type":"concept","title":"Southeast Asia","url":"/glossary/southeast-asia","quote":"[357.7s]  And they also note the market uptake in some developing countries have gone up pretty considerably for EVs, specifically Southeast Asia.\n[369.5s]  It's like it's on the double digits.","canonicalId":"concept:southeast-asia","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Southeast Asia is a region of multiple countries that the speakers call out for rising EV uptake. This matters because EV growth outside the U.S./Europe can shift global demand for batteries, charging infrastructure, and energy policy."}},{"startTime":385.4,"endTime":419.3,"type":"concept","title":"EV adoption","url":"/glossary/ev-adoption","quote":"[385.4s]  How did EV adoption change?\n[389.0s]  How did certain countries change?\n[391.4s]  Did it jumpstart anything?","canonicalId":"concept:ev-adoption","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"EV adoption refers to how quickly electric vehicles are being purchased and used in a given market. In the episode, the speakers are discussing how geopolitical events could change the pace of EV adoption over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"EV adoption just means how many people are starting to buy and drive electric cars. The discussion is about whether world events could make that happen faster or slower."}},{"startTime":472.8,"endTime":479.7,"type":"concept","title":"gas lines","url":"/glossary/gas-lines","quote":"[464.7s]  We produce very little of our own relatively compared to Saudi Arabia, Middle East, so forth.\n[472.8s]  So when, you know, Middle Eastern countries cut off our oil, those gas lines were not fake.\n[479.7s]  There was literally no fuel.","canonicalId":"concept:gas-lines","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Gas lines” refers to long queues at fuel stations during shortages or supply disruptions. The episode contrasts the 1970s—when the U.S. was highly dependent on imported oil—with today’s situation to illustrate how energy security affects consumer behavior and policy."}},{"startTime":487.5,"endTime":490.66,"type":"concept","title":"energy market is global","url":"/glossary/energy-market-is-global","quote":"[485.5s]  Today, we've got plenty.\n[487.5s]  It's just that the global, the energy market is global.","canonicalId":"concept:energy-market-is-global","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Saying the energy market is global means oil and other fuels are traded internationally, so disruptions in one region can affect prices and availability elsewhere. The episode uses this to explain why the U.S. can have “plenty” of fuel yet still be influenced by worldwide supply dynamics.","simplifiedExplanation":"The energy market is global means oil and fuel are bought and sold across countries. So even if one place has enough fuel, events elsewhere can still affect prices and supply."}},{"startTime":585.0,"endTime":587.8,"type":"term","title":"on the freeway","url":"/glossary/on-the-freeway","quote":"Well, not quite, but on the freeway. [587.8s]  Fair enough. [589.2s]  I mean, the Corvette was there.","canonicalId":"term:on-the-freeway","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Fuel economy often differs by driving type—highway/freeway driving can be steadier than city driving, which can improve mpg. The speaker is clarifying that the better mileage claim applies specifically to freeway conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"Gas mileage changes depending on how you drive. Highway driving is usually smoother and can get better mileage than stop-and-go city traffic."}},{"startTime":930.1,"endTime":957.5,"type":"concept","title":"cab over design","url":"/glossary/cab-over-design","quote":"They seem to run a cab over design more. And I thought that that was for overall length requirements.","canonicalId":"concept:cab-over-design","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A cab-over design (often called cab-forward) puts the driver’s cab above or very close to the front axle, shortening the vehicle’s overall length. It’s common in many European markets where length regulations and tight urban streets make compact truck packaging valuable.","simplifiedExplanation":"Some trucks are built so the driver sits more forward, closer to the front wheels. That can make the whole truck shorter, which helps in places with stricter length rules or narrow roads."}},{"startTime":1006.0,"endTime":1015.8,"type":"term","title":"drag coefficient","url":"/glossary/drag-coefficient","quote":"But anyway, so they're claiming a drag coefficient of about 0.40, which is actually really impressive because that's\nactually even a little better than like a Ford F-150 Lightning.","canonicalId":"term:drag-coefficient","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The drag coefficient (often written as Cd) measures how easily air flows around a vehicle. Lower Cd generally means less aerodynamic resistance, which helps efficiency and range—especially at highway speeds.","simplifiedExplanation":"Drag coefficient is a number that tells you how “slippery” a vehicle is through the air. A lower number usually means the car wastes less energy fighting wind."}},{"startTime":1128.2,"endTime":1135.5,"type":"concept","title":"coast to coast MCS charging","quote":"If we had coast to coast MCS charging, then yeah, say great. But yeah, we I'd say probably at least a decade out from from that being a reality.","canonicalId":"concept:coast-to-coast-mcs-charging","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.45,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Coast to coast” implies a nationwide EV fast-charging corridor that enables long-distance travel without major detours. “MCS” likely refers to a specific charging network or standard mentioned by the hosts; the core idea is that widespread fast charging would dramatically improve EV truck practicality.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Coast to coast” means chargers across the whole country. The idea is that if fast chargers were common everywhere, long trips in EV trucks would be much easier."}},{"startTime":1142.6,"endTime":1147.2,"type":"concept","title":"torque","url":"/glossary/torque","quote":"They said these have been well received by drivers. They like the they like the torque.","canonicalId":"concept:torque","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Torque is the twisting force an engine or motor produces, and it strongly influences how quickly a vehicle feels like it’s accelerating from low speeds. Electric drivetrains often deliver torque instantly, which can make EVs feel especially responsive.","simplifiedExplanation":"Torque is the force that helps the vehicle get moving. Electric motors can deliver that force right away, so the truck can feel like it accelerates quickly."}},{"startTime":1277.0,"endTime":1287.3,"type":"term","title":"AC","quote":"But for between 25 or slate, let's say like 3233 for the Ford with power windows, AC, you know, all the bells and whistles.","canonicalId":"term:ac","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“AC” means air conditioning, a standard comfort feature in most modern vehicles. Mentioning it alongside power windows suggests the comparison is about which convenience features are included in the base price.","simplifiedExplanation":"“AC” is the car’s air conditioning. The host is basically saying the Ford would come with comfort features included."}},{"startTime":1277.0,"endTime":1287.3,"type":"term","title":"power windows","url":"/glossary/power-windows","quote":"But for between 25 or slate, let's say like 3233 for the Ford with power windows, AC, you know, all the bells and whistles.","canonicalId":"term:power-windows","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Power windows are windows that can be raised and lowered electronically via switches rather than manually. The speaker lists them as part of the “bells and whistles,” implying the Ford would include more convenience features at the stated price.","simplifiedExplanation":"Power windows are windows you can control with buttons instead of cranking by hand. The host is saying Ford would include features like this."}},{"startTime":1400.0,"endTime":1404.0,"type":"concept","title":"home charging","url":"/glossary/home-charging","quote":"They only just managed to get it so they could park their Model 3 on the driveway again so they can charge the thing at home.","canonicalId":"concept:home-charging","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Home charging is charging an EV at your residence, typically using a dedicated outlet or Level 2 charger. It’s a major advantage because it reduces reliance on public charging and helps keep the battery topped up for daily commuting.","simplifiedExplanation":"Home charging means plugging the electric car in at your house. It’s convenient because you can start each day with a fuller battery instead of hunting for chargers."}},{"startTime":1407.5,"endTime":1409.7,"type":"concept","title":"range anxiety","url":"/glossary/range-anxiety","quote":"So she's got range anxiety. So they're going to buy her a gas car.","canonicalId":"concept:range-anxiety","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Range anxiety is the worry that an EV won’t have enough battery to reach the destination or the next charging point. It often shows up when daily driving is longer than expected or when home charging isn’t available, forcing reliance on public chargers.","simplifiedExplanation":"Range anxiety means feeling nervous that your electric car’s battery won’t last long enough. It usually happens when you can’t charge at home and have to depend on charging stations."}},{"startTime":1918.8,"endTime":1944.8,"type":"car","title":"Ioniq 6","url":"/cars/hyundai/ioniq-6","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/2023_Hyundai_ioniq_6_Ultimate.jpg","quote":"Costs more to recycle the Ioniq six was kind of an oddball. I mean, I thought it was kind of cool. They did it, but it was like, you know, anyway, I kind of view the Ioniq six as a potential future car for me.","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:ioniq-6","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an electric sedan built on Hyundai’s dedicated EV platform. In this segment, the hosts discuss it as a potential future purchase and debate how its pricing and desirability might change over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an all-electric car (a sedan). They’re talking about whether it could be a good option for someone later, depending on how the market treats it.","imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1991.3,"endTime":2016.7,"type":"brand","title":"Bentley","url":"/glossary/bentley","quote":"Speaking of luxury EVs, this one is maybe a little more luxurious, I'd say. Now, Bentley is reading different tea leaves. Yeah. Because they're killing four out of their five planned EVs...","canonicalId":"brand:bentley","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Bentley is a British luxury automaker best known for high-end grand tourers and SUVs, and it has been planning an EV lineup to compete in the luxury electric market. In this segment, the discussion centers on Bentley changing course and canceling most of its planned EVs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Bentley is a luxury car brand. They were planning to sell several electric cars, but they’re now dropping most of those plans."}},{"startTime":2106.1,"endTime":2110.0,"type":"brand","title":"Ferrari","url":"/glossary/ferrari","quote":"But Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, the high high end, I think they can get away\n[2114.3s] with selling gas.","canonicalId":"brand:ferrari","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ferrari is an Italian sports-car maker strongly associated with performance and motorsport heritage. The hosts mention it as part of the ultra-luxury/performance set that may retain buyers even if EVs become mainstream.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ferrari is a famous Italian sports-car brand. They’re using it as an example of a brand whose fans still want the traditional gas-car experience."}},{"startTime":2106.1,"endTime":2110.0,"type":"brand","title":"Lamborghini","url":"/glossary/lamborghini","quote":"But Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, the high high end, I think they can get away\n[2114.3s] with selling gas.","canonicalId":"brand:lamborghini","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Lamborghini is an Italian performance brand famous for dramatic styling and high-output engines. Here it’s grouped with other luxury brands to discuss whether they can keep selling internal-combustion cars as EV adoption grows.","simplifiedExplanation":"Lamborghini makes very flashy, high-performance cars. The discussion is about whether brands like this can keep selling gas cars because their customers want the “show.”"}},{"startTime":2178.0,"endTime":2184.0,"type":"term","title":"cylinder count","url":"/glossary/cylinder-count","quote":"[2178.0s] Well, for some four and a half million dollar car.\n[2180.8s] For some people, cylinder count is still kind of a thing.\n[2184.0s] I mean, I even remember like in the 2010s when there was this big trend toward downsizing,","canonicalId":"term:cylinder-count","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Cylinder count” is the number of combustion cylinders in an engine (e.g., V6 vs V8 vs W16). The segment argues that for some buyers, cylinder count still signals status and “specialness,” even when downsizing and turbocharging reduce cylinder numbers.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cylinder count is how many cylinders an engine has. Some people still see a higher cylinder number as a sign the car is more special or more powerful."}},{"startTime":2184.0,"endTime":2197.8,"type":"concept","title":"downsizing","url":"/glossary/downsizing","quote":"[2184.0s] I mean, I even remember like in the 2010s when there was this big trend toward downsizing,\n[2191.1s] even going from like V6s to turbo fours, you know, there was a little bit of pushback\n[2197.8s] to that.","canonicalId":"concept:downsizing","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Downsizing is the strategy of using smaller-displacement engines (often fewer cylinders) while relying on turbocharging to maintain performance. The hosts reference a 2010s trend toward downsizing and note that some enthusiasts pushed back because they felt the cars didn’t feel as special.","simplifiedExplanation":"Downsizing means using a smaller engine but using technology like turbocharging to keep it feeling fast. The hosts are saying some people didn’t like it because they thought the cars lost character."}},{"startTime":2199.8,"endTime":2203.7,"type":"term","title":"four banger","url":"/glossary/four-banger","quote":"Oh, it's only got a four banger and they're like, well, it's just as fast and gets better fuel economy and blah, blah, blah, and they're like, oh, I don't care.","canonicalId":"term:four-banger","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Four banger” is slang for a four-cylinder engine. In this context, the speaker is arguing that even with fewer cylinders, the vehicle can still feel quick and be efficient.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Four banger” just means the car has a four-cylinder engine. The point here is that a smaller engine can still be fast and use less fuel."}},{"startTime":2207.1,"endTime":2232.4,"type":"term","title":"V10","url":"/glossary/v10","quote":"I tell you, we talked, we started this talking about my truck and I can tell you because I've got the V10... And I go, no, it's a V10 and even non car people exactly.","canonicalId":"term:v10","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A V10 is an engine with 10 cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. The speaker uses it as a status/credibility point—people who aren’t car experts still recognize a V10 as something special.","simplifiedExplanation":"A V10 is an engine with 10 cylinders. It’s usually associated with higher performance, and the speaker is saying people notice it even if they don’t know much about cars."}},{"startTime":2598.3,"endTime":2605.4,"type":"concept","title":"EPA test","url":"/glossary/epa-test","quote":"Well, this gets back to like the whole, like the EPA is a very specifically defined test. So you can, if you specify specifically to that test, it'll do really well on that test, but real world could be very different.","canonicalId":"concept:epa-test","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The EPA test is a standardized procedure the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses to estimate a vehicle’s fuel economy and, for EVs, driving range. Because it’s tightly defined, a car can perform well in the test yet differ in real-world conditions like temperature, speed, and driving style.","simplifiedExplanation":"The EPA test is a standardized way the government measures how efficient a car is. For EVs, that includes an estimated driving range. Real life can be different because weather and how you drive can change results."}},{"startTime":2741.7,"endTime":2749.2,"type":"concept","title":"kilowatt hour battery","url":"/glossary/kilowatt-hour-battery","quote":"he said he thought the ideal EV was one with like a 30 kilowatt hour battery and 150 mile range, which seems really weird for Lucid because they're known for like, you know, these super long ranges.","canonicalId":"concept:kilowatt-hour-battery","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy storage for EV batteries. Battery capacity (kWh) strongly influences potential range, but real-world range also depends on efficiency, driving conditions, and charging behavior.","simplifiedExplanation":"A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is how much energy the EV battery can store. More kWh usually means more potential range, but it’s not the only factor."}},{"startTime":2880.1,"endTime":2885.9,"type":"car","title":"Corvette","url":"/cars/chevrolet/corvette","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Chevrolet_Corvette%2C_BAS_24%2C_Brussels_%28P1170387-RR%29.jpg","quote":"But one of the guys, he had an old Corvette and he had a trailer, a utility\ntrailer that he towed behind it that was nothing but a giant gas tank.","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:corvette","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car that’s frequently used for track and drag-style experiments because it has strong aftermarket support. Here it’s described as being paired with a trailer that functions like a mobile fuel supply.","simplifiedExplanation":"A Corvette is a high-performance sports car from Chevrolet. In this story, someone set it up so it could get fuel from a trailer while driving.","imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}},{"startTime":3083.0,"endTime":3094.2,"type":"concept","title":"patent everything","url":"/glossary/patent-everything","quote":"[3083.0s] This is I mean, they just patent everything. [3085.0s] I guess that's the answer. [3086.6s] You just patent everything. [3089.2s] But this it still costs you like ten thousand dollars to do a patent.","canonicalId":"concept:patent-everything","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Patenting everything” refers to aggressively filing intellectual property claims to protect ideas, even if the product may never be built. The episode connects this to cost and opportunity cost—money spent on patents rather than engineering or manufacturing.","simplifiedExplanation":"It means a company tries to lock up lots of ideas with patents. The point being made is that patents can be expensive, and spending on them might not lead to a real product."}},{"startTime":3149.0,"endTime":3153.2,"type":"term","title":"ground clearance","url":"/glossary/ground-clearance","quote":"It's as tall as the roof of the cyber truck and the ground clearance. This is like an this is like an off road trailer.","canonicalId":"term:ground-clearance","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of a vehicle and the road. More ground clearance generally helps with rough terrain, speed bumps, and avoiding damage when driving off pavement.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ground clearance is how much space there is between the bottom of the vehicle and the ground. More clearance usually means it can handle bumps and rough roads better."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"The Watt Car","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/263-slate-s-biggest-competitor/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}