AD #4310 - Tata Pivots from JLR to China; Used EV Sales Surging; Lithium-Air Batteries Could Match Gas
About this episode
Used EV demand is climbing as new EV sales soften, with many cars expected to come off lease soon. Charging access is also expanding: Rivian says its DC fast-charger network has grown past 1,000 chargers across 148 locations and reports 98% uptime. On the product side, BMW is adding all-wheel drive to the M2, while Fiat teases its Grizzly lineup with multiple powertrains. Elsewhere, China’s PHEV tax changes are reshaping sales, and lithium-air batteries are being pitched as potentially near-gas in energy density.
Cherry
"so now it's turning to Chinese automaker Cherry. Starting in twenty twenty seven, Avinya is going to launch a new SUV in India..."
Chery is the Chinese company supplying the vehicle platform. Tata is using Chery’s platform so the new Avinya models can be built faster and for less money.
Chery (spoken as “Cherry”) is the Chinese automaker the segment says Avinya is switching to for its platform. The host ties the change to cost, development speed, and the ability to launch faster than using a Jaguar Land Rover platform.
Land Rover Freelander
"...a new SUV in India using the same architecture as Freelander, which is a somewhat new brand that was introduce..."
The Land Rover Freelander is a small SUV made to handle normal roads and some rougher conditions. When people mention it in connection with a new SUV, they usually mean the new model uses a similar basic design underneath. That helps explain how the new SUV may feel and function.
The Land Rover Freelander is a compact SUV built for everyday driving with light off-road capability. It’s often discussed because its platform/architecture has been reused or adapted for newer vehicles in different markets, which is why it can come up when talking about a new SUV being introduced using the same underlying design. In podcast contexts, it’s a reference point for what the “base” technology and layout might be like.
PEE
"New changes to taxes on plugin hybrids in China have really impacted any automaker that has a PEE with a short battery range and a bigger combustion engine..."
“PEE” here is almost certainly meant to be “PHEV,” which is a plug-in hybrid. The episode is saying China’s tax changes made that kind of plug-in hybrid harder to sell.
“PEE” appears to be a transcription error for “PHEV” (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) in the phrase describing cars with a short battery range and a larger combustion engine. The host’s point is that China’s tax rules penalized that specific PHEV type.
plugin hybrids
"New changes to taxes on plugin hybrids in China have really impacted any automaker that has a PEE with a short battery range and a bigger combustion engine..."
Plug-in hybrids are cars that use both gas and electricity, and you can charge them from a wall outlet. The episode says China changed taxes in a way that makes some plug-in hybrids less attractive, especially ones with small batteries.
“Plugin hybrids” refers to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which combine a combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be charged from the grid. The segment says China’s tax changes for PHEVs with short battery ranges and larger engines hurt many automakers—especially German luxury brands.
lithium air technology
"COATL is now working on lithium air technology, which shows the potential to nearly match gas The battery still uses lithium metal as the anode, but takes oxygen from the air to use as the cathode reactant..."
Lithium-air is a new kind of battery idea. Instead of storing energy using only chemicals inside the battery, it uses oxygen from the air, which could make the battery lighter and store more energy—if the engineering challenges get solved.
Lithium-air technology is a battery concept that uses lithium metal as the anode and pulls oxygen from the air as the cathode reactant. The segment highlights its potential for much higher energy density than today’s lithium-ion (and even solid-state) batteries, aiming to get closer to gasoline’s energy content.
COATL
"However, COATL is now working on lithium air technology, which shows the potential to nearly match gas..."
COATL is the company mentioned as working on a new battery idea called lithium-air. They’re trying to make batteries that could store more energy than today’s EV batteries.
COATL is named as the company working on lithium-air battery technology in this segment. The host uses it to connect the broader EV battery discussion to a specific R&D effort.
energy density
"they still have nowhere near the energy density of gasoline... In theory, it has an energy density of up to twelve thousand watt hours per kilogram..."
Energy density is basically “how much energy you get per unit weight.” Higher energy density means a battery can go farther without adding much weight.
Energy density is how much energy a battery can store for a given weight (or volume). The segment compares energy density across gasoline, lithium-ion, solid-state, and lithium-air to explain why EVs still can’t match gas range yet.
Used EV Sales Surging
"Rising gasoline prices and a flood of more affordable models are pushing US car buyers into the used EV segment... used evs are closing in on the price of used gas cars."
The episode says more Americans are buying used EVs. The reasons mentioned are higher gas prices and the fact that used EVs are getting cheaper and starting to cost about the same as used gas cars.
The segment discusses a shift in the US market toward used electric vehicles. It ties the trend to rising gasoline prices and cheaper used EV pricing, citing Cox Automotive data about dealer-lot pricing and how used EVs are approaching used gas-car prices.
DC fast chargers
"The evy startup now has more than one thousand DC fast chargers at one high hundred and forty eight locations across the US, which is up forty percent from last year."
DC fast chargers are special EV chargers that can charge a battery quickly. They’re mostly for road trips or when you need to add charge fast.
DC fast chargers are high-power charging stations that use direct current to recharge an EV much faster than standard home-style AC charging. They’re typically used for road trips and quick top-ups because they can deliver a large amount of power to the battery.
uptime
"Rivian says that by owning the hardware, software, and maintenance service for its network that it achieved a ninety eight percent uptime at all its locations last year, which compares well with Tesla's superchargers."
Uptime is how often the chargers are working and ready to use. Higher uptime means you’re less likely to show up to a dead or broken charger.
Uptime is the percentage of time charging stations are actually available and working when drivers arrive. For EV networks, higher uptime means fewer broken chargers and less waiting.
Level two charging network
"In addition to the fast charging network, Rivian also operates a separate Level two charging network, which has five hundred and forty ports at two hundred and eight locations in the US."
Level 2 chargers are the common “regular” public/at-home EV chargers. They charge more slowly than fast chargers, so they’re great when you have a few hours.
Level 2 charging uses alternating current (AC) and is slower than DC fast charging, but it’s common for everyday charging at workplaces, public stations, and homes. It’s a good fit for overnight or longer parking sessions.
all wheel drive
"The BMWM two is getting all wheel drive for the first time. It uses a mostly mechanical system to send power to all four wheels, but it only does that when it's too much for just the rear wheels."
All-wheel drive powers all four wheels. It helps the car stick to the road better, especially when it’s wet, cold, or you’re accelerating hard.
All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to all four wheels, improving traction and stability compared with rear- or front-wheel drive. In performance cars, AWD can reduce wheelspin during hard launches and help the car stay composed in low-grip conditions.
pre chamber ignition technology called m Ignite
"And as a little extra note, this is the engine that uses BMW's new pre chamber ignition technology called m Ignite."
Pre-chamber ignition is a way to make the spark start the burn more effectively inside the engine. BMW’s “m Ignite” is its branded version of that idea.
Pre-chamber ignition is an engine technology where a small chamber near the spark plug helps create a more effective ignition event. BMW’s “m Ignite” branding refers to its specific version of this system, aimed at improving combustion efficiency and performance.
Fiat Grizzly
"Fiat revealed the first image of its new Grizzly and Grizzly fastback SUVs. The models are based on Stilantis's smart car platform, and Chrysler is expected to get rebadged versions..."
The Fiat Grizzly is a new Fiat SUV that was just shown in the first image. It’s designed to come with different powertrain options, including some electrified versions.
The Fiat Grizzly is a new SUV model Fiat revealed, positioned as part of the brand’s next-generation lineup. It’s built on Stellantis’s Smart Car platform and is expected to be offered with multiple powertrain types, including gasoline and electrified options.
fastback
"Fiat revealed the first image of its new Grizzly and Grizzly fastback SUVs."
A fastback is a car shape where the roof smoothly slopes down toward the back. It’s a styling term that describes that particular silhouette.
Fastback is a body style where the roofline slopes continuously down toward the rear, creating a more streamlined silhouette than a traditional hatchback. It’s a named design category with a specific visual shape used in automotive styling.
mild hybrid
"The Fiat models will be available with gasoline, Mild hybrid, and BEEV powertrains, but no specs for those setups were revealed."
A mild hybrid adds a small electric assist to the gas engine. It helps the car use less fuel, but it usually can’t run purely on electricity by itself.
A mild hybrid uses an electric motor to assist the engine, but it can’t usually drive the car on electricity alone like a full hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The system typically improves efficiency by helping with acceleration and recapturing energy during braking.
BEEV powertrains
"The Fiat models will be available with gasoline, Mild hybrid, and BEEV powertrains, but no specs for those setups were revealed."
BEEV means the car is fully electric, powered by a battery. You charge it instead of pumping gas.
“BEEV” is shorthand for battery-electric vehicle powertrains, meaning the car is driven by an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. These vehicles rely on charging rather than using gasoline.
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