BMW i3 Unveiled: 900km Range EV and Model Y L Australia First Look
About this episode
The discussion covers the recent BMW i3 launch boasting a remarkable 900km WLTP range and the Australian debut of the Tesla Model YL, highlighting its subtle design changes and advanced rear comfort features. Hosts share impressions from test drives and discuss the growing EV market in Australia, including long delivery times for some models like the Zika 7X and the expansion of charging infrastructure such as a large new station near Mackay. The episode also touches on Chinese EV brands like BYD and GAC, rising fuel prices driving EV interest, and the evolving landscape of EV adoption and approvals in Australia.
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Catch up on the latest in Electric Vehicle news from Australia and around the world! Hosted by Tom & Joy Gan of Ludicrous Feed, Riz Akhtar from Carloop and Roland Lam from Zapped
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ADR approvals
"Not much happening at the moment actually on that note. Hey, we rely on your ADR approvals my friends, sorry, keep us going."
ADR approvals are rules that cars have to follow to be allowed on Australian roads. They make sure cars are safe and clean before you can buy them.
ADR approvals refer to the Australian Design Rules, which are national standards for vehicle safety, emissions, and anti-theft measures. Vehicles must meet these standards to be legally sold and registered in Australia.
BYD Atto 3
"Still Australia's cheapest EV, isn't it at the moment? I think so. As it stands, new anyway. You seen any other ones around your neck of the woods, Roland? No, I was just about to say, everyone seems to be buying at two ones as the viewers, but I'm still yet to see one on the road."
The BYD Atto 3 is a type of electric car made by a company called BYD. It's a small SUV that is cheaper than many other electric cars, so more people can buy it.
The BYD Atto 3 is an electric SUV from the Chinese automaker BYD. It is known for offering competitive pricing and features, making it one of the more affordable EVs in markets like Australia.
Tesla Model Y
"It's hard to tell that it's a Model YL without looking at the badge."
The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV, which means it runs on electricity instead of gas. It's a bit bigger than a car and can carry more people and stuff.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact all-electric SUV made by Tesla. It shares many components with the Model 3 sedan but features a taller, more spacious body style with optional third-row seating.
back spoiler
"It's hard to tell that it's a Model YL without looking at the badge. I think the easiest to tell is the back spoiler and the brake lights."
The back spoiler is a part on the back of the car that helps it stay steady when driving fast and can also make the car look sportier.
A back spoiler is an aerodynamic component mounted on the rear of a car, designed to reduce lift and improve stability at higher speeds. It can also affect the car's visual proportions.
brake lights
"It's hard to tell that it's a Model YL without looking at the badge. I think the easiest to tell is the back spoiler and the brake lights."
Brake lights are the red lights on the back of a car that turn on when the driver pushes the brake pedal to tell other drivers to slow down.
Brake lights are red lights at the rear of a vehicle that illuminate when the driver applies the brakes, signaling to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping.
FSD
"just drove my brand new model Y from Melbourne to Sydney on FSD. Wow, that's great. I'm sure it was an easy drive. We've discovered that on FSD, the Y drives superbly."
FSD is a special feature in Tesla cars that helps the car drive itself on highways and some city roads, making driving easier and safer.
FSD stands for Full Self-Driving, Tesla's advanced driver-assistance system that enables features like automated lane changes, traffic-aware cruise control, and navigation on autopilot. It aims to provide a hands-free driving experience under certain conditions.
BMW i3
"Rear is easy at the BMW i3 launch. I don't think so. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. Speaking of which, the embargo has dropped for sharing this with you guys. The i3"
The BMW i3 is a small electric car made by BMW. It was one of the first electric cars from BMW and has a unique shape that's easy to recognize.
The BMW i3 is an electric vehicle introduced by BMW as one of their first mass-produced EVs. It featured a distinctive boxy design and was notable for its use of lightweight materials and urban-focused range.
WLTP
"900Ks of range WLTP, come on, that's ridiculous."
WLTP is a way to test how far a car can go on a full battery or tank. It tries to show real-world driving instead of just lab numbers.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, a global standard for measuring vehicle range and fuel consumption. It provides more realistic estimates compared to older testing methods.
900km range
"900Ks of range WLTP, come on, that's ridiculous. Seriously, that's like Sydney, Melbourne, if true, with no charging, just like boom, all the way."
900km range means the electric car can drive about 900 kilometers before needing to recharge its battery.
A 900 kilometer range refers to the maximum distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single full charge under WLTP testing standards. This is considered very high and significantly reduces the need for frequent charging stops.
range anxiety
"That really just eliminates range anxiety, doesn't it? Someone's going to do that test, Sydney, Melbourne."
Range anxiety means worrying that your electric car might run out of power before you find a place to charge it.
Range anxiety is the fear or concern that an electric vehicle will run out of battery before reaching its destination or a charging point. It is a common psychological barrier to EV adoption.
345kW power
"Now, Roland, 345KW of power, 645Nm of torque. Is that enough for you, my friend?"
345kW power means the car's electric motor is very strong and can make the car go fast.
345kW refers to the electric motor's power output, which translates to about 462 horsepower. This level of power indicates strong acceleration and performance capabilities for an electric vehicle.
645Nm torque
"Now, Roland, 345KW of power, 645Nm of torque. Is that enough for you, my friend?"
645Nm torque means the car's motor can push really hard to make the car speed up quickly.
645 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque is a measure of the rotational force the electric motor can produce. High torque in EVs provides quick acceleration and strong pulling power from a standstill.
legacy brands
"I like to see all the legacy brands actually taking EV seriously and trying to be kind of like the best EV of the legacy ones."
Legacy brands are old, well-known car companies that have been making cars for a long time and are now making electric cars too.
Legacy brands are traditional automakers with a long history in the automotive industry, often known for internal combustion engine vehicles, now transitioning to electric vehicles.
Neue Class platform
"I mean, the Neue class of platform is EV first, right? So that's a good sign."
The Neue Class platform is a new way BMW builds cars so they work best with electric power instead of gas engines. It helps make better electric cars.
The Neue Class platform is BMW's new electric vehicle architecture designed from the ground up to prioritize electric drivetrains and battery integration. It represents BMW's strategic shift to EV-first vehicle development.
CLTC
"Now, RIS has the top of this. So I saw a kind of 1000Ks of range earlier this week. Is that any, is that C, what's the CLTC RIS or is that WLTP? Making our new news feel old."
CLTC is a way to test how far electric cars can go in China. It usually shows higher numbers because of how the test is done.
CLTC stands for China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, a driving cycle used to estimate electric vehicle range and emissions in China. It often results in higher range estimates compared to other standards due to its testing conditions.
Autobahn
"...which we also love having seen that in the flesh on the Autobahn. And the acceleration from 50K to 200K was amazing."
The Autobahn is a highway in Germany where cars can drive very fast because some parts don't have speed limits.
The Autobahn is Germany's federal controlled-access highway system, famous for sections with no speed limits, allowing vehicles to travel at very high speeds legally. It's often used for testing vehicle performance.
XPeng ID. UNiK 08
"Now, let's share this one real quick. So this is a story about X-Pung. X-Pung and Volkswagen have released their first joint venture vehicle, the ID UNIX 08, officially off the production line."
The XPeng ID. UNiK 08 is an electric SUV made together by a Chinese company and Volkswagen. It is designed mainly for people in China who want electric cars.
The XPeng ID. UNiK 08 is a joint venture electric SUV between XPeng, a Chinese EV manufacturer, and Volkswagen. It represents a collaboration to produce EVs tailored for the Chinese market, combining XPeng's software expertise with Volkswagen's automotive experience.
Apple CarPlay
"It was wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No such thing as wireless. Okay, well, at least it's Apple CarPlay still, right? It doesn't matter if it's wireless."
Apple CarPlay lets you use your iPhone on your car's screen. You can get directions, make calls, and play music safely while driving.
Apple CarPlay is a system that allows iPhone users to connect their phone to a car's infotainment system, enabling access to apps, navigation, and communication features through the car's display.
ADR approved
"we can't just say, oh, it's been ADR approved, it would be a couple of months away, could potentially be three weeks away."
ADR approval means a car has passed Australia's safety and design rules, so it can be sold and used there legally.
ADR stands for Australian Design Rules, which are national standards for vehicle safety, emissions, and design that vehicles must meet to be legally sold and driven in Australia. Being ADR approved means a vehicle complies with these regulations.
Mazda
"I feel like Mazda is one of those brands that will get people who weren't previously looking at EVs to maybe consider an EV. They're like just a really, a comfort brand. And like once, I don't know, for like me, once I had my Mazda, it's like, I didn't want to move from a Mazda."
Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes cars people find comfortable and easy to drive, and they're starting to make electric cars too.
Mazda is a Japanese automaker known for producing reliable, comfortable, and driver-focused vehicles. The brand is gaining attention in the EV market by appealing to customers who value comfort and brand loyalty.
GWM Aura GT
"So traded in our second car, i30 diesel wagon for a GWM Aura GT. Good work. Nice. That's a good, good little car there."
The GWM Aura GT is a small SUV made by a Chinese company called Great Wall Motors, and it's designed to be a good value car.
The GWM Aura GT is a compact SUV from Great Wall Motors (GWM), a Chinese automaker. It offers modern styling and features, targeting buyers looking for value in the SUV segment.
Tesla time
"We're just saying two weeks from ADRs to order for Tesla. That, that is phenomenal, isn't it? That's Tesla time."
Tesla time means how quickly Tesla can build and deliver their cars, which is usually faster than other car companies.
Tesla time refers to Tesla's reputation for very fast vehicle production and delivery timelines compared to traditional automakers, often seen as a benchmark in the EV industry.
battery
""Obviously, bigger battery, better charging, more power. I don't know how much more you can improve the interior...""
The battery in an electric car is like a big rechargeable box that holds electricity to make the car go.
In electric vehicles, the battery stores electrical energy to power the motor. Larger batteries generally provide longer driving range but add weight and cost.
charging
""Obviously, bigger battery, better charging, more power. I don't know how much more you can improve the interior...""
Charging is plugging in the electric car to get more electricity so it can drive again.
Charging refers to replenishing an electric vehicle's battery with electricity. Faster charging technology reduces the time needed to recharge.
front-wheel drive
""The base one is about 120-something drive away, brand new. For front-wheel drive, and then the other two are about 149 thereabouts...""
Front-wheel drive means the car's front wheels make the car move. This helps with grip, especially in rain or snow.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a drivetrain layout where the engine's power is delivered to the front wheels. It is common in many passenger cars and often offers better traction in slippery conditions.
luxury
""This car is like streets ahead of the Model YL in terms of luxury and comfort. But when you got the Model YL at half the price...""
Luxury means the car has fancy things inside that make it very comfortable and nice to be in.
Luxury in cars refers to high-end features, materials, and comfort that provide a premium experience beyond basic transportation.
BMW iX3
"But there is an iX3 in Melbourne, as far as I know. So you can... Oh, probably some dealerships around Australia too."
The BMW iX3 is a bigger electric car shaped like an SUV. It uses electricity instead of petrol to move.
The BMW iX3 is an all-electric version of BMW's popular X3 SUV, combining electric powertrain technology with the familiar SUV body style. It offers a balance of electric range and utility for everyday use.
drive away price
"Readers are suggesting under $110,000. Yeah, that's not bad. I was hoping closer to $100,000 for this. Maybe $110,000 drive away."
Drive away price is the total money you pay to buy a car, including all extra fees and taxes, so you know exactly how much it costs.
Drive away price refers to the total cost of purchasing a vehicle including the base price, taxes, dealer fees, and any other charges, meaning the final amount the buyer pays to take the car home.
PHEV
"Wouldn't get a PHEV. So easy to take breaks and charge."
A PHEV is a car that uses both petrol and electricity. You can plug it in to charge the battery and drive on electric power sometimes.
PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, which combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery that can be charged from an external power source.
FBT discount for EVs
"And I agree with you. John, hopefully they keep the FBT discount for EVs going forward. I do too. Yeah, crazy to be thinking about removing this in the middle of a fuel crisis."
FBT discount means a tax break for companies that give electric cars to their workers. It helps make electric cars cheaper for employees.
FBT stands for Fringe Benefits Tax, a tax on benefits provided to employees. Some governments offer FBT discounts or exemptions for electric vehicles to encourage adoption by reducing tax costs for employers.
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