Ep 110: A broken Polestar, a brilliant Renault... and Kia’s shocking EV2 range

The Renault 5 is a classic small hatchback from Renault, known for its compact, fun-to-drive character and strong design identity. In this segment, the host compares a newer Renault 5 variant to the original’s appeal, especially focusing on the roof/quirk factor.

“Floppy paddles” refers to steering-wheel paddle shifters that can feel loose or flexible rather than crisp. In an EV, these paddles are often used to control regenerative braking levels or simulate gear changes, so their feel can affect how natural the car is to drive.

One-pedal driving is an EV driving mode where lifting off the accelerator slows the car down using regenerative braking. It lets you do most speed control with a single pedal, which can make stop-and-go driving easier and reduce how often you use the brake pedal.

WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is the standardized test used to estimate a car’s fuel economy and electric range. When the host says the car is “bang on WLTP,” they mean real-world efficiency is matching the official test figure under similar conditions.

A convertible is a car with a roof that can be lowered or removed, typically exposing the cabin to open-air driving. Here, it’s used to describe the common issue of wind blowing hair around when driving with the roof down.

The Alpine A290 is a modern Alpine hot hatch, part of Renault’s performance brand lineup. In this segment, the hosts focus on how it feels fun and engaging to drive, emphasizing its character and “cool” factor.

The Polestar 4 is a battery-electric crossover-coupe from Polestar, built around an EV platform and designed for long-distance touring. In this segment, it’s the subject of a “rant,” implying a real-world ownership problem rather than just impressions.

The Dodge Charger is a full-size American muscle sedan known for strong performance and a long-running model history. It may come up in a podcast when discussing real-world ownership experiences—like getting stranded—because it’s a common, recognizable car people talk about when something goes wrong. The “charger” mention in the context sounds like a charging point or charging-related issue rather than the car’s name being used as a verb.

In EV charging, “rapid” usually refers to fast charging (higher power than standard home charging). The host’s point is that the car could start charging on rapid, but then failed to keep charging—leaving them stranded.

Most modern cars—especially EVs—still use a 12-volt battery to run low-voltage systems like door locks, infotainment, and control modules. If the 12-volt system is hard to access, it can make roadside assistance and recovery more difficult, even when the main high-voltage battery is intact.

A software glitch is a malfunction caused by the car’s software behaving incorrectly—such as failing to run a function or mis-handling a system state. On EVs, software can affect access/locking behavior, charging logic, and how the car interfaces with breakdown or recovery systems.

AC charging is when an EV is charged using alternating current from the charger, with the car converting it to the battery’s required power. If a vehicle’s software doesn’t handle AC charging correctly, it can lead to faults that show up later as access/startup problems.

“Software wise” is shorthand for how the car’s digital systems behave—things like infotainment, connectivity, driver-assist calibration, and overall system stability. In EVs, software can affect day-to-day usability as much as hardware does.

The Polestar 3 is Polestar’s electric SUV, and the host is specifically talking about its software behavior. In this segment, they mention “issues” with the Polestar 3 software, then contrast it with a later positive experience in another Polestar model.

Range testing is a real-world method for measuring how far an EV can go on a charge under specific conditions (speed, temperature, route, and driving style). It’s often discussed because EV “range” ratings can differ from what you actually get in everyday driving.

Elprie is a Norwegian twice-yearly EV range testing event where the organizers run structured range tests in both summer and winter. The host describes strict rules (speed limit compliance, fixed climate control temperature, and stopping when the car stops) to make results comparable across vehicles.

The Kia EV2 is Kia’s electric vehicle that the hosts discuss in the context of Norway’s winter and summer range testing. They cite a real-world result of about 275 miles, and they compare it to the official WLTP range, noting it exceeded the claimed figure in their test.

The Kia EV9 is a large, battery-electric SUV from Kia, and it’s being used here as an example of how real-world EV range changes in cold weather. The host mentions running a winter range test in Norway at around minus nine degrees Celsius.

The BMW iX3 is BMW’s electric SUV, built around a battery-electric drivetrain rather than a gasoline engine. In this segment, it’s highlighted for achieving the farthest real-world distance among the cars being compared, which matters because EV range is a key buying metric.

Claimed range is the distance an EV manufacturer says the car can travel on a full charge under standardized test conditions. The hosts repeatedly compare real results to this figure, emphasizing how much real-world driving can differ from the marketing number.

An official range figure is the standardized EV range number published by the manufacturer, typically based on a specific test protocol. In this segment, the hosts use it as the baseline to calculate how much each car over- or under-performed.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a compact luxury SUV, commonly discussed for its comfort, practicality, and mainstream appeal in the luxury segment. In the podcast context, it sounds like the speaker is referencing a performance or sales-style result (“did really well”) and giving a distance figure, suggesting a real-world driving or testing discussion. That kind of talk often comes up when comparing how vehicles perform in everyday conditions.

The Smart #5 is Smart’s electric crossover, and it’s referenced as performing well in the range comparison. That matters because the segment is focused on how far EVs can go versus their official range numbers.

Range anxiety is the worry that an EV won’t have enough battery charge to reach the destination or a charging station. The hosts connect it to the usefulness of real-world range tests that compare actual distance to claimed range.

Battery loss here means the percentage of usable energy the EV’s battery loses during winter conditions. Cold temperatures reduce how efficiently the battery can deliver power, so the car’s effective range drops even if the battery hasn’t “failed.”

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is a hybrid car that can be charged from an external power source, not just generated by the engine and braking. It typically uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, with the battery allowing short trips to be driven electrically.

Boot space is the amount of cargo room in the rear of a car (the trunk). In family-car discussions, it’s often evaluated alongside seating capacity because it determines whether you can fit strollers, shopping, or luggage.

Cargo capacity is commonly measured in litres, which is a volume unit. When a host quotes “litres of space,” they’re giving a practical sense of how much can fit in the trunk area with seats up or down.

“Seven seats” describes a multi-row family layout intended to carry up to seven passengers. It’s relevant because it changes how much space is left for cargo and how the car can be used for day-to-day family needs.

Le Mans refers to the famous endurance racing event held in France, where automakers often use the spotlight to debut performance concepts and technology. Because it’s a long, high-stress race, it’s a natural stage for showcasing cars aimed at real-world speed and durability.

The Volkswagen Golf is a widely known compact hatchback that’s often used as a benchmark for everyday driving, practicality, and driving dynamics. In the podcast context, it’s tied to a video and a launch of a performance-focused electric GTI-related concept, indicating the episode is covering new model introductions and what they mean for the lineup. That’s why it comes up: it’s a central nameplate people follow closely.

A “51 kilowatt battery” is referring to the battery’s capacity (typically expressed in kilowatt-hours, kWh) for an electric vehicle. Higher capacity generally means more energy available for driving, which can translate into longer range and/or more sustained power.

A limited-slip differential (often shortened to “limited slip diff”) helps manage how torque is split between driven wheels. It reduces wheelspin when traction is uneven, which can improve acceleration out of corners and overall handling consistency.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an all-electric version of the classic Buzz van concept, built around electric power and a family-friendly layout. It’s being mentioned because someone the speaker knows is considering getting rid of theirs, which points to ownership and practicality topics. Electric vans like this often come up when discussing day-to-day usability and charging needs.

The Volkswagen ID seven is an all-electric, family-sized sedan/wagon-style EV in the ID lineup. The host calls it one of the better cars from the “ID three, ID four” era of Volkswagen EVs and highlights ride quality as a key strength.

A battery’s size is often described in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is a measure of how much electrical energy it can store. An “86 kWh battery” generally indicates a larger battery pack, which usually supports more driving range than smaller packs.

“£378 a month” is the monthly payment figure used in a financing or lease quote. It’s a key part of how the host is presenting the deal’s affordability for a large EV.

Classic car conversions are projects that modernize older vehicles—often by swapping in electric drivetrains while trying to preserve the original look and feel. This is different from buying a new EV because the work is usually custom engineering: battery placement, motor integration, and control systems must all be adapted to the specific car.

The DeLorean DMC-12 is a distinctive sports car famous for its stainless-steel body and its pop-culture legacy. It’s often discussed in podcasts because it’s an icon even among people who don’t follow cars closely. The mention suggests the episode is covering special or unusual vehicles and their appeal.

A conversion kit is a packaged set of parts and instructions used to change a vehicle from one powertrain to another—here, from a traditional combustion setup to electric propulsion. The host also notes that people can get licenses to fit them, implying the kits are designed to be installed by qualified parties rather than being one-off custom builds.

Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle brand famous for big V-twin cruisers. The host mentions converting three 1920s Harley-Davidson motorcycles to run on EV power, which typically involves replacing the combustion engine with an electric drive system and battery pack.

A home charger is a dedicated EV charging unit installed at your house, usually connected to your electrical panel. It’s designed to deliver higher, safer power than typical household outlets for regular overnight charging.

Anderson is referenced here as the company behind the Anderson A2 home charger. In this context, it’s the brand of EV charging hardware the listener is asking about.

Unrolling a cable matters because coiled cables can trap heat and increase the risk of overheating during high-current charging. The host is addressing whether EV charging current makes that safety step necessary for the specific charger/cable setup.

Electric extension cables are temporary power leads used to reach an outlet or charger from farther away. For EV charging, they can become a heat risk if they’re not rated for the current and if they’re left coiled, because resistance causes heating.

The Dodge Avenger is a mid-size sedan that was offered as a practical, mainstream car rather than a performance-focused model. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as a current vehicle the speaker is comparing against a Jeep Avenger, which suggests a discussion about different car names and categories. That makes it relevant for clarifying what people actually own or drive.

A “motorway” is a high-speed controlled-access road where EV efficiency often drops compared with city driving due to sustained higher speeds. The host links motorway cruising to their EV range being lower than expected.

The Jeep Avenger is a Jeep-branded small crossover that’s known for being an easy-to-live-with electric option in the compact EV class. In this segment, it’s used as the host’s team member’s favorite EV to the point that he even hires one when traveling.

“Charging deserts” are areas where there aren’t enough EV charging options, making it harder to travel or own an EV confidently. The speaker contrasts places with lots of charging versus places with little or none, which is exactly what the term is meant to capture.

“OACs” appears to be an acronym the hosts are using alongside “charging deserts” to describe another category of charging availability or infrastructure. However, the transcript doesn’t expand what OACs stands for, so the exact meaning can’t be confirmed from this excerpt alone.

The A30 is a major road in the UK, and here it’s used as a landmark to locate a rapid EV charger near Mid Cornwall. For listeners, it helps translate the charging location into something geographically familiar.

Charging bays are the individual parking spots at a charging site where a car plugs in to charge. When the speaker mentions “700 and fifty kilowatt charging bays,” they’re talking about high-power fast-charging stalls designed to add a lot of energy quickly.

The Ferrari Luce is referenced as a future or concept-style Ferrari model, described in the podcast as looking like a “wireless mouse.” It’s being mentioned as part of a broader set of special or newly discussed vehicles, which suggests the episode is focusing on design and what’s coming next. The key point is that it’s notable enough to stand out visually and spark conversation.

The Audi S5 is a performance-oriented version of the A5, typically offered as a sporty coupe or sportback with a more powerful engine and firmer driving feel. It’s relevant in the podcast context because the speaker is comparing it to an electric MG model and discussing dealer experience. That makes it a good example of how ownership can be shaped not just by the car, but by service support.

Skoda is a Czech car brand owned by Volkswagen Group, and it sells both conventional and electric vehicles. Here it’s mentioned alongside VW as one of the brands whose dealerships the host found especially attentive during test drives.

The “5 E-Tech Electric” refers to the electric version of the Renault 5, bringing the classic nameplate into a modern battery-electric format. The podcast context suggests the speaker has reviewed the Renault 5 and is discussing how this new electric version fits into longer-term ownership expectations. It’s likely brought up because it connects past reviews to what buyers should consider over time.

“Regen” is short for regenerative braking, where an EV slows down and turns its electric motor into a generator. That recaptures some energy and sends it back to the battery instead of wasting it as heat in the brakes.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a compact luxury SUV known for its boxy shape and practical, family-friendly packaging. In this segment it’s specifically mentioned as one of the cars used in a seven-seat crash-test comparison.

A crash test is a controlled impact test used to evaluate how a vehicle’s structure and safety systems perform in a collision. In the context of EVs, it’s especially relevant for understanding how battery systems behave after impact.

In EVs, the battery pack is the high-voltage energy storage system that powers the electric drivetrain. This segment highlights public questions about how EV batteries behave during and after a crash.