EP 112: Has Skoda Peaqed? Free Lollies and the Fiesta EV
About this episode
Hosts Nicola and Mike brave a brutal UK heatwave to dissect the latest EV news, starting with a look at the newly updated Audi Q4 e-tron and its charging capabilities. They debate whether Audi is falling behind rivals like Zeekr on charging speeds before diving into Nicola's impressions of the new Škoda Elroq. Plus, Mike shares his ongoing love-hate relationship with his temperamental VW ID. Buzz, and the team discusses the surprising charm of the budget-friendly Jeep Avenger.
This week on the Kilowatt Half Hour, the Electrifying.com team discuss Ford’s plans to bring back the iconic Fiesta as an electric car, Skoda’s all-new 7-seater (or has it “Peaqed”?) and the unusual lengths one Chinese brand is going to in order to tempt buyers – with free ice cream on offer for test drives.
There’s also a look at what we’ve been driving, including the Zeekr 7GT, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Audi Q4 e-tron facelift, Polestar 2 and Skoda Peaq, plus Barnard’s Bargains with the best new and used EV deals.
In Almost an EV Virgin, we hear from a listener who’s swapped to a Changan Deepal S07 and wants to spread the word about one of China’s newest arrivals to the UK.
Our reader question tackles a luxury SUV dilemma: would we choose the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric or the Volvo EX60?
We also dive into your comments on learning to drive in a manual, the importance of EV smartphone apps, Audi’s electric future and Zeekr’s UK launch.
As always, thanks for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a review and send your questions or comments to [email protected].
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
"Well, my buzz, my buzz is back, so I got rid of the T-Cross, T-Rock, I can't remember it was, Lone Car, and so it's had all these battery updates and recalls and everything, and it seems to be working fine, I'm delighted to say..."
A modern, fully electric version of the classic VW hippie van. It has a retro look but runs entirely on battery power.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an all-electric minivan that revives the iconic design of the classic Type 2 Microbus. It features a rear-mounted electric motor and retro-futuristic styling, combining nostalgic design with modern EV technology.
T-Cross Tcross
"on, going, Mike, go on, what have we been up to? Well, my buzz, my buzz is back, so I got rid of the T-Cross, T-Rock, I can't remember it was, Lone Car, and so it's had all these battery updates and recalls and everything,"
The Volkswagen T-Cross is a very small SUV made by Volkswagen. It is designed to be easy to drive in cities while offering a higher seating position than a standard hatchback.
The Volkswagen T-Cross is a subcompact crossover SUV positioned as the smallest SUV in Volkswagen's European lineup. Built on the MQB A0 platform, it offers a surprisingly spacious cabin, sliding rear seats, and efficient turbocharged petrol engines.
Dodge Avenger
"..., a lot of things going on, I'm still in the Jeep Avenger, obviously, because that's where my long term, bu..."
The Dodge Avenger is a mid-sized four-door sedan that was sold by Dodge until 2014. It was designed as an affordable family car with sporty styling.
The Dodge Avenger is a mid-size sedan produced by Dodge from 1997 to 2014 across two generations, initially as a coupe and later as a four-door sedan. It was known for its aggressive styling reminiscent of the larger Charger, though it struggled to compete in refinement and interior quality.
Jeep Avenger
"A lot of things, a lot of things going on, I'm still in the Jeep Avenger, obviously, because that's where my long term, but you know what, I really like that car. I do."
A small, electric SUV made by Jeep that is designed for city driving and is sold in Europe.
The Jeep Avenger is a subcompact crossover SUV that represents Jeep's first-ever fully electric production vehicle. Built on the Stellantis e-CMP platform, it is designed primarily for the European market with a focus on urban agility.
Skoda Epiq
"And then obviously the new Škoda Peak video has gone out, which is nice, which we filmed ages ago, by the way, but obviously with VW Group cars at the moment, they're kind of drip feeding bits of information."
A small, budget-friendly electric SUV that Skoda is planning to release soon.
The Skoda Epiq is an upcoming subcompact electric crossover SUV that showcases Skoda's new 'Modern Solid' design language. It is engineered to offer affordable electric mobility with a spacious interior despite its compact footprint.
Kia EV9
"...at's the thing that we've all loved about the Kia EV9 is that you do not feel like the second class pas..."
The Kia EV9 is a very large, electric family SUV with three rows of seats. It is designed to carry up to seven people comfortably without using any gasoline.
The Kia EV9 is a large, three-row all-electric SUV that serves as Kia's flagship electric vehicle. Built on the E-GMP platform, it offers 800-volt fast charging, a spacious and versatile cabin, and striking, boxy styling.
Audi Q4 e-tron
"So you've also been to the Audi, haven't you? The Q4, which is like a massive sell of that car, isn't it? And it's a car that I don't know. It sells huge numbers, but I always feel it's something that we forget a little bit because it's been around quite a while now."
A luxury electric SUV made by Audi that shares its underlying technology with electric cars from Volkswagen and Skoda.
The Audi Q4 e-tron is an all-electric compact luxury crossover SUV built on the Volkswagen Group's dedicated MEB platform. It combines Audi's signature premium interior design with everyday electric practicality and a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.
vehicle-to-load
"But you could have plugged one of those into the vehicle to load because it now has a vehicle to load, doesn't it? So they're fine with the 25th century and every other EV in the world."
A feature that lets you plug regular household appliances, like a laptop, a fan, or even a fridge, directly into your electric car to power them.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is an electric vehicle feature that allows the car's high-voltage battery to power external electrical devices. It utilizes built-in AC outlets or an adapter plugged into the charging port to run household appliances, tools, or camping gear.
Audi Etron
"So well done catching up. I think the new the new charging speeds of the Q4 e-tron I still don't think is quick enough."
The Audi Q4 e-tron is a small, luxury electric SUV made by Audi. It runs entirely on battery power and is designed for daily family use.
The Audi Q4 e-tron is a compact luxury electric crossover sharing its MEB platform with the Volkswagen ID.4. It offers a more premium cabin, quiet ride, and traditional Audi styling cues compared to its platform mates.
Zeekr 007
"So I did that as a Zika seven GT, the driving impression. Well, the video is live now and and it drives really well."
A luxury electric sedan from a Chinese brand that charges incredibly fast and has a lot of power.
The Zeekr 007 is an all-electric executive sedan built on Geely's PMA2+ platform, featuring an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture. It is known for its ultra-fast charging capabilities and high-performance dual-motor powertrain options.
Audi A6
"...at the competitors that set around that, it's the Audi A6 e-tron. It's probably the ID7 Tourer, 200 kilowat..."
The Audi A6 is a luxury mid-sized sedan or wagon made by Audi. It is designed for comfortable long-distance driving and features high-tech screens and premium materials.
The Audi A6 is a premium executive car that, in its latest generation, includes the fully electric A6 e-tron built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. It focuses on aerodynamic efficiency, long range, and high-speed 800V charging.
A6 Audi A6 Etron
"It's a 400 kilowatt peak DC charging. So looking at the competitors that set around that, it's the Audi A6 e-tron. It's probably the ID7 Tourer, 200 kilowatts on the ID7 Tourer,"
The Audi A6 e-tron is a luxury electric car made by Audi. It is designed to travel long distances on a single charge and can plug into ultra-fast chargers to refill its battery quickly.
The Audi A6 e-tron is an all-electric executive car built on the advanced 800-volt PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture. It is designed to deliver exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, rapid charging speeds up to 270 kW, and a long driving range.
Volkswagen Id7
"... that, it's the Audi A6 e-tron. It's probably the ID7 Tourer, 200 kilowatts on the ID7 Tourer, 270 on t..."
The Volkswagen ID.7 is a large, comfortable electric family car made by Volkswagen. It is designed for long highway trips and comes in sedan or station wagon shapes.
The Volkswagen ID.7 is an all-electric mid-size executive car serving as the flagship of VW's ID. family, available in both fastback and 'Tourer' (estate) body styles. It features a highly efficient electric motor, improved infotainment software, and a focus on long-distance comfort.
BYD Atto 3
"I just want to talk about another car that I've been driving. Driven the BYD Ato too for the first time. Yeah, that's my face. Look at the look at this face I've had."
A popular, family-sized electric SUV made by the Chinese company BYD, featuring a unique interior design and a very safe battery.
The BYD Atto 3 is a compact electric crossover SUV built on BYD's dedicated e-Platform 3.0. It is distinguished by its proprietary 'Blade Battery' technology, which offers superior thermal safety and structural integration.
Fiat Grande Panda
"I had a good look around the grand day grand day panda that we had up at the barn. Vicky bought that. She kept very quiet about it."
A small, boxy electric car from Fiat designed to look like their classic, beloved Panda model from the 1980s.
The Fiat Grande Panda is a retro-styled subcompact crossover that pays homage to the iconic, boxy 1980s Fiat Panda. It is built on the Stellantis Smart Car platform, offering both hybrid and fully electric powertrain options.
Ford Fiesta
"Just a reminder to the fiesta is coming back as an EV, which we kind of knew anyway. But Ford's signed a deal a while ago to use two Renault platform to build two cars on Renault platforms, unspecified as yet. But we know one of them, small one is going to be the fiesta."
An upcoming electric version of Ford's incredibly popular small hatchback, the Fiesta, which was discontinued in its gas-powered form.
The Ford Fiesta EV is an upcoming electric subcompact hatchback planned to revive the iconic Fiesta nameplate on a shared Renault platform. It is expected to utilize the Renault 5's front-wheel-drive electric architecture to deliver affordable, agile city driving.
Ford Puma
"...any money. And Ford was selling loads more of the Puma, which was the SUV based on the fiesta platform. ..."
The Ford Puma is a small, high-riding hatchback made by Ford for the European market. It is designed to be easy to park and practical for daily driving.
The Ford Puma is a highly popular subcompact crossover SUV sold primarily in Europe, originally built on the Fiesta platform. It is known for its agile handling, practical 'MegaBox' boot storage, and mild-hybrid powertrains, with an all-electric version introduced recently.
Ford Capri
"...emember a fiesta being as they have done with the capri? Well, I don't know. I mean, I guess they're kind..."
The Ford Capri is an electric family car with a sporty, sloping roof. It is made by Ford for European drivers.
The Ford Capri has been revived as an all-electric coupe-SUV for the European market, sharing its MEB platform underpinnings with Volkswagen. It reimagines a classic sports coupe nameplate into a modern, high-riding family EV with a fastback roofline.
5 Renault 5
"...ast 18 months away. Is that too late? I mean, the Renault 5 is going to be out there. Of course it's too late..."
The Renault 5 E-Tech is a small, stylish electric car made by Renault. Its design is inspired by a famous classic car from the 1970s and 80s.
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is a retro-styled subcompact electric hatchback that revives the iconic design of the classic Renault 5. Built on the AmpR Small platform, it aims to deliver affordable electric motoring with agile handling and characterful styling.
Ford Explorer
"...know, get a petrol cougar or something and get an Explorer and then eventually as you get older, then you do..."
The Ford Explorer is a family-sized SUV made by Ford. The version sold in Europe runs entirely on battery power.
The European-market Ford Explorer is an all-electric compact crossover SUV developed in partnership with Volkswagen, utilizing their MEB platform. It represents a major step in Ford's European electrification strategy, offering a rugged design and modern tech.
Ford Cougar
"...'re probably going to, I don't know, get a petrol cougar or something and get an Explorer and then eventua..."
This is a medium-sized family SUV made by Ford. It runs on gasoline or hybrid power and is designed for everyday family trips.
The Ford Kuga (often transcribed as Cougar in phonetic contexts) is a popular compact crossover SUV sold in Europe, offering petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. It is highly regarded for its car-like driving dynamics and practical family-friendly interior.
Renault Twingo
"...ilding cars in 18 months and even Europe now. The Twingo, the Twingo was built in two years. Like, you kno..."
The Renault Twingo is a very small hatchback designed for driving and parking in tight city spaces. The newest version is fully electric.
The Renault Twingo is a historic city car, with Renault developing a new, retro-styled all-electric Twingo scheduled for release around 2026. This new generation aims to offer an affordable, highly efficient urban electric vehicle with design cues from the 1990s original.
GAC Aion V
"You've got to go and take a test drive of an AON five, because in a, in a combination of circumstances that not even the most optimistic AON boss could have envisaged. The AON five comes with what's called a cool box thing."
A high-tech electric SUV made by a Chinese company called Aion, known for having cool features like a built-in fridge.
The GAC Aion V is a compact electric crossover SUV produced by GAC's dedicated electric vehicle brand, Aion. The second-generation model is designed as a global vehicle, featuring an onboard refrigerator/warmer and fast-charging capabilities.
Renault Megane E-Tech
"oh, the McGann, the McGann's gone live. Oh, yes. The new Renault McGann. And I mean, that's a very chaotic video, by the way, because our flight got delayed in it, eight into our time with the car."
A stylish, fully electric family hatchback made by Renault that features a very modern Google-based touchscreen system.
The Renault Megane E-Tech is an all-electric compact hatchback/crossover built on the dedicated CMF-EV platform. It represents Renault's modern electric era, featuring a slim battery pack, agile front-wheel-drive handling, and an Android-powered infotainment system.
Polestar 4
"So it is a Polestar four, 200 kilowatts. Sorry, I'm reading this really wrong, because I'm so hot. I can't even read. It's basically a Polestar four, long range, single motor."
A sporty electric SUV from Polestar that has no rear window, relying instead on a high-definition camera and digital rearview mirror.
The Polestar 4 is an all-electric compact luxury crossover SUV distinguished by its unique design that completely omits a rear window. It is built on Geely's SEA platform, offering high-performance powertrains and a sleek, coupe-like silhouette.
MG 5 EV
"MG five. Right, this is what I love, because I remember the MG five. Remember the MG five. I always remember what he's saying in his video of the MG five, this car is just like a hammer."
A practical, budget-friendly electric station wagon made by MG that is very popular with taxi drivers because of its space and reliability.
The MG 5 EV is an all-electric compact station wagon that stands out as one of the few electric estates available on the market. It is highly regarded for its practical cargo space, sensible pricing, and popularity among fleet and taxi operators.
Changan Deepal S07
"Roger is not an EV virgin far from it. He's now on his fourth car with a plug, but he's now gone Chinese. This is why we've included Roger and on to a Chang and Deeple SO7 because A, it actually looks pretty good."
A sleek, modern electric SUV from a Chinese brand called Changan Deepal, designed to compete with the Tesla Model Y.
The Changan Deepal S07 is a mid-size electric crossover SUV produced by Changan's deep-tech EV brand, Deepal. It features a sleek, aerodynamic design and is offered with both battery-electric and range-extender powertrains.
EX60
"...y a Porsche Cayenne electric base or S or a Volvo EX60? That's a huge question. I would also consider a ..."
The Volvo EX60 is a medium-sized luxury electric SUV made by Volvo. It is designed for families who want a safe, high-tech vehicle that does not use gasoline.
The Volvo EX60 is an upcoming all-electric mid-size luxury SUV designed to succeed or sit alongside the highly popular XC60. It is built on Volvo's next-generation EV architecture, focusing on advanced safety systems, sustainable materials, and competitive electric range.
Porsche Cayenne
"...t very much. Money aside, would you buy a Porsche Cayenne electric base or S or a Volvo EX60? That's a huge..."
The Porsche Cayenne is a high-end, sporty SUV made by the German company Porsche. It is a larger family vehicle designed for luxury and fast driving.
The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury mid-size SUV that is transitioning to a fully electric powertrain alongside its combustion-engined sibling. It is designed to offer high-performance driving dynamics, advanced charging capabilities, and premium comfort.
Mazda MX-5
"Daddy Coolio, he wants to learn in a manual. So one day he can drive a classic car same as my son who's already saving for his mart one MX five and what a car to say for pop up headlights."
A classic, small, two-seat convertible sports car from Mazda that is famous for being incredibly fun to drive and having pop-up headlights.
The Mazda MX-5, specifically the first-generation 'NA' model, is a legendary lightweight two-seater roadster famous for its pop-up headlights and pure driving dynamics. It popularized the modern affordable sports car formula with its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
Toyota GR86
"And so I've got I've currently got a Toyota GR 86 on the drive so that I could have a little bit of fun when I head up to Silverstone. That's not that's a fun manual, but that's a fun manual."
A small, sporty two-door coupe made by Toyota that is highly praised by car enthusiasts for its fun, old-school driving feel.
The Toyota GR86 is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe co-developed with Subaru, featuring a naturally aspirated boxer engine. It is celebrated by enthusiasts for its pure, analog driving dynamics, precise manual transmission, and affordable price point.
steer-by-wire
"There are now steer by wire manual gearboxes. So there is absolutely now the the possibility that you can have an EV with a steer by wire manual gearbox that you can also then just put into auto mode."
A system where turning the steering wheel sends electronic signals to a computer to turn the car's wheels, instead of using a physical metal rod.
Steer-by-wire is a steering system that replaces the traditional mechanical connection (steering column) between the steering wheel and the road wheels with electronic sensors and actuators. This allows for highly customizable steering ratios and cleaner cabin packaging.
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