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Episode 90: Big Smarts, little Hondas and getting EV charging out of the gutter

Episode 90: Big Smarts, little Hondas and getting EV charging out of the gutter

The Kilowatt Half Hour Nov 03, 2025 44 min
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About this episode

Mike and Tom dive into a lively discussion about electric vehicles, covering everything from long-term EV experiences like the Mini Cooper-Born and Vauxhall Grandland, to quirky small cars like the Honda Super 1 and Citroen eC3 van. They explore EV charging challenges, government plans to ease home charging installation, and new models like the Smart #5. The hosts also address listener questions on EV usability without smartphones, long-range SUV choices, and servicing concerns on the Isle of Man. Alongside news and personal anecdotes, they share insights on Chinese EV bargains and the evolving EV market landscape.

Topics: long-term ev reviews ev charging infrastructure tokyo motor show highlights small electric cars smart #5 ev plug-in hybrids ev buying advice ev usability without smartphone ev leasing deals listener q&a
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Citroen C3
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Citroen C3

"...it with our people. So they left me with a petrol Citroen C3 and then it was repaired and it's been repaired v..."
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Tesla Model
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Tesla Model

"...oking very shiny. Other things, I had a go in the Tesla Model Y performance. Oh, that light."
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C3 Ec3
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

C3 Ec3

"...he scale, the other vehicle I drove was a Citroen EC3 van, which is a really curious car."
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Fiat 500
Jean-Pol GRANDMONT (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Fiat 500

"...t it's still tiny, it's still smaller than a Fiat 500. And it's going to be a kind of a loose replaceme..."
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Smart Electric Smarts
Alistair Fernandez (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Smart Electric Smarts

"...know, I quite like this. And I quite like the new electric smarts. I've got no kind of worry about them"
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BMW i3
Frank Schulenburg (CC0)
Car

BMW i3

"Now think about my old leaf. That's more than my i3 has. Yes, exactly."
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5 Renault 5
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

5 Renault 5

"I mean, that's, I thought like the Renault 5 was cheap at 209, but to go up to an MGS5 EV,"
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Genesis GV60
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Genesis GV60

"and bought a used Genesis GV60 Premium. Absolutely loving it."
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Volkswagen Eup
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volkswagen Eup

"if you go back to something like a Volkswagen E-Up that wants a smartphone to connect"
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Renault 5
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Renault 5

"...ething else with a Google operating system like a Renault 5 would work reasonably"
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Hyundai Kona
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai Kona

"a new shape Honda Kona they're just creeping under that 18,000"
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Volkswagen Id4
Dennis Elzinga (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Volkswagen Id4

"an earlier Volkswagen ID.4 Enyaq which we obviously"
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Tesla Model 3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Tesla Model 3

"is a Tesla Model 3 I mean it's not high up"
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Tesla Model 3S
Granada (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Tesla Model 3S

"be another registration change and I reckon that will be under the $18,000 yeah plenty of Model 3's there aren't they"
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Kia EV3
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Kia EV3

"$25,000 I've been in a Kia EV3 and I've found a good car but at the moment"
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Audi S5
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi S5

"... be outside my budget however a pre-registered MG S5 EV, second mention for that"
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Suzuki Vitara
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Suzuki Vitara

"there is the new Suzuki E Vitara which I think we've been a bit"
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e Suzuki E Vitara
La Revue Automobile (CC BY 3.0)
Car

e Suzuki E Vitara

"there is the new Suzuki E Vitara which I think we've been a bit"
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Born Bourne
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Born Bourne

"but I don't think a Bourne would be"
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Ford Explorer
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Explorer

"I think there's also a Ford dealer so maybe an Explorer an Explorer or a Mustang Mach-E"
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Ford Mustang
Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang

"so maybe an Explorer an Explorer or a Mustang Mach-E does that count as an SUV"
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20 cars featured

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