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Get Yourself a Biscuit

Get Yourself a Biscuit

Charging Status | EV Podcast Jun 01, 2026 51 min
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About this episode

Hosts bounce between EV and PHEV real-world impressions, starting with the Geely EX5: strong software and interior, but a numb, soft driving feel that can be improved via OTA. They compare efficiency and charging claims, then talk test-route fit with the Jeep Compass Electric and the “N” models’ driving difficulty. The conversation turns to artificial EV sound effects and simulated crackles, before reality-checking plug-in hybrid MPG drops once the battery is depleted. Teases upcoming reviews like the Volkswagen Tiguan and a Morgan.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Evitara

"...d in for review this? Speaker 1: So at the Suzuki Evitara, which I don't know if you've seen the video on t..."

The e Vitara is a Suzuki Vitara that uses electricity in some way to help with efficiency. It’s the kind of vehicle people look at when they want an electrified SUV. The podcast mentions it because it’s being reviewed.

Car

Suzuki Evitara

"[96.0s] Speaker 1: So at the Suzuki Evitara, which I don't know if you've seen the video on that one, but I have. I was disappointed with that car in quite a few ways... [237.7s] Speaker 1: ...it felt like a car that had been completely set up for off-road use... [290.8s] Seventy seventy kilowatt maximum charging as well... [442.1s] Speaker 2: You're gonna go- No, like seven, sub 100 kilowatt now."

They’re talking about the Suzuki Evitara EV. The host says it feels like it was built for off-road use, but on normal roads it’s disappointing—especially its range, charging speed, and overall driving feel.

Term

RD

"[126.0s] ...it seemed. And I guess it's simply because they're so far behind in terms of RD, because they thought it was all going to be a fad."

RD means research and development—basically how much a company invests in new technology. The host thinks some Japanese brands didn’t put enough effort into EVs early on.

Term

ICCU issues

"[175.8s] ...the Korean stuff has been very, very good for a a a good while now, apart from the ICCU issues."

ICCU issues are problems with a charging-control computer in some EVs. The host is saying some Korean EVs have had known trouble in that area.

Term

WLTP figure

"[175.8s] ...that was a car that delivered massively short of the WLTP figure... [201.4s] ...it was like fifteen degrees all week... So you weren't blasting the air con one way or the other."

WLTP is the official testing method used to estimate an EV’s range. The host is saying the car didn’t get close to that advertised range in real use.

Term

air con

"[201.4s] ...it was like fifteen degrees all week... It was rainy... So you weren't blasting the air con one way or the other."

Air con is the car’s air conditioning. In an EV, running it can use extra electricity, which can reduce range—so they’re saying the test conditions weren’t extreme.

Term

all-wheel drive

"[237.7s] Speaker 1: ...and from what I understand, the all-wheel drive version is pretty brilliant... [257.5s] But I did four wheel — the front wheel drive version..."

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. The host says the AWD version works much better for off-road than the front-wheel-drive version.

Term

infotainment system

"[274.7s] ...so I felt like it didn't drive that well. — the interior was not that good, the infotainment system felt like it was from fifteen years ago..."

The infotainment system is the car’s main screen and controls for things like music, navigation, and settings. They’re saying this one feels old and clunky.

Term

kW

"[290.8s] ...Seventy seventy kilowatt maximum charging as well... [442.1s] ...sub 100 kilowatt now."

kW (kilowatts) is a unit of power used to describe EV charging speed. The host discusses charging in terms like “seventy kilowatt” and “sub 100 kilowatt,” using kW to argue whether the car can recharge quickly enough.

Term

maximum charging

"[290.8s] ...Seventy seventy kilowatt maximum charging as well. In twenty twenty six... [442.1s] Speaker 2: You're gonna go- No, like seven, sub 100 kilowatt now."

Maximum charging is the fastest rate the EV can charge at. They’re saying this car’s top charging speed (around 70 kW) is slow enough to make charging less convenient.

Term

hill descent control

"[326.6s] Speaker 2: ...they've got the off road course... [326.6s] ...there's very steep... declines where it has to use all the hill descent control. And it was very important. Like nothing seemed to phase it."

Hill descent control helps the car creep downhill safely and steadily without you having to constantly brake. The host says it mattered a lot on the steep downhill sections they drove.

Place

Millbrook

"[326.6s] Speaker 2: Maybe. Yeah. — I drove the Evitara at SMMT. So SMMT at Millbrook. — they've got the off road course..."

Millbrook is a test track/proving ground where cars are driven on controlled routes. They drove the EV there as part of an event to see how it handles rough terrain.

Car

Suzuki Jimny

"... the ground clearance. It's massively tall like a Jimny was. So, but if you take, take that out of the pr..."

The Suzuki Jimny is a small SUV designed to go over rough ground. It sits higher than many cars, which helps it deal with bumps and uneven roads. The podcast mentions it because of how tall and clearance-focused it is.

Car

Suzuki Swift

"Speaker 2: Yeah, the Suzuki Swift, the new one. Lovely car to drive. that expensive. So, oh, what a shame. Yeah, you're right."

The Suzuki Swift is a small, everyday car. The hosts are saying the newest one doesn’t feel like it matches the price/value you’d hope for.

Car

Toyota Chr

"...them really. mean, from what I understand the new Toyota CHR plus I think is quite good, but I've not driven o..."

The Toyota C-HR is a small SUV/crossover meant for everyday driving. It’s designed to be easy to live with—small enough for city use but still offering more space than a typical sedan. The podcast mentions it because the speaker is interested in the newer version but hasn’t driven it.

Car

Galaxy Geely Ex5

"...st month. I've had, what have I had? I've had the Geely EX5. I ⁓ wasn't massively impressed with that car rea..."

The Galaxy EX5 is an electric car from Geely’s Galaxy lineup. The podcast mentions it because the host recently drove it and didn’t feel very impressed. It’s part of their ongoing set of EV reviews and impressions.

Term

chassis wasn't attached to the body of the car

"Speaker 2: ...at times it felt like the chassis wasn't attached to the body of the car. Yeah. Like it was just a lot of movement."

They mean the car feels like it moves around too much instead of feeling solid and connected. That usually makes the steering and handling feel less precise.

Car

BMW X5

"...products in a row the past month. I've had the GD X5, the Smart Hashtag One, and I've got the Volvo V6..."

The BMW X5 is a large family-style SUV made for comfort and everyday driving. People talk about it because it’s a practical size and it can be used like a normal car, even though it’s bigger. It’s mentioned because the podcast host has been driving different cars recently.

Term

software quirks

"Speaker 1: ...there are a few software quirks and things and it's on the software side of things, it's not a perfect experience."

They’re talking about small problems or weird behavior in the car’s computer system. The host thinks they could be fixed later by updating the car wirelessly.

Term

over the air update

"Speaker 1: ...nothing that an over the air update couldn't just immediately resolve."

An over-the-air (OTA) update is a wireless software update delivered to the car, similar to how phones update apps. For EVs, OTA updates can improve charging behavior, fix bugs, and refine infotainment or driver-assistance features without visiting a dealer.

Term

miles per kilowatt hour

"…loads of it on the motorway, like probably eighty percent of it on the motorway, I think I ended up on three point nine miles per kilowatt hour in a car…"

It’s a way to measure how efficiently an EV uses its battery. If the number is higher, the car can go farther on the same amount of battery energy.

Term

claimed range

"…claimed range of four hundred and forty ish at the long range version, and you know real world, you you're looking at…"

This is the distance the manufacturer says the EV can go on one full charge. Real life can be different because your speed and conditions change how much energy you use.

Concept

real world

"…claimed range of four hundred and forty ish at the long range version, and you know real world, you you're looking at…"

“Real world” means how the car does in everyday driving, not in lab tests. Your speed, weather, and how you drive can make the results different from the official numbers.

Term

kilowatt hour battery

"…390, so hundred hundred kilowatt hour battery, basically. Yeah. Yeah."

That’s how big the EV’s battery is, measured in kWh. Bigger usually means you can store more energy and potentially drive farther, but it’s not the only factor.

Term

four hundred kilowatt charging

"…if you do need to plug it in, four hundred kilowatt charging, all by the shouting."

This means the car can charge very fast using a high-power charger. Faster charging power can mean less time at the station, assuming the car and charger support it.

Term

efficiency

"…it had not amazing efficiency, but the same size battery as that MG… The efficiency was almost three…"

Here, “efficiency” means how much energy the EV uses to drive. If it’s efficient, you get more miles from the same battery energy.

Car

Smart Hashtag 1

"However, one thing that wasn't bland that I had this month was the Smart Hashtag 1. …in the market for like a ish electric hatchback, small SUV, definitely go and test drive one…"

The Smart Hashtag 1 is a small electric car. The host thinks it’s a good choice if you want an EV that feels a bit different from the usual options.

Company

Mercedes

"…as soon as they started this new collab between Mercedes and Julie, they launched the hashtag one."

Mercedes is mentioned because it’s involved in a partnership behind the Smart EV lineup. The host is using it to explain why the Hashtag 1 exists when it does.

Company

Julie

"…this new collab between Mercedes and Julie, they launched the hashtag one."

The host mentions a partner company in the Smart EV collaboration, but the name in the transcript is unclear. It’s being used to explain where the Hashtag 1 program came from.

Term

rear wheel drive

"No really nice car. It's, it's, it's weird because it's rear wheel drive. So you get a nice driving experience."

Rear-wheel drive means the back wheels do the pushing. The host thinks it makes the car feel more fun and nicer to drive.

Car

Honda E

"Rear wheel drive on a sp a small chassis is awesome, isn't it? Yeah, that's that's why the Honda E was so good."

The Honda E is a small electric car. The host likes that it’s rear-wheel drive because it can feel more engaging to drive.

Car

Jeep Compass Electric

"but something else I drove at SMMT was the new ⁓ Jeep Compass Electric. ⁓ And I took it on the Alpine course, which is completely the wrong place for that car."

The Jeep Compass Electric is an electric version of the Compass. The host tested it on a course and says it felt better on simpler roads than on twisty parts.

Place

Alpine course

"And I took it on the Alpine course, which is completely the wrong place for that car. Like utterly the wrong place."

The “Alpine course” is a test track or route designed to feel like mountain driving. The host thinks that kind of course wasn’t right for this EV.

Concept

road test

"So I thought I'm gonna try and give it a little road test. ⁓ but I didn't want to go onto that twisty little city course."

A “road test” is an evaluation drive where the car is assessed in real-world-like conditions rather than just on paper or in a showroom. Here, the host uses it to describe trying different parts of the event route to judge how the EV behaves.

Car

Jeep Cherokee

"...e table, I am a Jeep fan. Like I love like an old Cherokee or something where they're just a box. I just thi..."

The Jeep Cherokee is an SUV made for everyday driving and light off-road use. Some older versions are known for a simple, box-like shape. The podcast mentions it because the speaker is a fan of that older style.

Term

Easter eggs

"and it's there are lo it's one of those things where in the design they've put loads of Easter eggs in."

Easter eggs are fun hidden details in the design. The host is saying the Jeep Compass has small clever touches you notice when you look closely.

Car

Dodge Avenger

"...ich I was surprised by 'cause I thought maybe the Avenger would have been. Yeah. ⁓ but apparently not. I gu..."

The Dodge Avenger is a regular car (a sedan) designed for daily driving. It’s not mainly built for off-road or extreme performance. The podcast brings it up because the speaker was surprised by how it turned out compared with what they expected.

Term

powertrain

"But it th the E V powertrain really does suit it."

A powertrain is what makes the car move. In an EV, it’s the electric motor and the parts that send power to the wheels.

Company

Stellantis

"Yes, but in No, not really. That's good though. it seems like Stellantis make sort of cookie cutter cars."

Stellantis is a big car company that owns several different car brands. The host is saying some of those brands feel very similar, while others feel more unique.

Brand

Alfa

"It's it's weird though, there are some brands within Stellantis that have always felt quite different, aren't they? Like Alpha."

Alfa Romeo is an Italian car brand. The host is using it to say some brands within the same big company still feel more distinctive than others.

Brand

Citron

"for example. ⁓ where Vauxhall and Citron seem to be sort of pretty much joined at the hip on"

Citron likely means Citroën, another car brand in the same big company. The host is saying Vauxhall and Citroën feel very similar.

Brand

Vauxhall

"Like Alpha. ⁓ although they like some of the entry level cars are obviously borrowed. Yeah. And they they I've always felt that they share more with Jeep and and one or two others than they do with Vauxhall, for example."

Vauxhall is a car brand. The host is saying it tends to feel more similar to other brands in the same group, compared with Jeep or Alfa Romeo.

Term

gear selector buttons

"And ⁓ the gear selector buttons are very similar to what you find in a Fiat five hundred E. Yeah. They're not they're not the same."

These are buttons you use to choose gears instead of a stick. The host is saying the layout feels similar to another small car’s system, even if it’s not exactly the same.

Car

Fiat five hundred E

"And ⁓ the gear selector buttons are very similar to what you find in a Fiat five hundred E. Yeah. They're not they're not the same."

The Fiat 500e is an electric Fiat. They’re using it as an example of how the gear buttons are laid out inside.

Car

5N

"how did you find it compared to the 5N? Because obviously I've driven the five N a lot. and sort of driven it in anger a fair bit."

“5N” refers to Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N. They’re saying it’s an EV that’s been tuned to be more fun to drive, and it feels easier to control than the other N model they’re comparing it to.

Topic

SMMT

"what else I drove at SMMT. I think ⁓ the INX six N, of course. Of course. what a thing."

SMMT is an automotive event where people get to drive new cars and meet the companies behind them. The hosts are describing how hectic it was.

Term

comfort mode

"And again, you you put it into eco mode or comfort mode, whatever it is, and it it just feels like an INX six…"

Comfort mode is a setting that makes the car feel smoother and less aggressive. It’s meant to be nicer for everyday driving.

Term

eco mode

"it just feels like an INX six, which is a brilliant car, like sps so underrated, I think the INX six brilliant lease deals on those at the moment, by the way, by leasing dot com…"

Eco mode is a setting that makes the car use less energy. It usually makes the accelerator feel calmer, so you get better efficiency.

Term

fake engine sounds

"some people are getting very upset with the fake engine sounds and the gears and stuff. Really? But I wouldn't every day."

Some EVs play artificial sounds to mimic an engine. The hosts are debating whether those sounds are fun or annoying, especially when you’re driving hard.

Term

pops and bangs

"on a track, absolutely I'm gonna turn it all on and I'm gonna giggle every time it pops and bangs and you know and I'm g I'm gonna play about with the gears."

“Pops and bangs” are the little crackling sounds that sound like an exhaust. Some EVs can simulate them for a more exciting driving experience.

Car

Volkswagen Golf

"So I had a cheeky go in a, not an old GTI, but like a Mark seven, which was sort of like the pinnacle of the golf, I think."

“Mark seven” means the seventh generation of the Volkswagen Golf. They’re saying the Golf GTI from that era is a highlight and was a lot of fun on track.

Car

Polo GTI

"Same with the Polo as well. The Polo GTI is underrated."

The Polo GTI is the sporty, performance version of the Volkswagen Polo. They’re saying it’s a fun little hot hatch that doesn’t get enough credit.

Term

N62 time

"Speaker 1: What I did do though is talk about N62 time in that car, which everyone seems to report as six and a half seconds. And then I've looked at the press pack this morning and it's eight point two."

It’s basically a lap-time benchmark from the Nürburgring race track in Germany. People use it to compare how quick cars are, but the exact number can vary depending on who tested it and how.

Car

Volkswagen Up Gti

"... a bit of a bonus. Speaker 2: No. Yeah. I like my up GTI as well. It's not very quick, but it's so much fu..."

The Volkswagen up! GTI is a small sporty hatchback. It’s made to be fun to drive and easy to handle, especially in tight spaces. The podcast notes that it isn’t very quick, but it’s still enjoyable.

Car

Volvo V60

"This week I've got the Volvo V60. Um, so I've, it's the first Volvo I've driven properly really. ... The one I've got is the T8."

The Volvo V60 is a wagon (station wagon) that the host is reviewing. They’re talking about how it drives and how the screens/tech feel, especially in the T8 plug-in hybrid version.

Term

Plug-in hybrid

"Plug-in hybrid. But you can, in certain places, you can tell that it's not a brand new car."

A plug-in hybrid is a car that uses both electricity and gas. You can charge it by plugging it in, but it also has a gas engine for when the battery runs low.

Term

driver information display

"But the I think the driver information display, I love that. I think that's great. But the infotainment screen feels a bit and s like some of the interior just feels feels like a used car almost."

The driver information display is the screen behind or near the steering wheel that shows key driving info. The host likes this part more than the main infotainment touchscreen.

Term

Google Maps baked into the infotainment screen

"the one I've got, it's got Android Automotive. So it's got Google Maps baked into the infotainment screen."

They mean the navigation app (Google Maps) is built into the car’s screen. So you don’t always need to set it up through your phone.

Term

Android Automotive

"the one I've got, it's got Android Automotive. So it's got Google Maps baked into the infotainment screen."

Android Automotive is the software platform that runs the car’s main screen. In this Volvo, it means things like Google Maps are built in and you can use apps.

Term

electric range

"Speaker 1: Yeah. What's the ⁓ electric range on it? ... Apparently it's 60 miles. I've been seeing 50, but it does seem to drain its battery quite quickly."

Electric range is how far the car can go on battery power alone. The host says they’re seeing around 50–60 miles, and driving style (especially accelerating) affects it a lot.

Term

MPG

"you'll see like 70 MPG, but once the battery's dead, you'll see like 20. ⁓ yeah, strange. I'm always a bit confused about plug-in hybrids because I just think, I don't know."

MPG means how far the car can go on one gallon of fuel. With plug-in hybrids, the number can look very good when you’re driving on battery power, but it can get worse once the battery runs out.

Concept

home charging

"for me that there's too much there going on. And yes, you could plug it in and do your local journeys cheap perhaps if you can charge from home. ... there'll be a lot of people in those cars now that have got access to home charging"

Home charging means charging the car at your house, often overnight. If you can do that, you’re more likely to start each day with a full battery and use less gas.

Topic

Kia Day

"next week we've got a Kia Day and we will definitely record a podcast. Because we need to ⁓ we need to be getting the podcasts out a bit thicker and faster."

“Kia Day” is an upcoming event where they plan to record a podcast. It’s not really about car tech—it’s more about what’s coming next.

Topic

Western Group of Motorwriters annual drive day

"we're both members of the Western Group of Motorwriters and we've got our annual drive day the following day, haven't we? So ⁓ which is like a a little miniature SMMT."

They’re talking about an annual event where car makers bring cars for people to drive. It’s basically a media test-drive day.

Car

Volkswagen Tiguan

"...as good. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I've got the, Volkswagen Tiguan next week. Oh yeah. I'm quite looking forward to ..."

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that’s meant to be practical for daily life. It offers room for passengers and cargo without being as large as a full-size SUV. It’s mentioned because the host is planning to review or test it soon.

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