{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Tesla Robotaxi setback, Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/tesla-robotaxi-setback-mercedes-benz-cla-ev-bollinger-is-over-and-more","audioUrl":"http://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Electrek_413.mp3","description":"\nIn the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss a big Tesla Robotaxi setback, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more.\n\n\n\nToday’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. Sales end on Dec. 8th for its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.\n\n\n\nAs a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.\n\n\n\nAfter the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:\n\n\n\n\nApple Podcasts\n\n\n\nSpotify\n\n\n\nOvercast\n\n\n\nPocket Casts\n\n\n\nCastro\n\n\n\nRSS\n\n\n\n\nWe now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.\n\n\n\nHere are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:\n\n\n\n\nElon Musk slashes Tesla Robotaxi fleet goal from 500 to ~60 in Austin\n\n\n\nElon Musk admits other automakers don’t want to license Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’\n\n\n\nTesla announces expected FSD approval date in Europe, regulators deny\n\n\n\nTesla faces class action over Powerwall recall that leaves people with bricked batteries\n\n\n\nThe Mercedes-Benz CLA EV starts at under $48,000 with impressive driving range\n\n\n\nBollinger Motors is dead again – probably for good this time\n\n\n\n\nHere’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:\n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/live/OsXJ2KY7VYY\n\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":80.5,"endTime":81.5,"type":"company","title":"Tesla","url":"/glossary/tesla","quote":"...But let's start out with Tesla as usual. And it's RoboTaxi heavy...","canonicalId":"company:tesla","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its innovative approach to automotive technology and sustainability.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tesla is a car company that makes electric vehicles and focuses on new technologies to help the environment."}},{"startTime":90.0,"endTime":91.0,"type":"term","title":"autonomy","url":"/glossary/autonomy","quote":"...I mean, I'm hype about autonomy. I think autonomy is coming...","canonicalId":"term:autonomy","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Autonomy in vehicles refers to the ability of a car to drive itself without human intervention, using various technologies such as sensors and artificial intelligence.","simplifiedExplanation":"Autonomy means that a car can drive itself without needing a person to control it, using special technology to do so."}},{"startTime":389.4,"endTime":396.7,"type":"term","title":"accidents","url":"/glossary/accidents","quote":"...we know that Tesla already had seven reported accidents with RoboTaxi in Austin...","canonicalId":"term:accidents","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"In the context of autonomous vehicles, accidents refer to incidents where the vehicle collides with another object or person, resulting in damage or injury. The discussion highlights the frequency of accidents involving Tesla's RoboTaxi compared to human drivers.","simplifiedExplanation":"Accidents are when cars crash into something or someone. The conversation talks about how often these self-driving cars have accidents compared to regular drivers."}},{"startTime":417.4,"endTime":426.9,"type":"term","title":"RoboTaxi","url":"/glossary/robotaxi","quote":"...the state of RoboTaxi right now. And Elon also said that by the end of the year, well, he said that a few months ago now...","canonicalId":"term:robotaxi","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"RoboTaxi refers to autonomous taxi services that operate without a human driver. Tesla has been developing this technology, aiming to provide a fully self-driving ride-hailing service.","simplifiedExplanation":"RoboTaxi is a type of taxi that drives itself without a human driver. Companies like Tesla are working on making this technology safe and reliable."}},{"startTime":457.9,"endTime":463.0,"type":"term","title":"autonomous vehicles","url":"/glossary/autonomous-vehicles","quote":"Well, Waymo's RoboTaxi doesn't have a safety monitor. They do when they first launch in a new service area. But when they actually announced we have a RoboTaxi service available...","canonicalId":"term:autonomous-vehicles","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Autonomous vehicles are cars or trucks that are capable of navigating and driving themselves without human intervention, using a combination of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence. They represent a significant advancement in automotive technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"Autonomous vehicles are cars that can drive themselves without needing a person to control them. They use special technology to see and understand their surroundings."}},{"startTime":457.9,"endTime":463.0,"type":"company","title":"Waymo","url":"/glossary/waymo","quote":"If you're going to compare it to Waymo, which is the go to thing that people do they compare, you know, Tesla and Waymo as the two leader and autonomous vehicles.","canonicalId":"company:waymo","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company) that focuses on developing autonomous driving technology and services, including their RoboTaxi service. They are considered one of the leaders in the field of self-driving cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Waymo is a company that builds self-driving cars and offers a taxi service that doesn't need a driver. It's part of Google's efforts to create autonomous vehicle technology."}},{"startTime":489.6,"endTime":494.2,"type":"term","title":"FSD","url":"/glossary/fsd","quote":"Oh, yeah. Elon had a big admission also this week regarding Tesla's autonomous effort. And this, this one is an interesting one. So this one is more about FSD and RoboTaxi.","canonicalId":"term:fsd","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"FSD stands for Full Self-Driving, which is Tesla's advanced driver-assistance system that aims to enable fully autonomous driving capabilities. It includes features like automatic lane changes, traffic light recognition, and navigation on autopilot.","simplifiedExplanation":"FSD means Full Self-Driving, which is Tesla's technology that allows their cars to drive themselves with little or no human input. It includes features that help the car navigate and follow traffic rules."}},{"startTime":546.2,"endTime":551.8,"type":"brand","title":"Ford","url":"/glossary/ford","quote":"...that automaker, most likely was Ford, because Jim Farley, Ford CEO, did comment on talks with Tesla...","canonicalId":"brand:ford","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Ford is a well-known American automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. The company has a long history in the automotive industry and is recognized for models like the Ford F-150 and Mustang.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ford is a major car company in the United States that makes many different types of vehicles, like trucks and cars. They are famous for models like the Ford Mustang and the Ford F-150 truck."}},{"startTime":566.9,"endTime":572.28,"type":"term","title":"LiDAR","url":"/glossary/lidar","quote":"...and he even went as far as stating that he believed that Waymo is better and he sees that for level four and up LiDAR is...","canonicalId":"term:lidar","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging, a technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the environment. It is commonly used in autonomous vehicles for navigation and obstacle detection.","simplifiedExplanation":"LiDAR is a technology that helps cars see their surroundings by using lasers to measure distances. It creates a 3D map of the area, which is useful for self-driving cars to avoid obstacles and navigate safely."}},{"startTime":653.7,"endTime":660.9,"type":"term","title":"Level 4","url":"/glossary/level-4","quote":"...responsibility if something happens, which is, you know, what Level 4 is and Level 3 to a certain degree...","canonicalId":"term:level-4","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Level 4 automation indicates a higher level of vehicle autonomy where the car can operate without human intervention in specific conditions or environments. This level can handle all driving tasks and does not require a driver to take control unless it operates outside its designated area.","simplifiedExplanation":"Level 4 means the car can drive itself completely without needing a driver to take over, but only in certain areas or situations."}},{"startTime":660.9,"endTime":666.8,"type":"term","title":"Level 3","url":"/glossary/level-3","quote":"...to switch over from the drivers to the system or vice versa, I should say. And this is not like crazy talk. Like obviously, Level 4 way more was its own insurance system for that...","canonicalId":"term:level-3","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Level 3 automation refers to a level of vehicle autonomy where the car can handle most driving tasks but requires the driver to be ready to take control when needed. This level allows for some hands-free driving but still relies on human intervention in certain situations.","simplifiedExplanation":"Level 3 means the car can drive itself most of the time, but you still need to be ready to take over if something goes wrong."}},{"startTime":705.9,"endTime":712.2,"type":"company","title":"BYD","url":"/glossary/byd","quote":"...some of them are taking responsibility for it. BYD, for example, for its auto part feature, if something happens, they'll cover the cost...","canonicalId":"company:byd","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"BYD is a Chinese automaker known for its electric vehicles and battery technology. The company has been rapidly expanding its capabilities and product offerings, particularly in the electric vehicle market.","simplifiedExplanation":"BYD is a car company from China that makes electric cars. They are known for covering costs if their car features cause damage."}},{"startTime":1193.9,"endTime":1194.9,"type":"concept","title":"EVs","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"...but I'm seeing a lot of Chinese EVs here, Andy and BYD, and I'm seeing some like European, but for the most part,...","canonicalId":"concept:ev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely or partially by electricity. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower operating costs and environmental benefits compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"EVs stand for electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. They are often seen as better for the environment because they produce fewer emissions."}},{"startTime":1232.6,"endTime":1233.6,"type":"concept","title":"power grid","url":"/glossary/power-grid","quote":"...the power grid seems to go down like almost every day here. I mean, every day I've been here,...","canonicalId":"concept:power-grid","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The power grid is the network that delivers electricity from producers to consumers. In areas where the power grid is unreliable, electric vehicle owners may need to find alternative ways to charge their vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The power grid is the system that provides electricity to homes and businesses. If it goes down, people might not have power to charge their electric cars."}},{"startTime":1646.1,"endTime":1654.9,"type":"car","title":"Mercedes-Benz CLA 250","url":"/cars/mercedes-benz/cla-c117","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/MERCEDES-BENZ_CLA_%28C117%29_China.jpg","quote":"So now we have all the details on the Mercedes Benz CLA EV pricing and range have been released. And it's, it's impressive...","canonicalId":"car:mercedes-benz:cla-c117","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a compact luxury sedan that features advanced technology and performance. The '250' designation indicates a specific engine and trim level within the CLA lineup.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a small luxury car known for its stylish design and technology features. It's part of the CLA series, which is designed to be sporty and fun to drive.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1664.4,"endTime":1673.7,"type":"term","title":"EQ technology","url":"/glossary/eq-technology","quote":"the 226 CLA 250 plus with EQ technology, so that's the electric version starts at $47,250...","canonicalId":"term:eq-technology","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"EQ technology refers to Mercedes-Benz's electric vehicle and hybrid technology, which includes electric drivetrains and battery systems designed for efficiency and performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"EQ technology is Mercedes-Benz's name for their electric cars and hybrid systems. It focuses on making cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline."}},{"startTime":1664.4,"endTime":1673.7,"type":"term","title":"kWh battery pack","url":"/glossary/kwh-battery-pack","quote":"starts at $47,250 with the 85 kWh battery pack for 374 miles of range on a full charge.","canonicalId":"term:kwh-battery-pack","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A kWh (kilowatt-hour) battery pack measures the energy capacity of an electric vehicle's battery. It indicates how much energy the battery can store and affects the vehicle's range.","simplifiedExplanation":"A kWh battery pack shows how much energy an electric car's battery can hold. The more kWh, the longer the car can drive on a single charge."}},{"startTime":1840.1,"endTime":1847.1,"type":"concept","title":"electric truck","url":"/glossary/electric-trucks","quote":"...it was a truck. So they were early in trying to make an electric truck. And they were using...","canonicalId":"concept:electric-trucks","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"An electric truck is a vehicle powered entirely by electricity, typically using batteries instead of traditional gasoline or diesel engines. These trucks are designed to reduce emissions and can offer lower operating costs compared to their combustion engine counterparts.","simplifiedExplanation":"An electric truck runs on electricity instead of gas or diesel. They are better for the environment because they don't produce harmful emissions."}},{"startTime":1851.7,"endTime":1857.5,"type":"car","title":"Tesla Cybertruck","url":"/cars/tesla/cybertruck","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/2024_Tesla_Cybertruck_Foundation_Series_IMG_0576.jpg","quote":"...even though cyber truck is not necessarily simple in some ways with the apex of the roof and all that. But they had this idea of making like just a rugged, simple vehicle that's all electric...","canonicalId":"car:tesla:cybertruck","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric pickup truck designed by Tesla, known for its distinctive angular design and stainless steel exoskeleton. It aims to combine utility with performance, featuring high towing capacity and advanced technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Tesla Cybertruck is a futuristic-looking electric pickup truck made by Tesla. It has a unique design and is built to be very strong and useful for various tasks.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1994.3,"endTime":1999.4,"type":"brand","title":"Scout","url":"/glossary/scout","quote":"...I really like their consumer designs for the vehicle. Now I feel like Scout is kind of the the one that's like taking over this this specific segment. And I like Scout, they're doing some good stuff.","canonicalId":"brand:scout","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Scout is a brand that has been revitalized to produce vehicles that appeal to both electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts and traditional gas vehicle consumers. The brand originally gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with its rugged, off-road capable vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Scout is a car brand that makes vehicles for both electric and gas drivers. It used to be popular a long time ago and is now making a comeback with new designs."}},{"startTime":2010.4,"endTime":2015.3,"type":"term","title":"gas option","url":"/glossary/gas-option","quote":"...they have the gas option. So and the EV purists are kind of like having a tough time with the gas option.","canonicalId":"term:gas-option","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The 'gas option' refers to vehicles that are powered by traditional gasoline engines, as opposed to electric powertrains. This option appeals to consumers who prefer the familiarity and performance characteristics of gas-powered vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The 'gas option' means that a car runs on gasoline instead of electricity. Some people prefer this because they are used to it and like how it drives."}},{"startTime":2345.6,"endTime":2350.8,"type":"company","title":"Aptera","url":"/glossary/aptera","quote":"Let's switch gears to Aptera. Any new takes on Aptera now that looks like they're finally making a bit of progress toward assembling potentially dozens of vehicles?","canonicalId":"company:aptera","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Aptera is an American automotive company that specializes in electric vehicles, particularly known for its unique solar-powered design. The company aims to produce highly efficient vehicles with a focus on sustainability.","simplifiedExplanation":"Aptera is a company that makes electric cars. They are known for creating cars that can use sunlight to help power them, making them very energy-efficient."}},{"startTime":2468.3,"endTime":2475.0,"type":"term","title":"self-driving","url":"/glossary/self-driving","quote":"All right, moving on from the YouTube, I've seen 14.2 looks like a breakthrough for self driving that started the March of nine.","canonicalId":"term:self-driving","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Self-driving refers to a vehicle's ability to navigate and operate without human intervention, utilizing advanced sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence. This technology aims to improve safety and convenience in transportation.","simplifiedExplanation":"Self-driving means that a car can drive itself without anyone controlling it. It uses special technology to see and understand the road, making it safer and easier to get around."}},{"startTime":2531.1,"endTime":2536.8,"type":"concept","title":"bi-directional charging","url":"/glossary/bidirectional-charging","quote":"...with instability and climate chaos across the globe, bi-directional charging is turning greater use.","canonicalId":"concept:bidirectional-charging","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Bi-directional charging refers to the ability of an electric vehicle to both receive and send electricity back to the grid or other devices. 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They own several car brands, including Chevrolet."}},{"startTime":2603.0,"endTime":2611.0,"type":"term","title":"cutting costs","url":"/glossary/cutting-costs","quote":"...Cuscutting is a big thing. Like Elon love Cuscutting. They remove everything from these cars...","canonicalId":"term:cutting-costs","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Cutting costs refers to the practice of reducing expenses in order to improve profitability or efficiency. In the automotive context, this can involve removing features, using cheaper materials, or streamlining production processes.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cutting costs means spending less money. In cars, it can mean taking away features or using cheaper parts to save money."}},{"startTime":2820.7,"endTime":2825.8,"type":"term","title":"BEV","url":"/glossary/bev","quote":"...this is nice to see Mercedes build a truly competitive BEV sedan competition breeds innovation...","canonicalId":"term:bev","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle, which is a type of electric vehicle that is powered entirely by electricity stored in batteries, without any internal combustion engine. This makes them environmentally friendly and often cheaper to operate than traditional vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"BEV means Battery Electric Vehicle. It's a car that runs only on electricity and doesn't use gas at all, making it better for the environment."}},{"startTime":2844.1,"endTime":2849.1,"type":"company","title":"Polestar","url":"/glossary/polestar","quote":"...I was just looking at the Polestar website and they're advertising a 12 year corrosion guarantee...","canonicalId":"company:polestar","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Polestar is a performance electric vehicle brand that originated from Volvo and focuses on creating high-performance electric cars. They emphasize sustainability and innovative design in their vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Polestar is a car company that makes electric vehicles. They are known for their stylish designs and focus on being environmentally friendly."}},{"startTime":2890.0,"endTime":2895.0,"type":"term","title":"corrosion prevention system","url":"/glossary/corrosion-prevention-system","quote":"...you should treat it to, there's anti-conversion corrosion prevention system, clear code to the house...","canonicalId":"term:corrosion-prevention-system","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A corrosion prevention system is designed to protect a vehicle's metal components from rust and deterioration, especially in harsh environments where road salt is used. This can include treatments like undercoating and applying protective coatings to vulnerable areas.","simplifiedExplanation":"A corrosion prevention system helps keep cars from rusting, especially in places where they use salt on the roads in winter. It includes special treatments to protect the metal parts of the car."}},{"startTime":2895.0,"endTime":2898.0,"type":"term","title":"clear coat","url":"/glossary/clear-coat","quote":"...there's anti-conversion corrosion prevention system, clear code to the house...","canonicalId":"term:clear-coat","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Clear coat is a transparent layer of paint applied over a vehicle's base color to protect it from UV rays, scratches, and environmental damage. It enhances the car's appearance and helps maintain its value by preventing fading and oxidation.","simplifiedExplanation":"Clear coat is a shiny, protective layer that goes over the paint on a car. It helps keep the color looking good and protects it from things like sun damage and scratches."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"9to5Mac","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/tesla-robotaxi-setback-mercedes-benz-cla-ev-bollinger-is-over-and-more/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}