EV Geek Podcast

Rivian just made some BIG changes to the R1 lineup for 2027—and one of them has R1S owners celebrating.
After years of requests, 2nd-row captain’s chairs are FINALLY coming to the Rivian R1S! And there’s more than just a new seating option.
In this episode, we break down everything changing for the 2027 Rivian R1S and R1T, including:
🔹 R1S Captain’s Chairs are finally here!🔹 Heated seats, individual armrests, cupholders & folding capability🔹 Captain’s chairs pricing and the packages required to get them🔹 Rivian’s new Premium, Performance & Quad trim structure🔹 The new Long Range and Power Upgrade options🔹 New colors inspired by the upcoming R2🔹 New standard wheels for the R1S and R1T🔹 What’s changing—and what isn’t—for the R1T🔹 The significant 2027 R1 price increases🔹 Why the higher starting price isn’t quite what it looks like🔹 The end of Rivian’s Standard/LFP configuration
The 2027 R1 lineup is getting simpler, more expensive, and arguably more customizable. But is Rivian’s new pricing worth it?
Let us know what you think: Would you choose the new R1S captain’s chairs or stick with the bench seat?
 

The official US pricing and EPA range figures for the 2027 Kia EV3 are finally revealed—and it’s even cheaper than expected! Starting under $30,000 with up to 321 miles of range, native Tesla NACS charging, and available AWD, the EV3 might just be the most important affordable EV of the year.
In this video, we break down all 5 trim levels (Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT), official battery specs, real-world charging speeds, and how the EV3 stacks up against rivals like the Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model 3.
 
⚡ KEY 2027 KIA EV3 SPECS:• Base Price: $29,890 ($31,385 inc. destination)• Top Range: 321 Miles (81.4 kWh FWD)• Standard Range: 221 Miles (58.3 kWh Light FWD)• AWD Power: Up to 288 HP (EV3 GT)• DC Fast Charge: 10% to 80% in 29 mins• Native Charging Port: Tesla NACS built-in
💬 What do you think of the Kia EV3 pricing? Would you buy the sub-$30k base model or pay extra for the 321-mile range? Let us know in the comments below!
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more EV news, reviews, and market breakdowns!
#KiaEV3 #Kia #ElectricVehicles #EVNews #CarReview #AffordableEV #TechNews

The EPA said 301 miles... real-world testing said 337! 🚗⚡ 
In this episode, we break down why the 2027 Audi Q6 e-tron is destroying official range and efficiency estimates—and how it managed to beat its expensive platform-twin, the Porsche Macan EV. 
We look under the sheet metal to analyze Audi's brand-new PPE 800V platform, hair-pin stator motors, silicon carbide inverters, and thermal management to reveal how luxury EVs are finally getting light and efficient.
💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS:• 12% Range Bonus: Tested at 337 real-world miles vs 301 EPA miles.• 16% Efficiency Gain: Observed 29.3 kWh/100 miles (beating 35 kWh estimate).• Next-Gen Tech: 800V architecture, 270 kW DC fast charging (10-80% in ~21 mins).• Pricing Advantage: Beats the Porsche Macan 4S range while costing $20,000+ less.
🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Hit the follow button and rate us 5 stars on Spotify to never miss an update!
#ElectricVehicles #AudiQ6etron #Audie-tron #EVNews #AutomotiveTech #EVEfficiency #Podcast

Ford has officially revealed the name of its upcoming affordable electric pickup—and it's called the Ford Fathom. More importantly, Ford has also given us our first look at pricing, and it could shake up the entire EV truck market.
With a starting price of just $28,350 (before destination), the Ford Fathom is positioned to compete directly with the Slate Truck while offering a four-door cabin and an impressive list of standard technology.
 
Could the Ford Fathom become the affordable electric truck buyers have been waiting for? Or will competitors like Slate, Tesla, Rivian, and Chevrolet still have the advantage?
Watch now and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
👍 If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss the latest EV news, reviews, and industry updates.
#Ford #FordFathom #ElectricTruck #EV #ElectricVehicles #EVNews #FordEV #BlueCruise #SlateTruck #Tesla #Rivian #Chevrolet #AffordableEV #EVGeekStudios

Volvo’s next electric SUV is coming to dethrone the Tesla Model Y—and it’s starting under $50,000! Built on Volvo's brand-new software-defined SPA3 platform, the upcoming EX50 delivers 800V ultra-fast charging, over 300 miles of range, and a roomier interior for thousands less than the outgoing EX40.
We dive deep into the numbers, production timelines out of Košice, Slovakia, and how Volvo plans to win over American EV buyers despite current trade tariffs.
#Volvo #EX50 #ElectricVehicles #TeslaModelY #EVNews #VolvoEX50

Audi just dropped preliminary specs for its cheapest EV yet—the all-new A2 e-tron—and it’s officially the most efficient Audi in the history of the brand! 
In this episode, we break down how Audi managed to extract an incredible 12.8 kWh per 100 km (4.85 miles per kWh) and up to 403 miles of WLTP range out of a compact footprint. 
Key topics covered in this breakdown:• The A2 Heritage: Reviving a legend for the electric era• Aerodynamic Tricks: Active grille shutters, air curtains, and a 0.24 drag coefficient• Battery Architecture: Cell-to-Pack LFP tech & an impressive 89.6% wallbox charging efficiency• Grid Tech: Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) bidirectional capabilities• Market Outlook: Sub-€40k European pricing... and why this model won't be coming to the US market
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the show and leave a 5-star rating on Spotify!
#Audi #EVs #ElectricVehicles #AudiA2etron #AutomotiveTech #EVCharging

This week on The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down the biggest EV stories making headlines!
⚡ This week's topics include:
Mercedes officially unveils the all-new GLA EV with 800V architecture, up to 320kW charging, and an impressive claimed range.
Volvo drops LiDAR from the EX90 and ES90—what does this mean for the future of driver assistance and autonomous driving?
The Rivian R2 is finally in the hands of reviewers! We discuss the first real-world highway range tests, charging performance, and whether its charging speed makes up for the lower-than-expected range.
Plus, our thoughts on Hyundai's Pleos software platform and what it could mean for the future of connected vehicles.
Whether you're shopping for an EV, following the latest industry news, or just love electric vehicles, we've got you covered.
What do you think?👇 Let us know in the comments:
Is the Mercedes GLA EV a vehicle you'd consider?
Does Volvo's decision to remove LiDAR make sense?
Is the Rivian R2's real-world range good enough, or is charging speed more important?
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Friday Charge.

Hyundai Motor Group is officially overhauling its digital cabin. Starting in 2027, Kia vehicles will begin featuring Pleos Connect—a brand-new, Android-based infotainment platform designed to power the next generation of software-defined electric vehicles.
In today’s episode, we break down what this major tech shift means for future EV owners:
• What is Pleos Connect and how does Android Automotive OS change the in-car experience?• Why Hyundai and Kia are keeping physical backup buttons alongside giant touchscreens.• Gleo AI: How context-aware voice assistance actually works on the road.• Scaling to 20 Million EVs: The plan for continuous over-the-air updates and a third-party app ecosystem.
Got thoughts on pure touchscreens vs. physical buttons in modern EVs? Leave a comment or send us a message in the Spotify app!
Enjoyed the show? Tap the follow button, leave us a 5-star rating, and share this episode with fellow EV enthusiasts.
#ElectricVehicles #EVNews #Kia #Hyundai #PleosConnect #CarTech #SoftwareDefinedVehicle #TheFridayCharge

BMW has officially built its 50,000th Neue Klasse iX3 electric SUV at its new Debrecen plant in Hungary—marking the fastest production ramp-up in BMW Group history.
Join us for a full breakdown of the flagship iX3 50 xDrive and the newly announced entry-level iX3 40. We discuss battery capacities, 800-volt 400kW charging speeds, real-world range, and BMW's plans for the upcoming iX4 and high-performance M models through 2027.
Enjoying the podcast? Hit the follow button and leave a 5-star review to support the show!

The world's best-selling car is finally going electric, but Toyota is facing an uphill battle it didn't see coming.
A rare behind-the-scenes look inside Toyota’s R&D center revealed prototype footage of the upcoming Toyota Corolla EV, alongside candid admissions from top leadership that the company is struggling to keep pace with rapid Chinese EV development.
Instead of a clean-sheet EV skateboard architecture, Toyota is underpinning the next-gen Corolla with a flexible platform designed for BEVs, Plug-In Hybrids, Traditional Hybrids, and Gas engines. Is this "one-size-fits-all" approach the ultimate bridge strategy—or a dangerous compromise in 2026?