EV Geek Podcast

Global EV sales are telling two VERY different stories in 2026. 🌎⚡
While Europe’s EV sales surged 33% in July, North America went in the opposite direction, with EV sales falling 27%. And that’s just the beginning.
In this episode of The Mini Charge from EV Geek Studios, Joel breaks down the latest global EV sales numbers for the first seven months of 2026 and explores why the electric vehicle market is increasingly splitting into regional winners and losers.
We’ll look at:
⚡ Global EV sales: Roughly 11.5 million plug-in vehicles sold worldwide so far in 2026🇪🇺 Europe: EV sales up 33% in July, with France, Germany and the UK seeing major growth🇺🇸 North America: EV sales down 27% in July as federal incentives disappear🔋 BEVs vs. PHEVs: Battery-electric vehicles are surging while plug-in hybrids decline🇨🇳 China: New Energy Vehicles reached a record 65.1% of retail auto sales⛽ Gas cars in China: ICE vehicle sales plunged an astonishing 44% in July🚗 BYD vs. Tesla: The two automakers continue to battle for global EV dominance🌎 Chinese automakers: BYD, Geely, SAIC and Leapmotor continue expanding globally
The biggest question may not be whether the EV transition is happening — it’s where it is happening fastest.
With Europe accelerating, China transforming its automotive market, and North American sales slowing, can U.S. legacy automakers continue competing on the global stage?
Or are some automakers in danger of being left behind?
👇 What do you think?Is the United States falling behind in the global EV race, or is this just a temporary slowdown?
Let us know in the comments!

Walmart just hit a HUGE milestone in the EV world—and this could be the beginning of something much bigger.
The retail giant has officially opened its 100th Walmart EV charging location, with 400kW chargers and at least 8 charging plugs at each site. But 100 locations is just the beginning. Walmart says it plans to expand to thousands of EV charging locations by 2030 across Walmart and Sam's Club stores.
With roughly 90% of Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart, this could become one of the most accessible EV charging networks in the country.
And Walmart isn't just installing chargers. The company is developing its own charging backend, working on credit card and tap-to-pay options, and building out a network designed around convenience and accessibility.
On this episode of The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down:
⚡ Walmart's 100th EV charging location⚡ Why Walmart is installing 400kW chargers⚡ The plan for THOUSANDS of charging locations by 2030⚡ Why charger reliability and the number of plugs may matter more than raw charging speed⚡ Walmart's plans for credit card and tap-to-pay charging⚡ What Walmart's massive retail footprint could mean for EV adoption⚡ Tesla Cybertruck sales and Tesla's surprising $5,000 price increases⚡ Hyundai's plan for 100 new models by 2030⚡ Hyundai's upcoming 600-mile Santa Fe EREV⚡ Why bigger EV charging sites may be better for drivers
Is Walmart quietly building one of the most important EV charging networks in America?
Let us know what you think in the comments!
🔌 The Friday Charge is brought to you by EV Geek Studios.
 

Polestar has effectively been kicked out of the U.S. market—and the reason why is raising some serious questions.
Starting with model year 2027, Polestar has been denied authorization to sell its EVs in the United States under the federal government's new Connected Vehicle Rule. That means no new Polestar 2, Polestar 3, or Polestar 4 sales in America unless something changes.
But here's where this story gets WILD:
The Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 are built side-by-side in South Carolina, share the same SPA2 platform, and have closely related software and technology. Yet Volvo received approval to continue selling the EX90 in the U.S.—while Polestar was denied.
And Polestar says the U.S. government hasn't even told them why.
In this Mini Charge, we break down:
⚡ Why Polestar was denied U.S. authorization🇺🇸 How the Connected Vehicle Rule works🇨🇳 How Polestar's ownership by China's Geely became a major issue🚙 Why the Volvo EX90 was approved while the Polestar 3 wasn't💰 Why Polestar is offering discounts of up to $25,000⚖️ Why a Polestar dealer is suing the automaker🔥 Allegations that Polestar may have been planning its U.S. exit for years📉 What this could mean for Polestar owners, resale values and future software support🌎 What this means for other automakers with Chinese ownership or technology ties
And perhaps the biggest question of all:
Would YOU buy a Polestar 3 for nearly $25,000 off knowing the brand is being pushed out of the U.S.?
Let us know in the comments!
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Vs under $30,000 are finally becoming a reality — and the next few years could completely change the electric car market. From the redesigned Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf to the upcoming Slate Truck, Kia EV3, and Ford Fathom, there are more affordable EVs coming than ever before.
In this episode of The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down the cheapest electric vehicles available in the U.S. right now, what you get for your money, and which upcoming EVs could shake up the market.
We cover:
⚡ 2027 Chevy Bolt — The cheapest new EV in America, with 262 miles of range and a starting price under $30K⚡ 2026 Nissan Leaf — 303 miles of range in the base model and a major redesign⚡ 2027 Toyota bZ — Toyota's more affordable electric crossover⚡ 2027 Subaru Uncharted — Over 300 miles of range for around $35K⚡ Chevrolet Equinox EV — 319 miles of range at its $35K starting price⚡ Slate Truck — A bare-bones electric pickup starting around $25K⚡ Ford Fathom — Ford's upcoming affordable electric pickup⚡ Kia EV3 — One of the most anticipated affordable EVs coming to America
And the biggest question:
If you had $30,000 to spend on an EV, would you buy one today or wait for what's coming?
Let us know in the comments!
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Genesis has finally pulled the wraps off its all-new GV90, but that's just the beginning of this week's EV news.
The GV90 is a massive electric luxury SUV packed with features that sound like they came straight from a concept car—including coach doors, no B-pillar, 657 horsepower, rear-wheel steering, air suspension, rotating front seats, heated wood floors, and even a built-in refrigerator. But with a huge 123 kWh battery producing just 310 miles of range, is Genesis leaving efficiency on the table?
And that's not all we're covering.
🤖 Waymo's Ojai robotaxi is now open to the public in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. We'll talk about what this new Chinese-built EV means for the U.S. robotaxi market.
🚕 Tesla gets approval for robotaxis in Las Vegas, but there's a catch. Tesla wanted up to 5,000 vehicles across Clark County, including airport service. Instead, regulators approved just 10 vehicles, with strict geofencing, a 45-mph speed limit, and no airport service.
We'll break down the latest developments in the robotaxi race, compare Tesla's approval with competitors like Waymo and Zoox, and look at what these restrictions could mean for Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.
Which story are you most interested in—the Genesis GV90, Waymo's Ojai, or Tesla's Vegas robotaxis? Let us know in the comments!
Subscribe to EV Geek Studios for more EV news, reviews, comparisons, and analysis.
 
 

EV Fast Charging Is Getting CRAZY Expensive — The DC Fast Charging Price War Explained! 
 
EV charging was supposed to be one of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle. Charge at home overnight and you can drive hundreds of miles for a fraction of the cost of gasoline.
But hit the highway and plug into a DC fast charger… and suddenly the math can look VERY different.
In this Mini Charge episode, we take an inside look at the growing EV DC fast charging price war and the battle between some of the biggest players in the industry — including Tesla, Walmart, and IONNA.
Why can a fast charge cost 2–3 times more than charging at home? What are demand charges, and why are they such a huge problem for charging companies? Why are some networks pushing subscriptions and memberships? And how could stationary battery storage eventually help bring charging prices back down?
We break down how the fast-charging business actually works, including:
⚡ Why DC fast charging is so much more expensive than charging at home⚡ How utility demand charges impact charging prices⚡ Tesla's non-Tesla Supercharging pricing and membership strategy⚡ Walmart's strategy for building its own fast-charging network⚡ Why IONNA could become a major force in highway charging⚡ Dynamic and time-of-use charging prices⚡ How battery-buffered charging stations could lower costs⚡ Whether EV fast charging can actually compete with gasoline⚡ How YOU can save money on your next EV road trip
The EV charging market is changing quickly. More chargers, more competition, new business models, and billions of dollars of investment could ultimately mean better reliability and lower prices for drivers.
But for now, knowing where, when, and how you charge can make a HUGE difference.
👇 What do you think?
Who will ultimately win the EV charging war — Tesla, Walmart, IONNA, Electrify America, or someone else?
Let us know in the comments!
And if you enjoy EV news, reviews, analysis, and deep dives, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next episode of The Friday Charge from EV Geek Studios!

Toyota just dropped official pricing and specs for the 2027 Toyota bZ—and they’re holding the price line to defend their massive sales momentum. Starting at 34,980(36,576 with destination), the bZ is making a serious play against the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Kia EV3.
 
In this episode, we break down every trim level, battery option, and real-world range figure—plus why the $37,980 XLE FWD Plus might be the sweet spot of the entire lineup. 
 
🔥 WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:
2027 Toyota bZ US & Canadian pricing breakdown
57.7 kWh vs 74.7 kWh battery specs and performance
Why the 18" wheels give you 15 MORE miles of range than the 20" wheels
Native NACS ports, battery preconditioning, and Plug & Charge upgrades
Canadian market pricing and delivery timelines (Arriving Sept 2026!)
Dealer strategy: Why buying a remaining 2026 bZ could save you thousands
💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Would you grab the 314-mile XLE Plus at $37K or spend the extra cash for the 338-hp AWD model? Leave your thoughts in the Q&A below!
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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!
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#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.
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#ElectricVehicles #AudiQ6etron #Audie-tron #EVNews #AutomotiveTech #EVEfficiency #Podcast