In today’s episode, we break down the latest updates on the new Tesla Cybertruck variant, what they mean for buyers, and whether the hype is finally meeting reality. We also dive into Waymo’s rapid expansion into new cities, what it signals for the future of autonomous driving, and how quickly robotaxis are becoming mainstream.

Plus, we cover the Volvo EX30 recall, what caused it, how serious it is for owners, and what this means for Volvo’s fast-growing electric lineup.

If you follow electric vehicles, autonomous tech, or the future of transportation, this episode has everything you need to stay informed.

Topics covered:

• Tesla Cybertruck updates and production changes

• Waymo expansion and the robotaxi rollout

• Volvo EX30 recall details and owner impact

• What this means for the EV market moving forward

New episodes every week covering the biggest stories in EV news, tech, and industry trends.

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Headline: The era of the $100,000 "luxury toy" EV is ending. Meet the $30,000 "appliance" cars coming to save your wallet.

Description: As the global EV market hits the "Luxury Ceiling," a new breed of affordable, practical electric vehicles is emerging to win over the mass market. In today’s episode, we break down why legacy giants like Hyundai and Chevy are pivoting away from "flashy" and doubling down on "boring."

What we’re plugging into today:

• The Used EV Boomerang: Why used EV sales are up 21% while new sales struggle, and how you can snag a 2023 model for half price.

• The Hyundai Elexio Deep Dive: We look at the $38k "Model Y Fighter" and the LFP battery technology making it possible.

• The Infrastructure Legal War: A federal judge just unfroze $5 billion in NEVI funding. Find out what this means for "charging deserts" across America.

• The Hybrid Pivot: Why Lamborghini and Stellantis are retreating from pure-EV plans and what it signals for the future of your next car.

Whether you're an EV enthusiast or a skeptic waiting for the right price, this episode reveals why the next few years of electrification will look a lot more like a Toyota Camry and a lot less like a spaceship.

Resources Mentioned:

• J.D. Power 2026 EV Experience Study

• Cox Automotive February Market Pulse

• Federal NEVI Funding Court Ruling (Judge Tana Lin)

Is 2026 the year that defines Rivian?

With the launch and production ramp of the all-new Rivian R2, Rivian is projecting a major delivery surge — but this isn’t just about selling more vehicles. It’s about survival, scale, and proving the EV startup model can actually work long term.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why the R2 is Rivian’s most important vehicle ever

• How it compares to the Tesla Model Y

• Whether Rivian can improve margins while increasing production

• The manufacturing challenges behind scaling EVs

• The competitive pressure from Tesla and legacy automakers

• What investors will be watching in 2026

The R1T and R1S built Rivian’s brand. The R2 has to build the business.

If Rivian executes, this could be the moment it transitions from promising EV startup to real mass-market contender. If it misses? The road ahead gets much harder.

EV adoption headlines may sound mixed in 2026 — slowing growth rates, charging concerns, price wars — but the people who actually drive electric vehicles are sending a very different message.

According to new research from J.D. Power, 96% of EV owners say they would consider buying another electric vehicle, the highest satisfaction rate ever recorded.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why EV owner satisfaction is at record levels • What drivers love most about going electric • The psychology behind EV loyalty • Home charging vs. public charging realities • Why sales growth can slow even when owners are happy • What this means for the long-term future of EV adoption

Is the EV transition stronger than the headlines suggest?

If you're considering buying an electric vehicle — or just want the real story behind the data — this episode gives you the full breakdown.

🎙️ New episodes every week covering EV news, industry trends, charging networks, automakers, and the future of transportation.

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Volvo has announced a global recall affecting more than 40,000 EX30 electric SUVs due to a potential battery overheating issue that could pose a fire risk. In this episode, we break down exactly what’s happening, why owners are being told to limit charging to 70%, and what this means for EV safety moving forward.

Is this a rare manufacturing defect — or a warning sign for the broader electric vehicle industry?

We dive into:

• What caused the Volvo EX30 recall • How lithium-ion battery thermal runaway works • Why EV fires get more attention than gas vehicle fires • What affected owners should do right now • How this impacts Volvo’s safety reputation • The bigger picture for EV adoption in 2026

If you drive electric — or are thinking about buying an EV — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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In this February 20, 2026 episode of The Friday Charge, Joel and Sebastian break down Ford’s new Universal EV platform — including its upcoming compact electric pickup, structural LFP battery pack built in the U.S., 400V architecture, 48V electrical system, reduced part count, and software-defined vehicle strategy.

We also cover:

• Tesla avoiding a California DMV suspension after dropping the “Autopilot” name and rebranding FSD as “FSD Supervised”

• JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study showing 96% EV loyalty

• Volvo rolling out its new Volvo Car UX over-the-air update to older EVs

• Polestar’s plan to launch four new EVs by 2028, including updates to the Polestar 4, Polestar 5, next-gen Polestar 2, and the upcoming Polestar 7

Is Ford’s $30,000 EV too good to be true? Is Tesla’s timing suspicious? And are we officially past the EV tipping point?

Plug in and let’s get into it.

If you enjoy the show, follow the podcast and leave a 5-star rating — it helps more EV enthusiasts find The Friday Charge.

EV growth slowed in the U.S. in 2025 while hybrid sales surged. Did automakers overestimate demand?

We analyze the data, the tax credit impact, infrastructure gaps, profitability pressures, and why hybrids became a strategic hedge. Was this a miscalculation — or just a recalibration?

A deep dive into what 2025 really revealed about the EV transition.

In 2025, global EV sales continued growing — topping 20 million units worldwide. But in the United States, the story was more complicated.

Hybrid vehicles gained market share, EV growth slowed after federal tax credits expired, and automakers began adjusting their electrification strategies.

In this episode, we break down the full 2025 data and explain:

• U.S. EV market share trends • Hybrid growth rates and why they held steady • The impact of tax credit expiration in late 2025 • Interest rates and affordability pressures • Charging infrastructure perception vs reality • Insurance and repair cost concerns • Why automakers are recalibrating their EV timelines

Is this a temporary pause in EV momentum — or a longer-term shift toward hybrid dominance in America?

If you’re trying to understand where the market is really heading in 2026 and beyond, this episode breaks it down clearly and objectively.