Everything EV

Recorded on Tuesday 27 October, the day before the Budget. Richard Alvin and George East ask who is actually going to decide Britain's electric future, now that the Prime Minister has stepped back from the ZEV mandate decision.

Plus Tesla's bruising week, China's megawatt charging war, roads that charge your car, the BMW iX5, Citroën's 2 CV Concept, Li Auto, Volvo, Alpine, a million Geely EX2s, Formula E at COTA and more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:46) Burnham steps back: who decides the ZEV mandate?

(10:50) Tesla's bad week: Cybertruck axed in Australia

(16:09) China's megawatt charging war

(18:36) Roads that charge your car

(21:28) BMW iX5 beats its own charging figure

(25:40) Citroën's 2CV comeback

(27:32) Li Auto is coming to the UK

(29:06) Volvo's cheaper electric SUV

(31:55) Alpine: brand before volume

(34:24) Geely EX2 hits a million

(35:33) Formula E v F1 at COTA

(37:23) Niclas Grönholm's RallyX return

(38:50) Used Audi Q4 e-tron buyer's guide

(40:13) Electric motorbike gearbox and next week

More at evpowered.co.uk · @evpowered · editorial@evpowered.co.uk

Images: BMW Group, Citroën, Li Auto, Volvo Cars, Alpine, Formula E, Audi AG, Electreon. Via Wikimedia Commons: Tesla Cybertruck by Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0; BYD megawatt charging by iMoD Official, CC BY 3.0; Geely EX2 by Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0; FC1-X by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0

Richard Alvin and George East cover a bumper fortnight of EV news. Europe's retro fightback at the Paris Motor Show (Peugeot E-T16, Citroën 2 CV, RCZ Vision, Renault E-Space, Alpine A310). China's next wave (BYD Atto 8, Zeekr 9X, Li Auto, Avatr). Tesla's new Roadster with thrusters and its delivery small print. Plus Waymo, Geely and Chery's UK push, Volvo and NVIDIA, touchscreens vs phones, the UK Budget, Formula E's Tinder deal, and reviews of the MG4, Polestar 5, Xpeng L03 and Fiat Topolino.

More EV news, reviews and test drives: https://evpowered.co.uk

Presented by Richard Alvin and George East. Everything EV is an EV Powered podcast.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Coming up

0:46 Paris promises, Texas theatrics

2:06 Paris Motor Show: Peugeot E-T16, 2 CV, RCZ Vision, E-Space, A310

4:55 Heritage vs originality: can Europe beat China?

8:46 BYD Atto 8 and Chinese build quality

12:24 Zeekr 9X vs Range Rover

14:07 "It's just a car"

17:03 Li Auto and Avatr come to Europe

20:07 Tesla Roadster revealed: thrusters and a "flying car"

24:17 The small print: deposits and delivery

26:10 Halo cars: SpaceX, Jaguar Type 01 and the E-Type

28:02 Waymo vs a New York yellow cab

29:13 Tesla's promises and Q3 numbers

31:01 Will teenagers still learn to drive?

32:40 Chinese brands' UK rollout: Geely, Chery, iCAUR

36:39 Volvo and NVIDIA: eyes-off driving

39:47 Touchscreens vs phones: Euro NCAP

43:45 UK Budget and charging infrastructure

49:09 Our new Formula E podcast

49:59 Formula E: Tinder, Gen4 and Season 13

56:47 Reviews: MG4, Polestar 5, Xpeng L03

58:44 Fiat Topolino

Matt Allan and George East are fuelled by rage this week. Matt loses 20 minutes hunting for the Mazda 6e's rear demister, September is a record month for UK EV registrations, Jaguar finally reveals the Type 01, Porsche confirms the electric Boxster and Cayman, Aston Martin pushes its first EV back again, and George can't see the point of Kia's new GT range. Then Matt cheers everyone up with the Polestar 5.

(00:00) Intro

(00:58) Matt's Mazda 6e rant

(06:48) Record September for EVs and the ZEV mandate

(12:19) Jaguar Type 01 revealed

(19:44) Porsche confirms electric Boxster and Cayman

(22:08) Aston Martin delays its first EV

(25:13) Kia's EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT

(31:30) Polestar 5 driven

(38:36) Wrap-up and what's next

More at evpowered.co.uk · @evpowered · editorial@evpowered.co.uk

Volkswagen's ID.4 is becoming the ID. Tiguan, Geely says it can charge an EV in four minutes, and an Audi A6 e-tron has driven 831 miles on a single charge. In this week's Everything EV, Matt Allan and George East go through the biggest electric car news, plus first drives of the Peugeot E-208 GTI and MG4 Urban.

First up is the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan. VW has sold around 900,000 ID.4s, but the car has never quite won people over. The updated model now takes the name of a car that has sold 8.3 million. Matt and George look at why familiar badges matter, and how the ID. Tiguan fits alongside the ID. Polo and ID.3 Neo.

Then it's the Chinese charging race. Geely has unveiled a 2.25MW system that takes a battery from 10 to 70% in four minutes, beating BYD's 1.5MW flash charging. The fastest-charging cars on sale in the UK manage around 400kW. Can the grid keep up, and does anyone need charging that fast?

There's good news closer to home. New SMMT figures show 171 electric models on sale in the UK, double the number of three years ago, and the average EV now offers 300 miles of range. Add 46 EVs priced under £30,000, and the team reckon range anxiety is running out of road.

Also this week: European Rally Champion Miko Marczyk drives an unmodified Audi A6 Sportback e-tron 831 miles on one charge, beating Lucid's 748-mile record. And the Tesla Roadster launch is postponed again, this time to 15 October.

In this episode:

• Volkswagen ID. Tiguan: the ID.4 gets a new look and a famous name
• Geely's 2.25MW charging against BYD's flash chargers, and the grid problem behind them
• SMMT data: 171 EVs on sale in the UK and a 300-mile average range
• Audi A6 Sportback e-tron sets an 831-mile single-charge record
• Tesla Roadster launch delayed to 15 October
• MG4 Urban driven: dull to drive, but big, cheap and efficient
• Peugeot E-208 GTI driven: 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds, but would Matt swap his Cupra Raval for one?

Also from EV Powered: Plugged In

Our long-form interview podcast, Plugged In, is running alongside the weekly show. Episode one, with Richard Morgan of Electric Classic Cars, is out now. Next up is Dr Andy Palmer on getting the Nissan Leaf off the ground, joined-up energy infrastructure and how legacy brands can take on the Chinese challengers. Search "Plugged In EV Powered" wherever you listen.

Read more on all these stories at evpowered.co.uk, email the team at editorial@evpowered.co.uk and follow @evpowered on social media and YouTube.

Volvo is planning 30 new cars by the end of 2030, and electric estates and saloons could be back. In this week's Everything EV, Matt Allan and George go through Volvo's big strategy announcement. They also cover a new wave of electric hot hatches and a 1,100bhp electric car from Saudi Arabia.

First up is Volvo. Outgoing CEO Håkan Samuelsson has set out 30 new models across three regions: seven for Europe and the US on the SPA2 and SPA3 platforms, and six China-only cars built on Geely technology. He also admitted Volvo may have "leant a little bit too hard" into SUVs, and physical buttons are coming back. Matt and George share their electric Volvo wish list, including an EX70 Cross Country, and look at what new boss Klaus Zellmer brings from Skoda.

Then there are the hot hatches. The Volkswagen ID.3 GTI replaces the GTX and promises to be the most powerful GTI yet. It's based on the ID.3 Neo and shares its 322bhp rear motor with the Cupra Born VZ. Can it fix the ID.3's reputation? Vauxhall is also teasing an Astra GSE for 2027, previewed by a GS Line car at the Paris Motor Show, to follow the Corsa and Mokka GSE. The team look at how it could compare with the ID.3 GTI, Born VZ and MG4 XPower, and what Stellantis might charge for it.

Finally, Saudi Arabia is building electric cars. Its new brand Ceer is launching a saloon and an SUV with three-motor all-wheel drive, around 1,100bhp, falcon-inspired gullwing doors and a 48in screen. Five more models are promised by 2030.

In this episode:

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Volvo's 30-car plan for 2030, and the return of electric estates, saloons and physical buttons

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Volkswagen ID.3 GTI: a proper hot hatch or a rebadged GTX?

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Vauxhall Astra GSE confirmed for 2027, and why 2026 has been a great year for electric hot hatches

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Ceer, Saudi Arabia's 1,100bhp electric saloon and SUV

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Next week: George drives the Peugeot e-208 GTi

New: Plugged In

Our new long-form podcast, Plugged In, is out now. In the first episode, we meet Richard Morgan, founder of Electric Classic Cars, to talk about converting classics from VW Beetles to Ferrari Testarossas to electric power. Search "Plugged In EV Powered" wherever you listen.

Read more on all these stories at https://evpowered.co.uk, email the team at editorial@evpowered.co.uk and follow @evpowered on social media.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt says goodbye to his long-term Renault 5 after six months of living with one of the year's most celebrated electric cars, before introducing its replacement – the all-new Cupra Raval VZ.

The pair also discuss Volvo's latest updates to the XC60 and EX40, Dacia's all-new Spring, Volkswagen's astonishing 794-mile efficiency concept, and Tesla's long-awaited Roadster... again.

This week's highlights

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Living with the Renault 5 – Matt reflects on six months with one of the most awarded EVs of the year

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Cupra Raval VZ arrives – The Renault 5's replacement promises genuine hot hatch thrills

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Volvo XC60 & EX40 – George gets an early look at Volvo's significantly updated best sellers

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New Dacia Spring – Europe's cheapest EV gets a complete redesign and a much bigger battery

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Volkswagen Mission Efficiency – VW achieves an incredible 794-mile journey on a single charge using a production powertrain

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Tesla Roadster returns... maybe – Elon Musk promises the long-awaited electric supercar will finally be revealed

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BYD overtakes Tesla in UK interest – Search data suggests Chinese brands continue their remarkable rise

Big Talking Point

Has the Renault 5 set a new benchmark for affordable electric cars? After more than six months behind the wheel, Matt explains why it's one of the very few long-term test cars he'll genuinely miss.

Polestar's UK boss has written to the new Prime Minister asking him not to water down the ZEV mandate, and he is one of very few people in the car industry saying it. Matt Allan and George East go through what Matt Galvin actually wants from Andy Burnham, and which of his asks stands any chance of happening.

Also this week, the Fiat 500e has had £3,750 taken off its list price, making it the third cheapest electric car in Britain at £17,250, six years after launch. Matt and George ask whether that is enough when the Renault Twingo, VW ID.1 and Kia EV1 all arrive with newer engineering at similar money, and whether an Electric Car Grant on used cars would do more good than anything else currently on the table.

There is new search data too. Money Supermarket figures put the BYD Seal ahead of the Tesla Model Y as the most searched for EV in the UK, on 916,000 Google searches against 897,000. Matt also gives his verdict on the updated Ford Explorer after driving it on British roads, including why the £58,000 all wheel drive car is the wrong one and the rear wheel drive Extended Range version is the one to buy.

Plus the Smart #2 heading to Paris, the Lotus Emeya lap record nobody asked for, flying taxis, and the best EV road trips for summer.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, George is once again joined by EV Powered Editor-in-Chief Richard Alvin while Matt enjoys a well-earned break in France.

Richard reports back from the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where electric cars dominated the famous hill climb, while George explores some of the biggest new EV announcements from the event and beyond. Together they discuss whether the UK’s biggest motoring festival has reached a tipping point, with EVs now taking centre stage alongside the world’s greatest performance cars.

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They also look at the stunning new Range Rover Electric, BYD’s growing dominance with Denza and MG, the remarkable new Mercedes-AMG CLA, and why Formula E’s next generation of racing cars could influence the EVs we all drive in the future.

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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026 – Richard reports from the world’s biggest celebration of performance cars, where EVs stole the show

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Range Rover Electric – First impressions of Land Rover’s most important new model in decades

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Denza Z9 GT & Bao 5 – BYD’s premium brands make a huge statement in the UK

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MG Cyber SUV & MG Go – MG previews its future with two bold new electric models

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Mercedes-AMG CLA EV – A 670bhp electric super saloon arrives with Formula One technology

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Formula E Gen4 – The next generation of electric racing arrives, complete with AI-assisted driver coaching

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MG IM5 review – George spends a week with MG’s 741bhp electric flagship and discovers some genuinely clever technology

Has Goodwood officially become the world’s most important EV event? With electric cars dominating the hill climb, major manufacturers unveiling flagship models and Formula E’s Gen4 car making its public debut, George and Richard discuss whether electrification has finally become the main event rather than the supporting act.

This week’s highlights

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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026 – Richard reports from the world’s biggest celebration of performance cars, where EVs stole the show

•

Range Rover Electric – First impressions of Land Rover’s most important new model in decades

•

Denza Z9 GT & Bao 5 – BYD’s premium brands make a huge statement in the UK

•

MG Cyber SUV & MG Go – MG previews its future with two bold new electric models

•

Mercedes-AMG CLA EV – A 670bhp electric super saloon arrives with Formula One technology

•

Formula E Gen4 – The next generation of electric racing arrives, complete with AI-assisted driver coaching

•

MG IM5 review – George spends a week with MG’s 741bhp electric flagship and discovers some genuinely clever technology

Big Talking Point
Has Goodwood officially become the world’s most important EV event? With electric cars dominating the hill climb, major manufacturers unveiling flagship models and Formula E’s Gen4 car making its public debut, George and Richard discuss whether electrification has finally become the main event rather than the supporting act.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, George is joined once again by EV Powered Editor-in-Chief Richard Alvin while Matt enjoys a well-earned break in France.

The pair discuss a landmark month for the UK EV market as plug-in vehicles outsell petrol cars for the very first time, ask whether the UK’s charging infrastructure is keeping pace with demand, and examine why BYD has once again overtaken Tesla as the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturer.

There’s also a look at Bentley’s dramatic electric future, the latest from Renault UK boss Adam Wood, a preview of the biggest EV debuts heading to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and a look at the next chapter for Formula E.

•

UK EV sales hit a major milestone – Plug-in vehicles outsell petrol for the first time

•

Charging network under pressure – More chargers are arriving, but are they being installed quickly enough?

•

BYD overtakes Tesla – The Chinese giant becomes the world’s largest EV manufacturer once again

•

Bentley EXP 15 concept – Crewe previews its luxurious all-electric future

•

Renault’s EV strategy – George sits down with Renault UK Managing Director Adam Wood to discuss the company’s electric renaissance

•

Goodwood Festival of Speed preview – Alpine A110 EV, McMurtry Speirling, Yangwang U9, BMW Neue Klasse and much more

•

Formula E enters the Gen4 era – New circuits, sprint races and faster cars

Has the UK EV market finally reached its tipping point? With battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles now outselling petrol cars, George and Richard discuss whether electrification has officially become mainstream — and what still needs to happen next.

This week’s highlights

•

UK EV sales hit a major milestone – Plug-in vehicles outsell petrol for the first time

•

Charging network under pressure – More chargers are arriving, but are they being installed quickly enough?

•

BYD overtakes Tesla – The Chinese giant becomes the world’s largest EV manufacturer once again

•

Bentley EXP 15 concept – Crewe previews its luxurious all-electric future

•

Renault’s EV strategy – George sits down with Renault UK Managing Director Adam Wood to discuss the company’s electric renaissance

•

Goodwood Festival of Speed preview – Alpine A110 EV, McMurtry Speirling, Yangwang U9, BMW Neue Klasse and much more

Formula E enters the Gen4 era – New circuits, sprint races and faster cars

Big Talking Point

Has the UK EV market finally reached its tipping point? With battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles now outselling petrol cars, George and Richard discuss whether electrification has officially become mainstream — and what still needs to happen next.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt is preparing to head off on holiday, but not before joining George to discuss another busy week in the world of electric cars. From Toyota’s surprisingly impressive estate EV to BMW’s next-generation flagship SUV, plus affordable new city cars and some very strange news from the United States.

Matt also shares his thoughts after spending a week with the new Toyota bZ4X Touring, while George takes a closer look at BMW’s all-new iX5, Skoda’s long-awaited seven-seat electric SUV and Honda’s latest affordable EV. The pair also debate whether Fiat has gone too far with its latest micro-mobility idea and discuss why Polestar has found itself in political hot water in America.

•

Toyota bZ4X Touring review – Matt discovers Toyota’s estate EV is far more appealing than expected

•

BMW iX5 revealed – Neue Klasse technology arrives in BMW’s flagship electric SUV

•

Nissan Leaf gets cheaper – New entry-level model brings nearly 300 miles of range for under £29,000

•

Skoda Epiq breaks cover – Skoda’s seven-seat flagship EV is finally here

•

Honda Super EV – Honda prepares to launch a £19,000 city car in the UK

•

Fiat Multiplina – Fiat revives the spirit of the original Multipla with a tiny four-seat urban EV

•

Polestar banned in the US? – The surprising political story affecting the Swedish EV brand

Has Toyota quietly built one of the most likeable family EVs on sale? Matt explains why the bZ4X Touring succeeds where the standard SUV never quite convinced him.

This week’s highlights

•

Toyota bZ4X Touring review – Matt discovers Toyota’s estate EV is far more appealing than expected

•

BMW iX5 revealed – Neue Klasse technology arrives in BMW’s flagship electric SUV

•

Nissan Leaf gets cheaper – New entry-level model brings nearly 300 miles of range for under £29,000

•

Skoda Epiq breaks cover – Skoda’s seven-seat flagship EV is finally here

•

Honda Super EV – Honda prepares to launch a £19,000 city car in the UK

•

Fiat Multiplina – Fiat revives the spirit of the original Multipla with a tiny four-seat urban EV

•

Polestar banned in the US? – The surprising political story affecting the Swedish EV brand

Big Talking Point
Has Toyota quietly built one of the most likeable family EVs on sale? Matt explains why the bZ4X Touring succeeds where the standard SUV never quite convinced him.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt is back after a short break and joins George to discuss a busy week of electric car news, including Kia’s latest family SUV, Volkswagen’s redemption story, BMW’s hugely anticipated new electric 3 Series, and Honda’s newest affordable EV.

Matt also shares his thoughts after a week with the Kia EV5, while George has been living with the Volkswagen ID.7and believes it may finally be the electric Passat buyers have been waiting for. Together they debate whether Kia has produced its first “average” EV, why Volkswagen has quietly transformed its ID range, and whether BMW’s new i3 could become the benchmark premium electric saloon.

• Kia EV5 review – Has Kia finally produced an EV that’s merely good rather than class-leading?
• Volkswagen ID.7 – George spends a week with VW’s flagship electric saloon and discovers a genuine return to form
• BMW i3 pricing confirmed – Is BMW’s 500-mile premium EV worth the extra money over a Tesla Model 3?
• Renault Megane E-Tech update – Renault refreshes the EV that started its electric renaissance
• Honda Super EV – Honda’s £19,000 city car prepares to shake up the affordable EV market
• The future of small EVs – Why affordable city cars could become the most important battleground of the next few years

Have Kia’s own high standards become its biggest challenge? Matt and George discuss why the EV5 is perfectly competent but somehow less exciting than every other electric Kia that has come before it.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, George is joined once again by EV Powered Editor-in-Chief Richard Alvin while Matt is away on business.

Together they discuss Renault’s latest addition to its growing EV range, BYD’s astonishing new ultra-fast charging network, BMW’s upcoming electric M3, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the UK’s EV transition.

George has been soaking up the sunshine in Barcelona behind the wheel of the new Renault 4 Plein Sud, while Richard looks at whether government policy is helping or hindering the electric vehicle revolution. They also explore why women remain underrepresented among EV buyers and whether the UK risks losing investment if it weakens its commitment to electrification.

• Renault 4 Plein Sud review – George drives the open-top version of Renault’s award-winning compact EV
• BYD Flash Chargers – Chinese giant plans 1,500kW charging network capable of adding hundreds of miles in minutes
• BMW M3 EV concept – Quad-motor, 1,000bhp performance flagship edges closer to reality
• ZEV Mandate controversy – Rumours of a government rethink raise concerns across the EV industry
• Peugeot E-208 GTI – The electric hot hatch receives the EV grant and enters the market at under £34,000
• Women and EV ownership – New research suggests female buyers remain significantly underrepresented in the EV market
• Tesla Cybercab – Tesla finally reveals technical details of its steering-wheel-free autonomous taxi

With EVs now accounting for a record 27.3% of new UK car registrations, are electric vehicles finally becoming “just cars” rather than a separate category? George and Richard discuss whether the market has reached a tipping point.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, George is joined by EV Powered Editor-in-Chief Richard Alvin while Matt is away on business. Together they tackle another week of EV news, from Peugeot’s new electric hot hatch and Alfa Romeo’s hatchback revival to the growing dominance of battery electric vehicles in the UK market.

The pair also discuss Dodge’s puzzling return to Europe, Audi’s quality concerns, and why EVs are increasingly becoming the default choice rather than the alternative.

• Peugeot E-208 GTI revealed – Can Peugeot’s latest electric hot hatch live up to the legendary GTI badge?
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta returns – Stellantis confirms a new electric family hatchback based on its next-generation EV platform
• Lancia Gamma unveiled – Is this worthy of one of Italy’s most famous automotive names?
• EVs hit a record 27.3% UK market share – Battery electric vehicles become the largest single powertrain category in the UK market
• Dodge Charger EV heads to Europe – But does anyone actually want an electric American muscle car?
• Audi cuts Q4 e-tron prices – Is lower pricing enough to solve concerns over quality and competitiveness?

Are EVs now simply becoming “cars” rather than a separate category? With record sales, falling prices, more affordable models and growing consumer acceptance, George and Richard discuss whether the transition has finally reached a tipping point.

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt and George dive into a packed week of electric car news, from Alfa Romeo’s long-awaited return to the family hatchback segment to another wave of Chinese investment in Europe.

Matt also shares his thoughts after a week with the Kia K4, prompting an unexpected discussion about whether modern EVs have made traditional petrol family cars feel a little… outdated.

The pair also debate the controversial new Lancia Gamma, the ongoing social media outrage surrounding Ferrari’s first EV, and what MG’s new European factory means for the future of electric cars on the continent.

• Kia K4 – Has living with EVs changed the way we think about conventional family cars?
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta returns – A new electric hatchback is coming and could be one of Stellantis’ most important launches
• Lancia Gamma revealed – Is this a worthy revival of a famous Italian nameplate?
• Ferrari Elettrica backlash – Why are people so angry about Ferrari’s first EV?
• MG returns to European production – New Spanish factory signals the next stage of China’s EV expansion
• The future of family hatchbacks – Why manufacturers are finally moving away from SUVs again

Alfa Romeo Giulietta returns, Ferrari EV backlash and MG’s European factory | Everything EV Podcast

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt and George tackle another packed week of electric car news - from Ferrari’s controversial EV debut to the possible return of one of the most iconic small cars ever made.

Matt shares his thoughts on the charming new Fiat Grande Panda, while the pair debate Ferrari’s bold new electric supercar and whether the backlash is completely overblown. There’s also discussion around Ford’s fresh European EV strategy, Polestar finally listening to customer complaints, and why Citroën’s reborn 2CV EV could be one of the most important affordable electric cars of the decade.

• Fiat Grande Panda review – Matt gets behind the wheel of Fiat’s cheerful new Renault 5 rival
• Ferrari Elettrica – Ferrari’s first EV sparks outrage… but does it deserve it?
• Citroën 2CV EV revival – The legendary French icon is returning as a low-cost electric car
• Ford’s European EV reboot – Fiesta and Focus replacements could be built with Renault tech
• Polestar brings back buttons – Has the Swedish EV brand finally admitted touchscreens went too far?
• Future affordable EVs – Why Europe’s next generation of small electric cars could change the market completely

This week on the Everything EV Podcast, Matt and George explore some of the most exciting new developments in the electric car world — from compact urban EVs to the return of iconic performance badges.

The pair discuss the impressive new Hyundai Inster, Cupra’s upcoming electric hot hatch, and why the revival of the Volkswagen Polo GTI could signal a new era for small performance cars. They also dive into the growing influence of Chinese EV brands in Europe and what that means for legacy manufacturers.

As always, there’s plenty of debate around practicality, performance, affordability and whether some brands are finally starting to get EVs properly right.

Topics this week include:

• Hyundai Inster – Compact EV with big ambitions
• Cupra Raval – Spain’s answer to the electric hot hatch
• Volkswagen Polo GTI – Why the legendary badge still matters
• Chinese EV expansion – How brands from China are reshaping Europe’s EV market
• Affordable EVs – Why smaller, cheaper electric cars are becoming more important than ever

In this episode of the Everything EV Podcast, hosts Matt Allan and George East dive into the latest developments in the electric vehicle (EV) market, focusing on the emergence of electric BMW M cars, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, and the BYD Atto2.

Matt shares his experience with the Corsa Electric, highlighting its surprisingly competent performance despite its age and design. He discusses the car's range and practicality, while also noting its lack of excitement compared to other models.

George then shares his thoughts on the BYD Atto2, praising its build quality and efficiency, while also critiquing its infotainment system.

The conversation shifts to the upcoming electric BMW M3, which promises to deliver an impressive 1,000 horsepower with a quad-motor setup, and the hosts speculate on its driving dynamics and design.

Matt is back from the Brussels Motor Show, where he’s seen many of the most important electric cars set to shape the market over the next few years. In this episode of Everything EV, he and George break down the biggest EV reveals, debate the hits and misses of the show, and pick out their personal highlights.

From compact crossovers and stylish estates to rugged off-roaders and controversial design choices, Brussels delivered plenty to talk about — not all of it good.

Cars discussed this week include:

•

Kia EV2 – Kia sets its sights on the Renault 4 with a compact, affordable crossover

•

Zeekr 7GT – A technically impressive Chinese electric estate heading for the UK

•

Mazda CX-6e – Can Mazda’s new electric SUV improve on the 6e saloon?

•

Subaru E-Outback – A 375bhp, boxy, all-wheel-drive EV that stays true to Subaru’s roots

•

Mercedes GLB Electric – A divisive design that leaves Matt reaching for the eye bleach

•

Xpeng G7+ – A sharply styled electric saloon that could worry Tesla and BMW

In this special end-of-year episode, Matt and George look back at what’s been a genuinely strong year for new electric cars, with more variety than ever — from sub-£20k city cars to £200k grand tourers, plus a clear shift towards hot hatches, sensible family EVs, and more capable 4x4s.

They agree that 2025 marked a real turning point for the “affordable EV” story: the best new cars no longer feel cheap because they’re compromised — they’re simply well engineered, well packaged, and increasingly easy to live with.

Matt’s overall EV of the year is the Renault 5, praised as the complete package: stylish, practical enough, properly affordable, and crucially, a car that appeals both to nostalgic older buyers and younger drivers who just think it looks brilliant.

George’s top pick is the Skoda Elroq vRS, which he calls the perfect “grown-up fast EV” — quick, comfortable, composed, and usable without feeling like a try-hard performance car. It nails that Skoda vRS sweet spot: spice without aggression.

Matt also admits the updated Tesla Model Y deserves its place on the list, describing it as Tesla’s most complete car yet — better built, more refined, and finally feeling as solid as rivals. He still can’t stand the stripped-back interior, but says the drivetrain, charging ecosystem and real-world range are simply hard to argue with.

A big talking point is how much strong EV progress came from brands people don’t always associate with electric excellence. The Citroën ë-C3 gets major praise for being shockingly comfortable, simple to use, and outstanding value — especially once the EV grant pushes it under £20k.

They also celebrate Nissan’s return to relevance with the new Leaf, which blends usability and normality with much more modern range and efficiency — helping bring Nissan “back into the EV game”. The Micra also makes the cut, even if it’s “basically a Renault 5” underneath — because borrowing from the best is no bad thing, and it gives Nissan loyalists a strong, familiar route into EVs.

On the performance side, George rates the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce as one of the year’s best drives — flawed, not especially efficient, but properly engaging and proof that Stellantis can build genuinely fun EVs. Kia’s EV4 also earns its place as the “electric Golf-shaped” car many buyers actually want: spacious, sensible, easy, and quietly brilliant.

And for something totally different, Matt highlights the Munro M280, a niche but hugely impressive Scottish-built off-road EV designed to be a rugged work tool for forestry, utilities and remote industrial use — a reminder that electrification isn’t just about family SUVs and hot hatches.

Across the list, the theme is clear: EVs are becoming easier, cheaper and more varied, without sacrificing range or quality. Whether you want something fun, sensible, luxurious or purely functional, 2025 proved the EV market is finally broad enough to feel… normal.

In this special episode of Everything EV, Matt and George look ahead to the biggest and most important electric cars arriving in 2026 — and why the next 12 months could be a turning point for the industry.

From the revival of legendary city cars to the reinvention of a British icon, plus hot hatches, compact SUVs and rugged family wagons, the pair break down which new EVs really matter — and which ones could reshape the market.

They discuss whether Renault can recapture lightning in a bottle with the new Twingo, if Cupra’s Raval could be the electric hot hatch we’ve been waiting for, and why BMW’s next-generation i3 might be the most important EV of the decade. There’s also debate over Jaguar’s controversial Type 00, Alpine’s performance ambitions, Subaru’s electric Outback, and whether Kia can continue its remarkable EV winning streak.

Cars discussed include:

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Renault Twingo

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Cupra Raval

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BMW i3 (Neue Klasse)

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Kia EV2

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Jaguar Type 00

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Honda Super-N

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Peugeot e-208 GTI

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Smart #2

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Subaru e-Outback

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Alpine A39