The Kilowatt Half Hour

This week on the Kilowatt Half Hour podcast, the team finally recover from the chaos of the Beijing Motor Show… only to dive straight into another packed week of EV news, launches and listener questions.

We've been driving the new Vauxhall Corsa GSE — a properly quick electric hot hatch with 281hp, checked seats, three-spoke alloys and a 0–62mph time that’s somehow almost identical to a Lotus Carlton. Plus, it’s cheaper than the old Corsa Electric used to be. Naturally, opinions are shared.

Vicky’s been living with the Skoda Elroq, preparing for the international launch of the Cupra Raval and getting familiar with the Geely EX2, while Batch breaks down the latest UK car sales figures and what they tell us about the state of the EV market right now.

There’s also plenty to discuss from CATL, including claims of a 930-mile semi-solid-state battery, ultra-fast 10C charging capable of adding charge in minutes, and sodium-ion batteries designed to work in extreme cold.

As always, there are bargains too — including a surprisingly tempting used Corsa Electric for under £10k — plus your questions and comments. This week the team tackles whether heat pumps really matter on EVs like the upcoming Cupra Raval and Volkswagen Polo EV, helps one listener choose between a Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV3 for a brutal motorway commute, and suggests affordable used EVs that won’t completely destroy insurance premiums for teenage drivers.

There’s also a brilliant efficiency flex from an Ioniq 6 owner averaging 3.8 miles per kWh over nearly 14,000 miles, plus your thoughts on future battery tech, lightweight EVs and the new generation of electric hot hatches.

Oh, and Tom apparently now sounds like Morgan Freeman.

All that and more on this week’s Kilowatt Half Hour.
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Ginny and Steve are back from China with a proper debrief after the Beijing Auto Show – less jet lag, more perspective. They chat about the sheer scale of the show, the standout cars, and what it’s really like on a first visit.

There’s plenty of EV news to get into, including the VW ID. Polo reveal, Renault 5 updates (and even a Lego version), plus a Freelander comeback. Barnard’s Bargain returns, and the team tackles your questions—from the best family EVs to buy, to road-tripping across Europe, financing options, and whether to go used or take a punt on new Chinese brands.

As always, there are your comments, some strong opinions on self-driving tech, and a warm welcome to this week’s “electric virgins” making the switch.

Message us at [email protected].
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Join Ginny, Vicky and guest Steve Fowler as they discuss the highs and lows of the Beijing Motor Show where a host of new EVs made their first public appearance. Which were the team's favourites and which missed the mark.

Message us at [email protected] and watch a video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/yKW1bi-Mpwo
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Kilowatt Half Hour – Episode 102: Mad Juke, 574-Mile Merc & Kia’s Shock EV Kill

It’s been another packed week in the fast-moving world of electric cars, and the Electrifying.com team are back to make sense of it all. Nicola, Mike and new presenter Sam Burnett settle in to chat through the latest EV headlines, what they’ve been driving, and answer your questions.

This week, there’s plenty to get stuck into – from the newly revealed Nissan Juke and the (sort-of) approval of Tesla’s self-driving tech in the Netherlands, to Kia making the surprising decision to axe one of its most successful electric models. Plus, there’s excitement around a Mercedes capable of a jaw-dropping 574 miles on a charge.

The team also share their latest drives, including the VW ID models, a long-term farewell to the Volvo EX30, and a cross-channel EV trip in a Hyundai Kona Electric.

As always, listeners are at the heart of the show. There’s advice for a soon-to-be Polestar 2 owner choosing the right home charging tariff, guidance on picking a used EV for mixed driving needs, and some fascinating real-world efficiency data from the community.

Add in your comments on pothole-proof cars, infotainment frustrations, and app reliability – plus a few laughs along the way – and you’ve got another lively half hour of EV chat.

Plug in, turn up, and enjoy the ride.
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We’re back after Easter (and far too much chocolate), and yes… we’re starting exactly where we left off. Nicola’s now-infamous rant about the Polestar 4 infotainment system returns for part two – complete with your brilliant reactions and a slightly more… calming reset guide. Public service, Electrifying style.

Elsewhere, it’s been a busy week behind the wheel. There’s a twin test fresh from the barn, Vicky’s been driving the Tiggo, and we’ve even squeezed in a first go in the new Jaguar GT.

In the news, EV sales are booming, and Octopus Energy is shaking things up by slashing on-street charging costs – in some cases making it cheaper than charging at home. Is this a turning point for EV drivers without driveways?

We also dive into your comments and questions, including first-time EV buyers, real-world efficiency wins, and one listener’s frustrating experience with the Citroën e-C4. Plus, we tackle everything from Renault feature updates to which EVs actually cope with Britain’s worst roads.

And finally… are modern car interiors getting a bit dull? You’ve got thoughts – and we’re here for them.

If you’re still with us, thanks for listening! Don’t forget to follow, review, and check us out on YouTube at Electrifying.com. Or write to us at [email protected].

See you next week ⚡
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