Watts Under the Bonnet - The Electric Vehicle Podcast LiSTNR

Winter might have brought a chill, but the news is white hot according to Rusty. Bringing the heat this month is solar-energy export tarrifs, the notorious ‘EV Graveyard’ photo trending on socials, and the prospect of a driverless future that has Nads raising an eyebrow. Plus, friend of the podcast Sarah Aubrey is back but this time as our ‘Meet An EV-er’. In just six months, Sarah’s witty and honest EV reviews, tackling crucial questions like “But where does the wine fit?,” have captivated an audience of over 64,000 and counting, telling Rusty and Nadine about what she now seeks in an EV after testing both luxury and budget models. As always, Senior Editor Feann Torr is back to provide us with the latest updates from the EV market, including the arrival of the facelifted Tesla Model 3 Performance, the Audi SQ8 e-tron, and the Xpeng G6, which is set to hit our shores sooner than expected.

Read, watch & listen to this months EV reviews & News at the links below:


Nissan hones its autonomous driving tech
2025 Ferrari EV to be “a true Ferrari”
Tesla Model 3 Performance
Audi SQ8 e-tron
Xpeng G6
MINI electric three-door hatchback
Mercedes-Benz G 580e
Hyundai INSTER
Hyundai Pick-Up

 
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With new hydrogen FCEV’s coming to market soon, the question of whether hydrogen vehicles will revolutionise electric mobility is top of mind for many EV drivers who have already chosen the battery electric route. Rusty and Nadine explore both sides of the coin, discovering that there isn't a simple answer. To test the Hydrogen vs. Battery argument, they speak with David Dorall, CEO of electric aviation company Dovetail, which is pushing both technologies to new heights. Dorall discusses his company’s technology, the current capabilities of batteries in an aviation setting, and how hydrogen fuel cells may come into play. Adjunct Professor Gail Broadbent from UTS then delves deeper into hydrogen fuel cells and the economics of hydrogen production. While it seems hydrogen is best suited to heavy vehicles and mass transport in the short term, Rusty and Nadine remain curious. They take a virtual drive in the Toyota Mirai to experience firsthand how a FCEV looks, feels, and drives.

 

To watch the carsales review on the Toyota Mirai, head to the carsales youtube channel here. 

To read more about the Mirai’s 1360km run, click here.
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Tesla can’t seem to escape the headlines, with supercharger woes taking the spotlight this month. But it’s not all bad news for the charging sector, according to Rusty and Nads, with Ford releasing a package that could entice those still on the fence. They discuss that and more in the news with producer Kelsey. Plus, Senior Editor Feann Torr is back to give us the latest on the EV market, including the Volvo EX30 which is selling like 'proverbial hotcakes' down under, the sleek and sporty BMW iX2, and the Porsche Macan EV. Later, we meet Alex Davis, Co-Founder ofLeaseLab, and this episode's Meet an EV-er! He gives us the low-down on why he chose to go electric and the inside scoop on novated leasing.

Read more about the latest EV releases below:

Volvo EX30

BMW iX2

Mitsubishi eK X EV

Porsche Macan EV

BYD SEALION 6

KIA EV5

Peugeot e-2008 EV
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If the batteries of tomorrow aren’t as lithium-dependent as they are today, can Australia still become the ‘critical minerals superpower’ it hopes to be as countries across the global electrification race take off? That’s the question Rusty and Nadine are on a mission to answer. To help them on their quest, they enlist the help of Dr. Veronika Wright, or as she’s better known - Electrified Veronika. With a flair for electrical engineering and physics, Veronika dissects lithium-ion mechanics while challenging the viability of solid-state batteries, hailed as the next frontier in energy storage. Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and for the past 5 years the Lead Author for Transport in the IPCC (the UN’s climate change body), joins later in the show to discuss the national and global implications for a lithium-ion economy. He sheds light on Australia's mining industry manoeuvres, propelling the nation beyond its 'exporter' label and toward 'innovator' status. With value-added strategies upstream in the lithium supply chain, Newman envisions local economic revitalisation and Australia's ascent as the beacon of green exporters in critical minerals.

 
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If sliding Tesla sales weren’t putting a bee under the bonnet of Tesla boss Elon Musk this month, then media organisation Reuters certainly did, publishing an article on the alleged axing of the Tesla 2 that Musk has since called a lie; and Nadine and Rusty don’t know what to think! Also in the news, why Tesla and Polestar dropped out of VFACTS reporting, and if EVs really deserve the notorious title of being 'characterless'.

 

Our usual 'Meet an EV-er' segment has been switched up to introduce you to an E-innovator - Sriram Pakkam, manager for Formula One and EV demonstrator vehicles at Ford Performance. He tells us how the e-Transit sibling – the superVan 4.2 - made its way into the demonstrator lineup, and gives some interesting insight into the relationship between motorsports, aerodynamics, and the performance of EVs. As always, Senior Editor Feann Torr is back to give us the latest EV releases hitting showrooms soon, including the Renault Megane E-Tech, the fancy-pants Maserati Grecale Folgore, and the BYD Seal U.

 

Read more about the latest EV releases here:

Renault Megane E-Tech

Maserati Grecale Folgore

BYD Seal U. 

Alfa Romeo Milano

KIA EV3

Ford Mustang Mach-E

 

 
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The trucking and logistics sector is perhaps the biggest piece of the decarbonisation puzzle, but can battery-electric deliver? Moves are being made by industry and government to make it happen but the answer is more complex than a yes or no. For Road Freight Engineer Rod Hannifey with 6 million kilometres under his belt, he tells Rusty and Nads exactly why that is… and he doesn’t hold back.

One company tackling the trucking problem head-on is Volvo. Matthew Wood joins us to talk about where electric fits in their strategy, and where it doesn’t with surprising insight including why battery swapping has been ruled out, innovations in battery recycling, and why their diversified approach to investing in a green future includes alternate sources of green energy ICE too.
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