Quick Charge

9to5Mac

Quick Charge is a recap podcast bringing you the latest in Tesla news and the top green energy stories every Monday through Friday.

  1. 1D AGO

    Can EVs help solve the affordability crisis? Dave Thomas from CDK talks it out

    As the average transaction price of a new car creeps towards $55,000, a coming wave of low mile, off-lease EVs with massive depreciation could help car dealers solve the affordability crisis, combat sticker shock, and move more units. CDK's David Thomas talks us through it on today's surprisingly affordable episode of Quick Charge. A tidal wave of EVs leased in the early-2020s is about to come back to dealers, with over 300,000 electric lease returns expected in 2026 alone, and many hundreds of thousands more every year thereafter just as used values fall and fuel prices climb. For dealers and buyers alike, that volatility could turn what looks like a resale disaster on paper into one of the biggest affordability opportunities the car market has seen in years. Source Links US average new car price tops $50k for the first time – here’s why Used Tesla prices rise 4% while rest of EV market drops after tax credit ends Forget what you’ve heard – leasing your car is almost ALWAYS the right move Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  2. 6D AGO

    Interview: it’s all solar, all the time with Emily from EnergySage

    On today's solar-powered episode of Quick Charge, we've got EnergySage director of insights Emily Walker with a look inside the company's 22nd industry report, this time featuring home solar, EV charging, and whole home electrification. In addition to some key takeaways from millions of solar customer datapoints across North America, Emily talks us through the changing landscape of hardware availability, what trade restrictions on China could mean for the residential solar market, some of the ways people are choosing to finance their solar panel systems – and why the right choice can help save them big money! You can check out some of the article we referenced in the episode, below, and let us know if you knew that Franklin WH stood for "Whole Home" in the comments. Source Links Solar installs surged 205% before the tax credit cut – and reshaped the market EnergySage Plugged In podcast Home Electrification Marketplace Report [FEB2026] It's time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives Report: solar could increase your home value by $39,500 to $79,000 EV driver shares surprising, real-world data after installing solar panels Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  3. MAR 4

    Elon’s dirty deals, Tesla’s credit losses, and electric semi trucks save BIG money

    On today's disturbingly dirty episode of Quick Charge, Elon Musk is undoing nearly two decades of decarbonization by pumping out massive amounts of pollution to keep his xAI and Grok slop-machines rolling – and hurting some of America's most vulnerable communities at the same time. Tesla's troubles with pollution and carbon don't end there, either – two of company's biggest buyers of carbon credits are taking their business elsewhere, and the damage to Tesla's bottom line could be in the billions. Plus: it's a record month for Hyundai IONIQ 5 sales, electric semi trucks really do save fleets money, and some cool pictures of Volvo heavy equipment assets getting topped off at the Circle K! And, before you ask: NO! The irony is not lost on me ... but I didn't waste any water making the image, I just copy/pasted it in (he said, defensively). Source Links Tesla loses Toyota and Stellantis from its EU CO2 pool, taking billions with them Elon Musk’s xAI is undoing Tesla’s climate work all in the name of AI slop Hyundai bucks the trend as IONIQ 5 EV sales surge 33% in record-setting February Real-world test: electric semi trucks can save fleets nearly $160,000 per truck Where do you charge your wheel loader? Try the Circle K! Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  4. FEB 27

    Donut solid-state batteries tested, Tesla engineer quits, and solar value

    On today's extraordinary episode of Quick Charge, we reflect on the fact that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and both Donut Labs AND Tesla are a long long way from turning everyone into believers. While Donut Labs' allegedly groundbreaking solid state battery tech gets put to the test, Tesla engineer Victor Nechita, who served as Tesla’s vehicle program manager for the Cybercab, has announced he is leaving the company as part of the recent exodus of the brand's top staff. Plus, a new study of 5,000 home sales showed that rooftop solar really does pay for itself – almost as soon as you put it in! Source Links Donut Lab’s ‘miracle’ solid-state battery confirms 0-80% charge in 4.5 min — but there’s a catch Verge unveils 370-mile electric motorcycle with solid state battery; sounds too good to be true? This battery is about to change the world in 3 months, or make this guy a fool Tesla Cybercab program manager exits ahead of launch Tesla rolls first steering wheel-less Cybercab unit off the line before solving autonomy Tesla launches legal war over ‘Cybercab’ name against seltzer company Report: solar could increase your home value by $39,500 to $79,000 EIA: 62% more renewable energy capacity is coming in 2026 Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  5. FEB 25

    Floodgates open for Tesla lawsuits, Waymo expands, and US goes nuclear

    On today's high-dollar episode of Quick Charge, Tesla is reeling from a $243 million judgement against it in a high-profile wrongful death case involving the company's Autopilot system, and has a hard time getting the relevant data to NHTSA. We've also got news that Waymo its expanding its L4 autonomous and driverless taxi operations into four new US cities across Florida and Texas, bringing its total to 10 compared to Tesla's 0 total cities with driverless electric vehicles in operation. Plus: the US Air Force has deployed the world's first portable 5MW nuclear reactor – which seems like the kind of thing we should all know about, you know? Source Links Tesla has to pay historic $243 million judgement over Autopilot crash, judge says Tesla avoids 30-day California sales suspension after dropping misleading ‘Autopilot’ marketing Tesla sues California DMV to reverse ‘Full Self-Driving’ false advertising ruling Tesla is having a hard time turning over its FSD traffic violation data Waymo adds 4 more cities to its robotaxi service, now 10 total (Tesla: still 0) Tesla admits it still needs drivers and remote operators — then argues that’s better than Waymo Waymo founder trashes Tesla safety as Waymos illegally pass school buses World’s first: US Air Force deploys portable nuclear power station Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  6. FEB 21

    Amazon grows van fleet, solar-powered semis, and BetterFleet stops by

    On today's smarter episode of Quick Charge, we've got CEO Daniel Hilson here to give us an in-depth look at how BetterFleet can help fleets and utilities manage their charging schedules to keep both energy costs and downtime to a minimum. We also take a look at Amazon's Rivian electric van fleet and how their goal of reaching 100,000 vans by 2030 is coming along, as well as a new solar-powered semi trailer that's using Australia's sunshine to keep food fresh from farm to store to table. Source Links Amazon grew its Rivian electric delivery van fleet by 50% in 2025 California’s Helix water district gets state-of-the-art managed charging [Q&A] ACT Expo 2025 – one step forward, two steps back for clean trucking Check out BetterFleet GENIUS: adding solar panels to semi trailers is an idea so obvious it hurts Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We'll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  7. FEB 19

    Tesla’s European future in doubt, but they didn’t get banned in California!

    On today's labor-intensive episode of Quick Charge, Germany's largest union IG Metall is squaring off with Tesla in a major dispute involving a toxic work culture, criminal charges, defamation, and more – but at least they can still sell cars in California (for now). That's right, gang – Tesla has managed to avoid a sales ban in California by pivoting away from the use of the word "Autopilot" in its marketing (which explains that $99 FSD Supervised deal too, btw). Plus: Polestar is rolling out FOUR new production cars in then next THREE years and if you just can't wait for that, there's a whole lot of great deals on a new EV you can drive home today. That featured image up there, by the way, comes courtesy of IG Metall. Source Links Tesla calls police on IG Metall rep at Giga Berlin works council meeting before critical vote German union accuses Tesla ‘toxic’ environment, files defamation against plant manager Tesla avoids 30-day California sales suspension after dropping misleading ‘Autopilot’ marketing Polestar goes on the offensive with FOUR new models in THREE years Hyundai cuts EV prices in response to BYD and Tesla Toyota is already offering a $5,000 discount and 0% financing on its new EVs With a $10,000 discount, the Chevy Equinox EV is hard to pass up Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

  8. FEB 18

    Robotaxis wreck 4x more than humans, and at least one Tesla wants to swim

    On today's crash-tacular episode of Quick Charge it's been a rough, rough week for Tesla stans as new data out of Austin shows Robotaxis crashing at rates more than 4x higher than humans, new data out of China shows sales crashing more than 45%, and a new video seems to show a Tesla trying to crash into a lake. We've got some of Fred's in-depth analysis of what's going on over at Tesla as they start rolling Cybercabs or Cybervehicles or whatever they're calling it off an assembly line, too – and even something the house that Elon built is doing right! Source Links Tesla ‘Robotaxi’ adds 5 more crashes in Austin in a month — 4x worse than humans Tesla rolls first steering wheel-less Cybercab unit off the line before solving autonomy Chinese state media amplifies viral Tesla failure amid 45% sales crash Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ tried to drive owner into a lake, viral video shows Tesla announces Powerwall 3P with native three-phase inverter Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are (allegedly) recorded several times per week, most weeks. We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.  Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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About

Quick Charge is a recap podcast bringing you the latest in Tesla news and the top green energy stories every Monday through Friday.

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