If you’re going to cheat, don’t make it obvious. For example, the Rivian R2 EPA efficiency numbers may not be the entire story, so we talk about it on this week’s podcast. We also talk about Mitsubishi’s latest EV, which is simply a Nissan Leaf undercover. In both cases, the manufacturers are doing what they need to do to survive. So is it cheating? And does it matter? Also, BYD enters the kei car world, Mercedes may get banned from the US, and more.
Catch the video version of the podcast on YouTube. Subscribe to the audio version on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, or wherever top-quality podcasts are served.
SHOW NOTES
Rivian R2 disappoints in real-world efficiency testing vs Model Y: https://insideevs.com/news/802795/rivian-r2-model-y-efficiency/
Mitsubishi introduces Eclipse Sportback EV (hint: It’s a rebadged Leaf): https://electrek.co/2026/07/28/mitsubishi-eclipse-sportback-ev-rebadged-nissan-leaf/
BYD looks to conquer Japan’s kei car market with the Racco: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinas-byd-launched-ev-mini-car-japan-2026-07-28/
Protectionist bill in Senate could jeopardize Mercedes-Benz in the U.S.: https://insideevs.com/news/802474/senate-bill-chinese-car-crackdown/
OG Tesla founders Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard back Telo: https://runtimewire.com/article/telo-mt1-500-truck-launch-tesla-founders
This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Rivian
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar