By Phil Royle – Aug. 6, 2026
Are freedom cars coming? If Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has his way, they will. The proposal gives Americans the “right to drive disconnected and non-automated” cars. Sounds good, although it only took us a couple of minutes to come up with a better proposal. Also on this week’s podcast, Zoox gets approval for expanded operations in Las Vegas, Waymo hits more legal issues in Santa Monica, Mazda says the next Miata will be ICE and EV, Telo ups the towing ante, and more!
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SHOW NOTES
Transportation secretary Sean Duffy proposes “Freedom Cars” initiative: https://www.newsweek.com/sean-duffy-proposes-freedom-cars-for-americanswhat-it-means-12239971
Amazon owned Zoox receives approval to start charging for autonomous rides in Vegas: https://www.reuters.com/world/amazons-zoox-wins-first-us-approval-paid-robotaxis-with-no-human-controls-2026-07-30/
Waymo and Santa Monica residents clash over autonomous car charging lots being too loud: https://youtu.be/X9rcfRBG3Go?is=eogKfLemTTdqcywT
Mazda CEO says next Miata is being designed to support an EV version: https://insideevs.com/news/803155/mazda-miata-ready-for-electric/
Ed’s Miata EV wishlist: https://www.thewattcar.com/2023/02/my-wish-list-for-a-mazda-miata-ev.html
Telo raises the towing capacity on the MT1 to 8,000 pounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLU4RdnI_Xk, https://insideevs.com/news/803579/telo-tiny-ev-pickup-tow-capacity-update/
BYD Racco a surprise hit in Japan: https://electrek.co/2026/07/30/byds-electric-kei-car-received-over-5000-orders-first-week/
This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez
Episode art courtesy Zoox
Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay
Website: https://www.thewattcar.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar