The Kilowatt Half Hour

James Batchelor has seized the host’s chair this week on the Kilowatt Half Hour, proving that in the glamorous world of podcasting, promotion can happen very quickly indeed. Joined by Tom and Lucas, the team dive into another packed week in the world of EVs, including the rebirth of a legendary hot hatch badge, fresh details on Jaguar’s long-awaited electric future, and encouraging signs from the booming used EV market.

Tom brings news of the electric Volkswagen ID.Polo GTI and asks whether it could become the EV hot hatch to beat, while Lucas talks us through the latest on Jaguar’s upcoming Type 01 and why the brand is leaning heavily into heritage with its naming strategy.

There’s also discussion around:
Why used EV sales are surging in 2026
The growing appeal of second-hand electric cars
The complicated world of funding solar panels and home chargers
Whether ultra-long-range batteries really matter
EVs for caravan towing
And the increasingly competitive electric hot hatch market, featuring the Corsa GSE, Cupra Raval, Alpine A290 and more

Barnard’s Bargains returns with more tempting lease and used EV deals, while the listener questions cover long-term EV ownership, keeping a Kia Niro EV beyond finance, and whether today’s technology is already “good enough” for most drivers.
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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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