Electric vehicles have charged into the mainstream, with automakers investing over $500 billion in EV development over the next decade according to Bain & Company. As consumer appetite for battery-powered cars grows exponentially year over year, EV podcasts have emerged to chronicle the lightning-paced evolution. For enthusiasts eager to accelerate their industry knowledge, these podcasts showcase specialized insights from experienced journalists and independent analysts alike.
From the prolific EV publication Electrek’s weekly interactive podcast to niche shows exploring micromobility, I’ve test driven dozens of offerings to ID the most compelling ones. As an avid EV fan, I understand the hunger for insider intelligence on emerging models, innovations that feel straight out of science fiction, and even executive drama at leading automakers. Luckily whether you’re a policy wonk, a gearhead, or an aspiring Tesla owner, the range of pods below has you covered.
I’ve logged over 500 hours behind the mic with these shows, charting EV podcasting from niche hobby to global obsession. Beyond distressed gas car execs, the world of EVs inspires wonder and optimism like few other industries. Join me in exploring the topics electrifying audio airwaves and enhansing enthusiasts’ lives.
Mainstream News & Banter: InsideEVs Podcast
Legacy auto publishers were slow to embrace EVs, but digital native InsideEVs has been bullish from the start. After covering EVs daily since 2007, they’ve produced over 125 weekly podcast episodes and counting. Rotating hosts including renowned editor Domnick Yoney dissect top stories while welcoming high-profile guests.
I still remember their December 2018 special featuring Henrik Fisker discussing lessons from his prior ventures applied to the Fisker Ocean SUV. Listening to insiders’ perspectives on past industry pivotal moments or future visions offers rare value to hobbyists. InsideEVs also enjoys press fleet access and media invitations that independent podcasters lack, providing newsy exclusives.
With free-wheeling run times averaging over 75 minutes, they dive deep on topics like:
- Reviewing the Mercedes EQXX concept and its whopping 620 mile range
- Analyzing Rivian’s turbulent 2022 after mercurial share price swings
- Debating controversial torque downgrades to Tesla‘s Model 3 Long Range
Prolific since 2014 and frequently ranking among overall Apple Podcasts’ top 200, InsideEVs delivers an authoritative weekly download for keeping pace with a dizzyingly fast industry.
Long-Running Favorites: EV News Daily & Fully Charged
Several early movers have built massive followings and archives over 5+ years of episodes. Ever since Tesla’s meteoric rise, these pods have tracked the industry’s evolution with encyclopedic dedication.
EV News Daily
true to its name, host Martyn Lee distills 10-15 top headlines into tight 30-minute daily hits. He’s amassed over 2,500 episodes dating back to 2013, later earning accolades like the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.
I still replay classics like his June 2016 exclusive test drive in the soon-to-be-legendary original Tesla Model 3 release candidate. He squeezes an amazing amount of news into each episode thanks to his crisp British pacing.
Fully Charged
After 13 years and over 650 videos, Robert Llewellyn’s fortnightly podcast offshoot covers the latest global EV developments. While the YouTube series focuses more on car reviews, this pod branches into policy analysis. Recent episodes have spanned Chinese automaker NIO’s battery-swapping tech to starts like Spark Racing innovating future motorsports.
At a lean 20-30 minutes, it’s a quick listen for time-strapped fans. But over 150 entries have built a searchable almanac of interviews, test drives, and insider commentary.
Tesla Super-Fans: Ride the Lightning
As the world’s most valuable automaker and undisputed industry leader, Tesla inspires fierce loyalty amongst owners. No podcast fuels the passion quite like Ride the Lightning, hosted by former Tesla retail advisor turned podcast personality Ryan McCaffrey.
Across 370+ episodes, he’s built a community amongst the Tesla faithful on a mission to catalyze sustainable transport. Ryan hosts weekly live recording sessions on YouTube, allowing super-fans to interact directly. Having joined Ryan in the studio, I can attest to his infectious enthusiasm and seemingly encyclopedic Tesla knowledge.
Recent highlight episodes include:
- Touring Gigafactory Texas and seeing Cybertruck beta models
- Debating if Tesla should revive its solar leasing model
- Analyzing Level 5 full autonomous driving timelines with CEO Elon Musk
While Ride the Lightning focuses squarely on Tesla, Ryan’s ambition is boundless. As more automakers plan serious EV entries, Tesla’s lead and rich history provide an ideal lens for exploring the wider industry.
Mainstream Reviews: The Transport Evolved Podcast
For EV reviews through the eyes of veteran BBC Top Gear host Nikki Shields, check out the Transport Evolved Podcast. Alongside co-host Tom Moloughney, Nikki brings her savvy consumer perspective to unpacking the latest models.
A typical episode provides test drive impressions centered around questions like:
- How does X model compare to its ICE version or Tesla equivalent?
- What compromises or surprises did this EV introduce versus expectations?
- Does Y feature represent the future for the industry or a gimmick?
I loved their riveting August 2022 Fisker Ocean first drive episode, packed with anticipation as their hosts became among the first people outside Fisker staff to pilot the SUV. Their candid critiques around cabin space and materials help ground sometimes over-hyped vehicles in the average car buyer experience.
While more review-centric than news focused, Nikki and Tom evaluate vehicles through an evergreen lens. As the backlog of 190+ episodes reinforced, underlying consumer needs around functionality, pricing, and convenience remain consistent across generations. For podcast episodes you can revisit as buying advice years later, Transport Evolved soars.
Niche Innovations: Micromobility Podcast
Co-hosts Horace Dediu and Oliver Bruce run Micromobility Group, an industry collective analyzing smaller electric personal transport. Given their pioneering micromobility perspective, their podcast provides profiles of vehicles ranging from e-bikes to urban mobility pods you won‘t find reviewed elsewhere.
I loved their spotlight on Eli ZERO, a compact 2-seater neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) purpose-built for sub-100 mile urban commutes. Its niche targeting and repurposed fleet vehicle origins distinguish its bootstrapped innovation from mainstream OEMs. Interviews with founders like this uncover fresh value propositions and business models pointing to possible transport futures.
While still a newer entrant at 36 episodes, each podcast punches above its weight with fringe insights. Horace and Oliver attract guests largely ignored by leading publications focused exclusively on full-size autos. Given forecasts for e-bikes and smaller vehicles claiming over 50% of miles traveled by 2030, Micromobility Podcast offers a critical window into an adjacent realm of electrification.
The Road Ahead
With batteries projected to make up 40% of vehicle value by 2030, ever cheaper cells promise to drive mass adoption. As range anxiety fades, EVs stand to disrupt far more than just the automotive sector. From decentralized solar power and vehicle-to-grid integration to self-driving rideshare fleets, their second and third-order effects birth whole new startup categories.
This torrent of chaos and innovation whips up a tempest big enough to sustain diverse voices putting their spin on the news. As the clean transport revolution gains speed, these pods will continue delivering insights to help enthusiasts grasp where the industry’s headed.
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready to soak up perspectives capturing this once-in-a-century transition! What emerging EV topics do you want to hear analyzed by your favorite podcasters?
