Jason Marks, CEO of Telo Trucks, joins the show to unpack why the MT1 is essentially a Toyota Tacoma in a Mini Cooper footprint and why that matters for cities, fleets, and the future of EV pickups. We get into the real pain points of driving and parking trucks in dense urban cores, how Japanese Kei trucks inspired Telo’s size, and why half of their paid reservations are from commercial customers who are desperate for something smaller, safer, and smarter. Jason also explains how starting from a blank sheet of paper, plus years in automotive safety and his co‑founder’s battery chops, led to a physics-first approach: engineering a 5‑star crash structure in just 14 inches of front crush, then backing into the entire vehicle layout. He also reveals how feedback from his 5,000+ Discord community pushed Telo to an 800‑volt-capable split pack, aiming to take full advantage of high‑power DC fast chargers. Then, we close with his spiciest take on what’s fundamentally broken about today’s full-size EV pickups: the runaway weight spiral that’s killing efficiency, jacking up costs, and eroding America’s global competitiveness. Don’t sleep on this episode!

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Learn more about Telo Trucks

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Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

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We accidentally got our schedules crossed… and ended up with one of the spiciest short episodes of the season. Recorded live on the expo floor at AutoTech Detroit, this rapid-fire convo with Steve Bell, Chief Analyst Automotive Connectivity at Omdia is basically a masterclass crammed into a coffee break. In roughly 8 minutes, Steve explains why working in the auto industry in 2026 feels a lot like being there in 1908, how the hardware game is rapidly becoming a software game, and why EVs and first-principles engineering have completely blown up the old rulebook. He breaks down the ticking time bomb of software “veneers” on legacy vehicle architectures and what happens when cellular networks sunset while hundreds of millions of cars still depend on over-the-air (OTA) updates. Steve also lays out how this shift from hardware to software is set to reshape the industrial economy for the next 50 years. It’s punchy, it’s nerdy, and it’s a wake-up call. Perfect if you want big picture clarity on where automotive is headed and you only have a few minutes to listen!

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This episode is sponsored by AutoTech by Informa. AutoTech is the annual gathering point for more than 3,000 automotive industry leaders who come together for three days of immersive B2B networking, meaningful connections, and high-impact discussions. Guided by an Industry Advisory Board, the program features carefully curated sessions that tackle real-world challenges and spark breakthrough innovation. Dedicated to advancing the AutoTech ecosystem, the event also offers exclusive matchmaking services and dynamic exhibitions and showcases, giving attendees direct access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Learn more at autotechevents.com

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Connect with Steve Bell on LinkedIn

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The EV market isn’t collapsing, it’s recalibrating. In this episode, I’m live at AutoTech Detroit while Lindsay VanHulle, Deputy Editor at Automotive News, calls in remotely to break down why this so-called "EV retreat" is actually a strategic pivot. Lindsay digs into how the end of the $7,500 tax credit scrambled U.S. EV demand, why automakers are reshuffling their lineups instead of abandoning EVs, and how Ford and GM are using profitable trucks and SUVs to bankroll an electric future. You’ll also hear how hybrids and more affordable midsize EVs are becoming the real volume play, why Toyota’s “slow and steady” approach suddenly looks (good?), and what the next wave of EVs could bring with better batteries, lower costs, and cars actually built for how people drive in the real world. Hit play if you want the real story on where EVs go next, beyond the headlines and comment-section hot takes.

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Read Lindsay's full article in Automotive News: Why some automakers are launching new EVs in 2026 as others pull back

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Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

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Heated seat subscriptions (aka “toasty buns”), the Little Tikes EV charging station and a Cary Grant–level Bear photoshoot? Yes, this episode covers ALL the important topics in automotive. Recorded live at AutoTech Detroit, Edward Wilford, Senior Research Director at Omdia Automotive is my guest today to talk about the leap from software defined vehicles (SDV) to AI-defined vehicles (AIDV), and why some automakers are sprinting while others are still tying their shoes. You’ll hear who’s winning at SDV and AIDV and why Mercedes-Benz just snagged AI Automaker of the Year, a clear, human explanation of SDV vs AIDV, and the business logic behind subscriptions from seat heaters to features you didn’t know you’d pay for. Edward also explains how AI can manage range, charging, and comfort based on your real-life habits, why mapping companies may become the most powerful players you never see on the window sticker, and how automakers are split between “everything-in-the-car OS” and bring-your-own-smartphone minimalism. Press play if you’re wondering where the brains of your next car are headed, and who actually makes money on this shi---- shift. Don’t miss the video for this one, linked below!

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YouTube video for this episode: "Rapid Fire Questions with Edward"

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Automotive News Europe: Automakers face unbridgeable gap as AI-defined vehicles expose software readiness divide

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This episode is sponsored by AutoTech by Informa. AutoTech is the annual gathering point for more than 3,000 automotive industry leaders who come together for three days of immersive B2B networking, meaningful connections, and high-impact discussions. Guided by an Industry Advisory Board, the program features carefully curated sessions that tackle real-world challenges and spark breakthrough innovation. Dedicated to advancing the AutoTech ecosystem, the event also offers exclusive matchmaking services and dynamic exhibitions and showcases, giving attendees direct access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Learn more at autotechevents.com

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Connect with Edward on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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What’s worse: hitting a speed bump with a full cup of coffee… or signing up for a $1,000/month car payment? Both are bad, but that $1K car note stings a whole lot more. Good thing we’ve got Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian Automotive, back on the show today to help us make sense of it all. Maybe not the coffee part but definitely the finance part! In this episode, Melinda and I break down Experian's latest State of the Automotive Finance Market report for Q1 2026. We get into why nearly 1 in 5 new vehicle loans now come with a $1,000+ monthly payment, and why 74% of those big payments aren’t for luxury badges but for CUVs, SUVs, and especially pickup trucks. We talk about how over a third of new loans now stretch past six years and what that does to your equity when you go back to the dealership, plus how average loan amounts have climbed more than $2,150 year over year and how destination fees and bigger vehicles have pushed payments higher. Then we run an EV vs. hybrid reality check and dig into why EV financing dropped from nearly 11% to just over 6% of new vehicle financing, how tax credits fueled the EV surge and what happened when that boost faded, why hybrids are on fire while BEVs decelerate, and why non-luxury EVs can still deliver some of the lowest monthly payments on the market.

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🔗 Want the full story in data form? We pulled the highlights, but you’ll want the details:

Experian Automotive's exclusive quarterly report on the latest trends and analysis of the U.S. automotive finance market, presented by Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian.

This quarter’s report highlights several key trends shaping the automotive finance landscape:

• Used financing share increased while overall volumes declined.
• Growth shifted toward non-prime segments.
• Banks and finance companies continued gaining share.
• Loan amounts, payments, and terms increased.
• Leasing declined year-over-year.
• Refinance activity grew, with average monthly savings.
• Delinquencies remained elevated.

Download here

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Check out Experian's EV Resource Page for all things electric vehicle data

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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here

https://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone

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Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn

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Let's talk on X:

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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What do a Jenga tower, seamless tolling, and a sub 5-second 0–60 Volvo have in common? Apparently…a lot. In this episode, I sat down with Jim Nichols, VP, Head of Product Technology and Consumer Offer at Volvo Cars, live from AutoTech for a fast-paced convo that stacks real world insights you won’t hear anywhere else. You’ll hear, “Jenga with Jim:” a rapid-fire warmup game where we find out his first car, his favorite Volvo, and the best career advice he’s ever gotten, why the new Volvo EX60 is “a fantastic vehicle that happens to be an EV” and how it’s lining up against the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y. We also talked about how Volvo is using software to shave charging time from ~18 minutes down to 16 minutes (10–80% SOC) without changing the hardware, the story behind the discontinuation of the EX30 in the U.S. and a sneak peek at Tollsy; the tolling solution that ditches windshield transmitters, taps into the car’s telematics, and somehow makes tolling agencies, automakers, and drivers all happy at the same time. Hit play and find out why the EX60 might be Volvo’s most impressive flex yet!

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Watch the "Jenga with Jim" segment on YouTube

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Connect with Jim on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

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Subscribe on YouTube:

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China is quickly becoming the auto industry’s final boss, and Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, is here to explain why everyone else in the world is still trying to play catch up. In this episode, we break down: The Trump-Xi Summit which had a huge red carpet but tiny outcomes for autos, BYD’s global glow‑up: from “cheap and cheerful” to Daniel Craig, a black lab puppy, and God’s Eye ADAS. Even James Bond now drives a BYD. And then we visit the whimsical (and totally fictional) "Joint Venture Land" with Stellantis and Dongfeng. Michael calls it a one-way ticket into oblivion, "sleeping in the same bed, dreaming different dreams." And finally, your brain might explode when you hear this one but: no, you’re not getting a $10K BYD in the U.S. because China wants European style profits, not bargain bin margins. If you think this is just about cheap Chinese EVs, think again. This is a geopolitical street fight and Joint Venture Land might be the scariest theme park of 2026. Don't miss this episode!

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Join me LIVE at AutoTech Detroit on June 3rd and 4th for even more great conversations with the best minds in automotive.

Oh, and did I mention I'm bringing EV4E merch?!

Go here to register and use code "EVS20" for 20% off your registration at checkout:

https://autotechevents.com/home/passes-prices/

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"Everything Is Changing" Denza commercial featuring Daniel Craig

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Connect with Michael Dunne on X | LinkedIn | Substack

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Connect with Elena:

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Is this an EV story, a China story, or an “America forgot how to build affordable cars” story? My guest today, Patrick George, Detroit Bureau Chief at The Wall Street Journal says it’s all of the above. On this episode, Patrick unpacks the latest twists and turns in the EV arms race, the China factor, and why US automakers are stuck selling $70k trucks while BYD is out here dropping tech-packed EVs for the price of a used Corolla. From El Paso, Texas as America’s unofficial Chinese EV showroom to Volkswagen handing its EV homework to Chinese partners, Patrick pulls back the curtain on what's actually happening and why. You’ll hear how Chinese automakers have mastered EVs using the West’s own playbook and then leveled it up, why US policy “whiplash” has automakers whipsawed between EV mandates and gas-powered reality, what everyday buyers really want (hint: not a $50k “rough draft” EV) and why $20k Chinese EVs are the elephant at the border. If you work in auto and think you “kind of” understand what’s happening…you probably don’t. This episode is your wake-up call.

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Read the full WSJ article by Ryan Felton here, "The U.S. Wants to Ban China’s High-Tech Cars, but They’re Already Here in El Paso"

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/chinese-cars-byd-geely-u-s-mexico-be0dea28?st=S1KY5S&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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Connect with Patrick George on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

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Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

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