Everything EV

In this special end-of-year episode, Matt and George look back at what’s been a genuinely strong year for new electric cars, with more variety than ever — from sub-£20k city cars to £200k grand tourers, plus a clear shift towards hot hatches, sensible family EVs, and more capable 4x4s.They agree that 2025 marked a real turning point for the “affordable EV” story: the best new cars no longer feel cheap because they’re compromised — they’re simply well engineered, well packaged, and increasingly easy to live with.Matt’s overall EV of the year is the Renault 5, praised as the complete package: stylish, practical enough, properly affordable, and crucially, a car that appeals both to nostalgic older buyers and younger drivers who just think it looks brilliant.George’s top pick is the Skoda Elroq vRS, which he calls the perfect “grown-up fast EV” — quick, comfortable, composed, and usable without feeling like a try-hard performance car. It nails that Skoda vRS sweet spot: spice without aggression.Matt also admits the updated Tesla Model Y deserves its place on the list, describing it as Tesla’s most complete car yet — better built, more refined, and finally feeling as solid as rivals. He still can’t stand the stripped-back interior, but says the drivetrain, charging ecosystem and real-world range are simply hard to argue with.A big talking point is how much strong EV progress came from brands people don’t always associate with electric excellence. The Citroën ë-C3 gets major praise for being shockingly comfortable, simple to use, and outstanding value — especially once the EV grant pushes it under £20k.They also celebrate Nissan’s return to relevance with the new Leaf, which blends usability and normality with much more modern range and efficiency — helping bring Nissan “back into the EV game”. The Micra also makes the cut, even if it’s “basically a Renault 5” underneath — because borrowing from the best is no bad thing, and it gives Nissan loyalists a strong, familiar route into EVs.On the performance side, George rates the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce as one of the year’s best drives — flawed, not especially efficient, but properly engaging and proof that Stellantis can build genuinely fun EVs. Kia’s EV4 also earns its place as the “electric Golf-shaped” car many buyers actually want: spacious, sensible, easy, and quietly brilliant.And for something totally different, Matt highlights the Munro M280, a niche but hugely impressive Scottish-built off-road EV designed to be a rugged work tool for forestry, utilities and remote industrial use — a reminder that electrification isn’t just about family SUVs and hot hatches.Across the list, the theme is clear: EVs are becoming easier, cheaper and more varied, without sacrificing range or quality. Whether you want something fun, sensible, luxurious or purely functional, 2025 proved the EV market is finally broad enough to feel… normal.

In this special episode of Everything EV, Matt and George look ahead to the biggest and most important electric cars arriving in 2026 — and why the next 12 months could be a turning point for the industry.From the revival of legendary city cars to the reinvention of a British icon, plus hot hatches, compact SUVs and rugged family wagons, the pair break down which new EVs really matter — and which ones could reshape the market.They discuss whether Renault can recapture lightning in a bottle with the new Twingo, if Cupra’s Raval could be the electric hot hatch we’ve been waiting for, and why BMW’s next-generation i3 might be the most important EV of the decade. There’s also debate over Jaguar’s controversial Type 00, Alpine’s performance ambitions, Subaru’s electric Outback, and whether Kia can continue its remarkable EV winning streak.Cars discussed include:Renault TwingoCupra RavalBMW i3 (Neue Klasse)Kia EV2Jaguar Type 00Honda Super-NPeugeot e-208 GTISmart #2Subaru e-OutbackAlpine A39

Matt puts the MGS6 EV through its paces this week — MG’s bold new electric SUV and a direct challenger to the Skoda Enyaq. He and George also take a look at some seriously muscular new EVs, including the Porsche Cayenne Electric, the 641bhp Jeep Recon, and the UK-bound Denza Z from BYD’s ultra-premium brand.Balancing the madness, the pair explore the Nio Firefly, a far more sensible compact hatch that could be the next big rival to the Renault 5. There’s also news of another £1.3bn going into the Electric Car Grant — but is the money being spent in the right place?

In this week’s episode of the Everything EV Podcast, Matt is joined by Richard — standing in for George, who has swapped Skoda chat for a holiday (and, inevitably, a Skoda museum).The pair dive into the latest EV news, including a major blow for London EV drivers, the return of Mitsubishi, Peugeot’s wild new concept car, and possibly the rebirth of TVR.Matt and Richard also discuss the congestion charge shake-up, explore whether Mitsubishi’s comeback model will succeed, debate Peugeot’s radical Polygon concept, and look at what an electric TVR could become under new ownership. Plus, hear from Zap EV CEO David McIntyre on how the future of e-mobility may belong to scooters as much as cars.Topics this week:Congestion Charge U-turn — EV exemptions in London disappear next yearMitsubishi returns — New Eclipse Cross EV teased for 2025Peugeot Polygon concept — The car that previews the next electric 208TVR revival? — Fresh ownership & hints of electrificationZap EV interview — David McIntyre on the future of scooters and micromobilityGenesis GV70 Electrified — Richard’s first impressions after switching from an Audi e-tron

In this special episode, George East sits down with Mark Andrews, journalist and author of Driving the Dragon, for a deep dive into the astonishing rise of the Chinese EV industry.Having lived in China for nearly 20 years, Mark offers rare, on-the-ground insight into how brands such as BYD, Geely, NIO and XPeng went from small domestic start-ups to world-beating electric vehicle giants.He explains the unique conditions that fuelled China’s EV boom, how manufacturers keep prices so low, the looming threat to European legacy carmakers — and the risks facing China’s own domestic brands as global competition intensifies.A must-listen episode for anyone interested in the geopolitics, economics and technology shaping the future of electric mobility.