The Driven Tesla rebounds, Hyundai's latest, and China keeps charging
Jun 6, 2025
Tim Eden, a contributor who recently tested the Hyundai Insta and Xpeng G6, and Riz Akhtar, founder of Carloop with insights from China's EV market, share fascinating observations. They discuss the explosive growth of EVs in China, highlighting battery swapping technology and a competitive landscape with major players like Xpeng and Tesla. Tim recounts his experience with the new compact Hyundai, while Riz offers a unique perspective on the infrastructure that supports this charging revolution. Their insights paint a vibrant picture of the evolving electric vehicle scene.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China As The EV Pace-Setter
- Riz Akhtar observed China feels like the future of electrification with EVs everywhere and quiet city intersections.
- Rapid model launches and fast deliveries make China a hotbed for new EV tech and infrastructure.
Battery Swapping For Heavy Vehicles
- Riz noted heavy truck electrification and battery swapping are scaling rapidly in China with targets for 50% electric heavy trucks by 2030.
- Swapping large packs is far faster and more practical than long charging times for heavy vehicles.
Week With The Xpeng G6
- Tim Eden drove the Xpeng G6 for a week and found it spacious, efficient and heavily Tesla-inspired inside and out.
- He noted software quirks that feel fixable and a long-range price notably cheaper than an equivalent Model Y.