
Ride the Lightning: Tesla and EV Podcast
Ride the Lightning: The Tesla Unofficial Podcast is the world's longest-running weekly Tesla show, made for Tesla fans and owners by Tesla community veteran Ryan McCaffrey. Each week we'll discuss and analyze everything happening with the Cybertruck, Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y, Roadster, and more!
Latest episodes

Jan 7, 2024 • 1h 15min
Episode 440: Analyzing Tesla’s Q4 Production and Delivery Numbers
Tesla posted its Q4 production and delivery numbers – and thus its overall 2023 figures – and I’ve got reactions and analysis to the data. Plus: New paint colors for the Model Y, our first piece of information on Autopilot Hardware 5, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Dec 31, 2023 • 1h 22min
Episode 439: My 10 Tesla Predictions for 2024
A new year means it’s time for my annual tradition of making a bunch of Tesla predictions for 2024 – and I’ll see how I did last year while I’m at it. Plus: a new report on Model Y’s upcoming Project Juniper refresh, an update on FSD Beta version 12, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Dec 24, 2023 • 1h 16min
Episode 438: New Cybertruck Details From Franz and Lars with Jay Leno
Tesla Design Chief Franz von Holzhausen and Engineering VP Lars Moravy spend an hour sharing insights and previously unknown features of the Cybertruck with Jay Leno. Plus: one of the last major dominoes falls in the quest to standardize Tesla’s NACS charge port, Cybershoes might be on the way soon, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Dec 17, 2023 • 1h 17min
Episode 437: Cybertruck Engineering Tidbits from Tesla Leadership
A group of Tesla executives discusses some new features and innovations of the Cybertruck in a video with Sandy Munro. Plus: there’s bad news about the future of the Model 3’s federal tax credit eligibility, Giga Mexico is officially ready to break ground, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Dec 10, 2023 • 1h 18min
Episode 436: Cybertruck Customer Configurations Begin…Sort Of
Cybertruck reservation holders have begun getting invitations to purchase their trucks…but there’s a bit of a catch. Plus: Tesla clarifies the federal tax credit expectation for 2024 Model 3’s, the Cybertruck might be able to swim a little bit after all, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Dec 3, 2023 • 2h 2min
Episode 435: Cybertruck Delivery Event Analysis: Price, Specs, and More!
Tesla held its long-awaited Cybertruck Delivery Event and I was lucky enough to be there! I’ll recap all of the new information we learned about Tesla’s stainless steel pickup truck, give you my impressions of the event, and so much more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl. Watch Marques "MKBHD" Brownlee's Cybertruck First Impressions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxOh12Uhg08 Watch Top Gear's Cybertruck First Impressions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uefydJUbRhc Watch Jason Cammisa's Cybertruck episode of ICONS by Hagerty here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6WDq0V5oBg

Nov 26, 2023 • 1h 18min
Episode 434: Learning About EV Tires With a Michelin Tire Engineer
Special guest Russell Shepherd, who is Michelin’s Technical Communications Director, joins me to talk about how EVs are changing the tire world, the evolution of tire technology brought on by the likes of Tesla and others in the EV space, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Nov 19, 2023 • 1h 18min
Episode 433: More Cybertruck Tidbits Trickle In
More Cybertruck nuggets of information roll in as the official launch nears, from the configuration of the pedals to the size of the Dual Motor version’s battery pack. Plus: the Cyberquad for Kids is back, the DeLorean’s designer gives his blessing to the Cybertruck, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl.

Nov 12, 2023 • 1h 28min
Episode 432: Matte Black Cybertruck and Tailgate Power Outlets Revealed!
It’s a Cybertruck-tastic week as not only did we learn how many power outlets and what type are on board, but Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen was spotted driving a matte black-wrapped one around. Plus: I had another close encounter with a very clean build, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752. Go to xcelerateauto.com/xcare to find the extended warranty policy that's right for you and your Tesla, and don’t forget to use the discount code “Lightning” for $100 off your purchase. P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/ (don't forget the coupon code RTL). Get the best Dashcam/Sentry Mode microSD-based USB drive for your Tesla at www.puretesla.com/rtl and download NetSuite’s popular KPI Checklist at www.netsuite.com/lightning.

Nov 5, 2023 • 1h 28min
Episode 431: New Paint Color, New Seats, and the Cybertruck’s New ‘Crab Walk’
Topics discussed include Tesla's new Stealth Gray paint color, seat-related news for the Model 3 Ludicrous, and the Cybertruck's 'crab walk'. Comparisons of Tesla's paint colors, Subaru's adoption of the North American charging standard, extended warranty coverage, the Cybertruck's impact on Tesla, aftermarket accessories, solar installation, and car care are also discussed.
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