Everything Electric Podcast

Episode: Cheap EVs, Rural Chargers & -20°C: What Could Go Wrong?!

Host: The Fully Charged Show (Jack Scarlett, Robert Llewellyn, Imogen Bogle)
Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively and insightful catch-up episode sees regular Fully Charged presenters Jack Scarlett, Robert Llewellyn, and Imogen Bogle debrief after a recent three-person EV road trip across rural Wales. The team dives into the current state of affordable electric vehicles, the challenge of charging infrastructure outside urban centers, innovations in clean energy storage, and the evolving mainstream appeal of EVs—sprinkled with anecdotes, friendly banter, and reflections on how far the industry has come. Major topics include small/cheap EVs, the reality of rural charging, winter range challenges, the design legacy of classic cars, and future plans for the show and for the presenters themselves.

Key Discussion Points

Presenters' Recent Adventures and Industry Updates

• Imogen’s Paris Interview ([02:31]):

  • Imogen returns from Paris after interviewing Fabrice Cambolive, CEO of the Renault brand.
    • “He was just beautifully, wonderfully articulate…we really spoke about what's required in order to make small EVs actually possible in Europe.” — Imogen ([04:01])
  • Renault’s strategy: freezing regulations to make small EVs affordable and profitable, and thoughts on which classic Renault to electrify next (hint: possibly not the Spider).

• Robert’s Return from Australia ([08:37]):

  • Robert’s focus: gravity-based electricity storage (Green Gravity) and visiting a huge solar farm paired with battery storage.
  • “That combination of solar and batteries is becoming the supremely, you know, the supremely dominant electricity generating technology around the world on a scale that's hard to imagine.” — Robert ([09:06])
  • Abu Dhabi now delivers a constant 1 GW of solar+battery power, rivaling nuclear or gas.

Feature Segment: The Affordable EV Road Trip

• The Wales Adventure ([11:16]):

  • Motivation: To test and celebrate the new wave of small, affordable EVs before the arrival of the much-hyped Renault Twingo EV.
  • Vehicles: BYD Dolphin Surf (Jack), Citroen ëC3 (Imogen), Leapmotor T03 (Robert).
  • Route: The A470 through the heart of Wales—a region notorious for sparse charging infrastructure.
  • “One thing we learned quite quickly—Wales. Rural Wales. Charging infrastructure, I would say is somewhere in…the 1970s.” — Jack ([12:16])
  • Fun, camaraderie, and logistical headaches: Downloading confusing apps, setting offensive passwords, and the challenges of rural charging in heavy rain prompted a lot of creative swearing from Robert ([13:41]).
  • Real takeaway:
    • “I'm not certain that we proved that you can in fact do massive road trips in the cheapest, smallest range EVs on sale. It's actually quite challenging, if the truth be told.” — Jack ([14:19])
    • However, the sheer choice of £20k-class EVs is cause for optimism.

• Past vs. Present Progress ([15:55]):

  • Robert’s early EV road trip in a first-gen Nissan Leaf (70-mile range, charging at B&Bs): took 3 days for a journey they can now accomplish in a day.
  • Modern budget EVs like the Leapmotor T03 can now do 120 miles per charge, even in poor weather.

• Sense of Place and Scenery ([15:06]):

  • Imogen: “It was sensationally beautiful…there are just some fantastic landscapes here in the UK. It was breathtaking.”
  • Plus, the joy of discovering “strange, obscure locations” rarely visited otherwise.

Industry Trends: Small Cars, Big Impact, and Cold Weather EV Testing

• Kia EV2 Experience ([17:42], [19:38]):
  • Jack had an exclusive first drive of the Kia EV2, including Norway’s extreme winter range test (down to -20°C).
  • “It's got all the good things about a big car, but it's a really small car…You feel high and mighty and imperious and it's hugely spacious inside…It does all that for you, but it's teeny weeny.” — Jack ([19:38])
  • Imogen: “It's a big car for a small person. It's a small, big car. A big car.” ([20:23])
  • Note: Extreme cold (-20°C to -30°C) seriously taxes batteries and the human body alike ([20:49]).

The Future is Here: EVs as “Just Cars”

• The Shift to Mainstream ([30:33]):

  • Discussion of a Volvo TV commercial thanking early EV adopters and presenting the new EX60, a car with a thousand-mile range.
    • “We no longer call it an electric car now. This is just a car.” — Robert ([30:33])
  • Reflections on how, after years of niche status, EVs are finally poised to simply be “cars” for more people.
    • “My friend’s buying a Renault 5…not because it's electric…It's just the thing that makes the most sense for him financially, in terms of his requirements.” — Jack ([32:04])

• Renault 5 Electrification Philosophy ([32:46]):

  • Fabrice Cambolive on the R5: “Obviously the car should never have a petrol engine. It should not be a hybrid…It is fun because it's an electric car.” — relay by Imogen

• Industry Resistance and Structural Challenges ([33:39]):

  • Robert notes persistent resistance from well-funded lobbies and negative press, especially as policy deadlines approach. ([33:39])

Personal Updates & Reflections

• Jack’s Upcoming Sabbatical ([23:23]):
  • Jack is preparing for a 3–4 month trip around Japan, with the channel pre-stocking content before his departure. He expresses FOMO over missing major EV launches but excitement for his travels.
• Imogen’s and Robert’s Roles:
  • Imogen will handle more car reviews in Jack’s absence, including press trips to Ibiza and Barcelona.

Anniversary Reflections & Life Lessons

• Jack’s Birthday Moment ([35:09]):
  • “I just think I'm getting better at being happy with each passing year…if you're listening to this and you're 25 and you're riddled with anxiety, don't worry, I was too. And it's, it's 32 is the new 21, I've decided.” — Jack ([36:36])
• Wisdom from Robert:
  • “It is still possible at my age to say the most inappropriate things that you then regret for the rest of your years that you've got remaining. You know, I still managed to screw up plenty of times…” ([37:02])
• Podcast closes with birthday wishes and a friendly, comedic sign-off.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• “We really spoke about what's required in order to make small EVs actually possible in Europe…freezing some of the regulations is so necessary in order to drive out cost and make them affordable and profitable.” — Imogen ([04:01])
• “I remember more swearing from you, Robert Llewellyn, in the space of five minutes in that Welsh car park than in the five years that I've known you.” — Jack ([13:42])
• “...I'm not certain that we proved that you can in fact do massive road trips in the cheapest, smallest range EVs on sale…But certainly it highlighted what a wonderful variety there now is at that £20,000 price point, which was unthinkable two years ago.” — Jack ([14:19])
• “That car didn't [need to be charged]. And I thought, that is amazing that this tiny little car can do those sort of distances in the rain, on motorway, at motorway speeds.” — Robert ([16:47])
• “I've never forgotten for one moment my first drive of the Polestar 5...that's made an impression.” — Robert ([27:55])
• “We no longer call it an electric car now. This is just a car.” — Robert, on the Volvo EX60 advert ([30:33])
• “My friend…not interested in electric, he's not interested in cars…he's buying it because it's just the right choice for him.” — Jack ([32:04])
• “If you're listening to this and you're 25 and you're riddled with anxiety, don't worry, I was too. And it's, it's 32 is the new 21, I've decided.” — Jack ([36:36])

Highlighted Segments & Timestamps

• [02:31] Imogen on Paris interview and Renault’s small EV strategy
• [08:37] Robert on gravity-based power storage and solar farms
• [11:16] Road trip in rural Wales: Small EVs, sparse charging
• [13:41] Hilarious car park password and swearing moment
• [15:55] Robert’s story: Early EV travel vs now
• [17:42] The Kia EV2 and Norway’s -20°C range test
• [30:33] Discussion of the “just cars” moment and Volvo’s advert
• [35:09] Jack’s birthday reflection on happiness with age

Tone & Atmosphere

• Humorous, friendly, conversational, with plenty of light-hearted reminiscence and witty asides.
• Honest about the difficulties and frustrations of EV ownership, balanced with infectious optimism about accelerating progress.
• Laced with memorable anecdotes and personal reflections.

Conclusion

An engaging catch-up that encapsulates the current state of the EV world: relentless innovation, persistent infrastructure challenges, the growing accessibility of affordable models, and the steady normalisation of electrification. Through real-world road trips, interviews with industry leaders, and playful on-air chemistry, Jack, Robert, and Imogen remind listeners that the electric future is not only arriving—but is already woven into everyday life.

Listeners are left with a sense of excitement for what's next, both in electric mobility and for the Fully Charged team’s adventures.