Kilowatt Half Hour Ep 88: EV4 outrage, the Micra backlash and Volvo doubles up

#electriccars 2025 #podcasts #kilwowatthalfhour

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Every week, the Electrifying.com meet online to go over all the important matters at hand. Such as the weather, what we're all having for our tea and who dumped who in last night's Love Island. Between these heavyweight topics, we also discuss electrical automobiles. A lot. Probably an unhealthy total up to be honest.

And when we do go over vehicles, we find out a lot. From market gossip to the more mundane usefulness of electric vehicle ownership, it's the location where we dish the dirt on the automobiles we have actually been driving and deliver our own decisions on the latest electrical car news. We also like to have a great laugh at the daftest little bits of anti-electric news that we have actually seen in journalism.

We can't guarantee that you'll learn much. You probably will not. But if you elegant 30 minutes of idle chat and gossip about the world of electric cars, we're here for you. If you like it/ hate it/ believe it's too long or too brief, let us know.

Chapters are below so you can jump directly to the subject you're most thinking about!

0:00– Invite to the Kilowatt Half Hour podcast.
0:18– Why Nicola and Ginny are "in difficulty" today.
1:07– Mike's week: MG IM5, IM6 and the Microlino bubble cars and truck.
2:40– Driving the Renault Twizy again– still fun but scary.
4:39– Nicola evaluates the Kia EV4 hatchback vs fastback design.
6:31– EV4 usefulness, range and why the fastback divides opinion.
9:43– Porsche news: scaling back EV plans & Taycan Cross Turismo review.
12:05– ₤ 26k of Porsche choices– what deserves spending for?
14:09– Volvo EX90 gets 800v upgrade & huge software application upgrade.
17:10– Why cars and truck tech now sounds like a mobile phone launch.
19:50– EVs win huge at Tow Automobile of the Year Awards.
21:04– Jeep Avenger offers: grants & 0% financing.
22:21– Barnard's Deal: Hyundai Ioniq "Wind Knife" from ₤ 11k.
23:14– Why utilized EVs are finally affordable for under ₤ 10k.
25:05– Leasing offers: Renault 5 vs Renault 4– which is better worth?
26:57– Listener stories: welcome Jude & Neil to the world of EVs.
30:03– Buying issue: BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3.
32:39– The terrific Renault 5 vs Nissan Micra dispute– and the backlash.
39:33– Do Nissan and Renault share excessive? Where's the identity?
43:14– Inster identifying: how to inform if it's an automobile launch.
44:25– What's next: DS4 first drive in Porto & Korean launches.

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Posted

December 4, 2025

Electric Vehicles

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Comments

27 responses to “Kilowatt Half Hour Ep 88: EV4 outrage, the Micra backlash and Volvo doubles up”

@petermason8033

September 28, 2025

I cant believe you say the EV4 looks bad and praise the EV3 and 9 that are boxes on wheels with lots of awful black plastic

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1. @Adam-pt3cb
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  While that’s fair if the EV3 and 9, the EV4 really us frigging ugly
  
  Reply
2. @chrisduffill5248
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  Fully agree , I looked at the Ev3 etc and came to the conclusion , I would be trading it in by now because that would do me in …
  
  Reply
3. @johnthemagnificent7022
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  All EVs are ugly…. Get a diesel 😊
  
  Reply
4. @radfoo
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  Not watched yet. But saw e4 review the other day so can guess. Anyway, don’t really like the ev3, ev4 hatch much better though saloon a bit weird.
  
  Reply
@JjaysYoutube

September 28, 2025

I like the EV 4 hatch no very keen on the saloon model, but think the hatch may be a good seller for the brand.

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@chrismoule7242

September 28, 2025

That EV4 fastback is, as I commented on the original video “truly horrrible”. I am tempted to go even further, to be honest. The hatchback is fine.

On the Renault/Nissan saga: I would never buy a Renault on principle [same as my father would never touch a Ford, and my father-in-law would never consider British Leyland], whereas I have owned three Nissan Almera Tinos. But I suppose that isn’t relevant…

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@hugocass8381

September 28, 2025

Regarding the Renault 5 vs Nissan Micra arguments, just look at leasing costs where the Renault is massively cheaper for a given set of leasing criteria. That suggests the market, taking into account popularity and residual values, agrees with Ginny and Nicola.

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@JjaysYoutube

September 28, 2025

I think in Nissan’s defence having co developed the Micra/R5 if their interior (which actually has nicer materials than the R5) is the only downside as being a copy of the R5 then they deserve the same praise the R5 gets.

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@Jonty60

September 28, 2025

I’m really surprised in this argument about the Micra/ 5 that you haven’t brought up the comparison with the Cupra Born and VW ID3. The ID3 came out first but most people think the Born is a better car yet they are built on the same production line. The crunch will come when you compare the sales figures.

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@paulmeredith6102

September 28, 2025

I had a reservation for a Microlino but I let it drop because of the 50% price increase between the announcement and its going on sale. Also, it’s not quite the finished article. It needs a volume manufacturer to reduce the price and iron out the bugs. Then it would sell.

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@LordElpme

September 28, 2025

I like the EV4 Hatchback, it feels like a baby EV6. The saloon’s rear is really bad, I find it more off putting than the Ioniq 6, although they both share the feeling that some person in authority liked the back and front of 2 different cars and they combined them.

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@StuartHargreaves

September 28, 2025

I don’t see the issue with EV4 hatch. The fastback, though, is horrendous.

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@robinparkes988

September 28, 2025

As far as I’m concerned, I want to hear your personal opinions. It adds to the authenticity of your reviews. If I wanted a sanitised review I would read the cars spec’ sheet. Don’t change your format. You can’t keep everyone happy all of the time

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1. @jamesengland7461
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  THIS!
  
  Reply
@amandaashford6224

September 28, 2025

The only thing I wish the company had modified on the Micra is the sunburst of stalks around the steering wheel. The regen paddles are a great idea but I’m sure other functions could’ve been relocated to reduce visual clutter.

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@PaulMeier-cu3ds

September 28, 2025

On your towing list on the web site you completely missed Smarts #1,#3, and #5. Also the Landrover Discovery Sport can do 2.2k kgs of towing or at least the version we have can. You have yet to do any serious towing reviews especially with backing a trailer which at last count Nicola simply found weird, whereas it comes completely naturally to many rural drivers. You have not started on towing and even mild off road. And BTW the case for towing with an EV is not just or even mainly about caravans, but about livestock, horses, and commercial payloads. Please get your towing act together.

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@mikadavies660

September 28, 2025

I also placed a deposit on the Microlino, in a nice bold Orange. However, it took too long to come to the UK and by the time it arrived…. the Renault 5EV was available at a similar price! No point in even considering the Microlino.

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@bluefish2303

September 28, 2025

21:27 The Puma has been a runaway lease deal sales success, so much so there is now a 3 to 4 month wait for vehicles (I’ve ordered one). My dealer said that Ford has taken 20,000 orders (can’t verify that but you may be able to), which given the factory where they are made can only produce 50,000 electric vehicles a year is impressive but there are two other models produced at the same factory: E-Transit Courier and E-Tourneo Courier.

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@Grizzold-HP2

September 28, 2025

Nissan is going bankrubt. They have to do everything to survive.

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@richardpiper4828

September 28, 2025

I have been avidly watching Kilowatt Half Hour and your Electrifying video reviews as I intend to buy a new EV in the coming months. Top of my list was the Renault 5 but I am now being drawn to the Ford Puma Gen-E because there are some great leasing prices at the moment, no doubt stimulated by the car qualifying for the top £3750 Electric Car Grant and Ford’s need to increase EV sales after the disappointing start for the Explorer and Capri.

I cannot recall if you did a double test between these cars or whether I am getting confused with a recent test between the Renault 4 and the Puma but I would welcome views as to which car might suit me better. I like a sporty car and note that the Puma Gen-E has a more powerful motor than the R5 and is a full second quicker to 60 mph. I believe that that handling and steering of the Puma might also be a bit more engaging than the Renault. The downside is that I know that Puma’s range is not as great because of its smaller battery. What really gave me food for thought was I was really quite impressed with the yellow Puma I sat in at the recent Munich Motor Show. The interior finish was not as drab as I was expecting and was very airy with the optional opening panoramic sun roof. In comparison the Renault 5 is very dark and gloomy with its dark grey headlining and hard black plastic. Renault sadly do not offer the option of a sunroof – which I have had on most of my previous cars and would always specify. I don’t think the Renault 4 with the forthcoming fabric roof quite hits my mark. I’m not that keen on the R5’s yellow interior trim on the Pop Yellow colour which would be my paint choice. Would I regret choosing the Puma? Also on my list but still to be revealed is the Cupra Raval. Again I am rather hoping that the Cupra might be available with a sunroof – as offered on the Born.

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@alrobinson6369

September 28, 2025

These last two podcasts are possibly your best ever. Slightly exasperated Mike and the Naughty Twins on top form.

Never change Electrifyng, never change.

P.S. If I want a boring set of facts and figures, I’ll read a manual. Your reviews are by far the most entertaining out there.

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@stephenhedges6665

September 28, 2025

Approx 24 minutes in. Used EV’s conversation.

It would be really great to help people understand how long it’ll take to break even after paying for a home EV charger to be installed. I worked out comparing a 45mpg ICE to a 3mpkwh EV doing 12,000 miles a year. Would take approx 8 months using home charging at 7p to cover the £1000 charger costs. From 9 months its all savings.
Also people need to understand you can only add 7.2kwh x 6hours at cheap rates, which works out to be approx 7.2×6=43.2×3mpkwh=129.6 miles of travel. More than an average person’s daily and possibly weeks usage.

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1. @James-BB70
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  Similar to the rates I use. I hope to get a home charge point once I’ve paid off my last ICE that blew up on me before the loan was paid off 😢. I sure Barnard said it would take years for a charge point to pay for itself! I wish I did ‘average mileage’ 6 hours of 7kw would give me about 2 days range
  
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2. @stephenhedges6665
  
  September 28, 2025
  
  You do approx 16000 miles a year. At 7p you’ll spend about £360 (£30pm) on home charging. Compare that to what you spend now. Octopus do a drive pack for a flat £30pm for max 700kwh per month which is £49 worth if you paid for it at 7p.
  700kwh x 3mpkwh = 2100 miles pm. 25200 miles a year. For £360. Bargain.
  
  Reply
@theelectrictransition

September 28, 2025

Keep up the great podcast everyone, it’s a highlight of my week!

Very sadly, I think the UK market might play a part in Porsche’s decision to scale back on EV production. The UK has a tax loophole that allows the cost of EVs bought by companies to be written off against corporate tax. That encouraged a boat load of C suite executives to buy Taycans, but 3 years later, the boom turned to bust as they all hit, and oversaturated, the secondhand market. This caused a huge amount of depreciation – which, of course the UK media seized as a clickfest.

I miss the days when the UK media didn’t try to optimise for clicks 😢

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@goranstewart4726

September 28, 2025

Anything next to the Ev4 fastback would look good.

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