Kyle Conner - TST Podcast

[@KyleConner]

Thanks for having me!

[@edwardbourke4328]

Thanks for doing what you do. Your ev knowledge is incredible

[@Reubachi]

Loved your guys back and forth! The whole podcast I was tryna figure out what other channel I've seen you as a guest on. Maybe uh collector car feed? anyway, subbed!

[@porscheguy5848]

Just subscribed to your channel! Seem like a great guy

[@joeyscleaninglady2877]

Sir RIvian is using the same stack as legacy automotive with QNX RTOS and an android hypervisor the only thing they are designing is the middle ware (outsourced plug ins and integration) pieces andUI. Would like to do a deep dive on the software since the software is not even their own but outsourced. Please be factual with your statements I love that you no longer refer to an AC Plug as a charger but now the software issue is just an outsourced piece where the UI and MIddleware is developed with Unreal Engine. You are learning a lot but please be factually correct as I see a lot of this parroted on social media. I.e. an AC charger is external or that Rivian owns its software.

[@davidbaker9943]

Nice you had Kyle on!!

[@justinschultz4325]

Kyle is a hard working treasure in the KZbin community. I get all of the EV nerd details from his channel. He also is a car enthusiast who can drive well.

[@haeikou]

Always love listening to a guy that knows everything. These deep dives into tech are really needed to get to know the landscape. Thanks!

[@anton_grahn]

💯

[@neillevine1731]

I assume you me Kyle

[@Taylorc52]

Oh wow! I just discovered the out of spec channel and have gone a deep dive over the last week or two. Crazy coincidence for you to have Kyle on at approximately the same time!

[@GridConnections]

Great to see @KyleConner back on the channel, great convo!

[@GridConnections]

I was one of the three that appreciated "The Other Guys" reference 😆

[@Olddahg]

The guy who expanded my taste in cars to include electric. Thanks Kyle!

[@twistedsneaks1932]

A bit late but I feel like a lot of ev skepticism can be worked out with a level headed conversation with this man Kyle

[@mikebroom1866]

Doug, then Kyle. Keep the S tier guests coming.

[@narumis]

01:42 - intro 02:21 - “how stupid is that plug holder on the back of the G Wagen?” - thoughts on the EV G Wagen; axis spins, the squircle, and offroading without a spare 11:20 - Kyle going to Joshua Tree to try out Rivian’s charging station and ranking grocery stores 16:41 - EVs’ strengths and weaknesses in LA, Matt’s thoughts on an R1S press truck, and Kyle’s experience with cybertruck ownership 20:50 - Kyle’s experience with Chinese EVs (Wuling Binguo, Xiaomi SU7, IM L6) 36:27 - what specifically will solid-state batteries do to make EVs better? 39:34 - does Matt want a 2-yr-old Taycan at half price? Is it a good deal? 43:30 - the “free” 500e lease deal, a Leaf lease story, and Matt’s friend’s Rivian woes 49:22 - how is the switch to the Tesla-style connector for EV charging going? 1:04:10 - Kyle’s cybertruck got the side panels replaced and Matt calls out Freddie to come pick up that Quattro coupe he’s storing at WCCS 1:07:12 - did Kyle see Shaq’s custom Lucid? And Zuckerburg’s minivan Cayanne 1:10:05 - back to the Tesla connector switch and who (besides Tesla) is handling it the best? And have the reliability of chargers gotten better? As told through the results of Kyle’s latest cross-country EV race Patreon questions: 1:20:23 - when do you think EVs will be seen more regularly at the track? Currently most clubs I track with don’t allow them at all 1:23:37 - could the affordability of used EVs be what finally gets people into them? Conversely, does owing a combustion vehicle become a status symbol? 1:25:36 - buying a depreciated EV that has lost value since new is a great proposition, but does that bleeding ever stop? 1:27:34 - who is leading the EV tech race in terms of new tech and thinking outside the box? 1:29:24 - (a buy vs lease question on EVs) 1:31:18 - what do you think about the idea of EREVs (extended-range EVs) that have a generator onboard? 1:33:55 - will the EV G Wagen be the exception to EV depreciation? 1:34:58 - One: can electric cars ever feel analog? Could one offer the same experience as a Radwood-era vehicle? Two: many older vehicles are worth a ton of money; will EVs ever be a collector’s item and more than a short-term appliance? 1:39:40 - outro

[@shobin05]

I love this guy whenever he comes on tst

[@lemongavine]

Kyle is awesome

[@dan.r9220]

Wooooo! Best part about Tuesday. Helps me get through the work day. Keep up the killer work guys!

[@RomeoKiloLimaWasTaken]

This was a really great episode and the EV talk really makes me want Robert Dunn from Aging Wheels to be a guest because that would be great!

[@Neojhun]

Matts love of two wheels and Robert's love of tiny cars have quite the overlap.

[@goodforwatch]

I don’t understand why you guys don’t show the car that the hosts are describing? Show me the xiaomi zoo7 when you’re talking about it’s shape, please🙇🏻‍♂️🙏🏼

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Same

[@davidbaker9943]

Glad you had Kyle his knowledge is amazing!!

[@dodgemf1]

10:35 Matt saw Daniel Ricciardo & Dax Shephard was the name he couldn't place.

[@ericanderson1753]

Yep.

[@vhol93]

I-90 Surge was awesome!!

[@noxythedhole9626]

2022 Taycan 4S Cross Turismo ownere here. DEFINITELY go for half price on any Cross Turismo or Sport Turismo. It's been EXCELLENT at the track (5 track days on it), for roadtrips (even with two big dogs in the back), for hauling stuff (fit like 20 guitars in the back helping a luthier buddy with some storage issues), and definitely for daily use. No major issues whatsoever after 2.5 years and 25k miles. But definitely some minor bugs with infotainment and connectivity, and some mind-bogglingly stupid software design decisions. Even so, there's no other car I'd want to have, except maybe a faster and newer Taycan!

[@BryceLovesTech]

Amazing car when I test drove it

[@ronald4life1]

56:00 - You would be surprised how many viewers want content more than just the typical track or driving reviews. Viewers are much more intelligent than you would expect.

[@mitchellsteindler]

Matt makes a lot of incorrect assumptions

[@mateogalguera9089]

What's the hard cut about around 1:27?

[@lowstrife]

Hey Zack - bit of a technical parliamentary procedure here - can you check the mixer or the preamp levels? There is a TON of noise coming inform the signal of the microphones. The static floor is really loud, it feels like the microphones are outputting like -12db lower than they should be, and you've had to up the gain like crazy to compensate.

[@Reubachi]

yeah them mic signal way too low, it's unbearable listening to the pods on anything besides bluetooth earbuds.

[@esaedvik]

@@Reubachi It's almost like they don't have Cloudlifters for their SM7b's and crank the gain. And no gate. Which in this case would make it sound even worse.

[@gtiguy9629]

This is why I appreciate Matt’s forwardness ! 😩😂 right into a wall

[@tymwalt]

I'm not a huge EV guy but listening to @KyleConner makes the subject super interesting! Great discussion. For me, I am excited for EV to keep classics going (b/c parts are becoming impossible to source for many. Modern EV with classic lines?! I'm down.)

[@campbellseith6380]

I appreciate the host admitting the key problem most traditional automotive journalists have with EV’S…. It’s disenfranchising to them because they don’t understand what’s ’under the hood’ like they do ICE vehicles.

[@ArianaPelosiSF]

I love episodes with Kyle or Dougiana Degrande 😮😍😍

[@kenton250]

I'm one of the 3 that GREATLY appreciated the Other Guys reference.

[@Ficon]

Kyle is so knowledgeable and experienced in the EV market.

[@Jushwa]

Really enjoyed this episode, the last one with Kyle was really great too.

[@cordkretzschmar5693]

The brake pads of the Xiaomi SU7 looking so small. They could fit to an E UP.

[@ChanceCLT]

Kyle is the best!

[@kevinwiseman3187]

Plus, how about letting Kyle finish a sentence or two

[@alexroy144]

great interview!

[@mike9588]

My honest question is how do EVs not turn into straight up tech products, like how does something that costs 40-50k (average EV transaction price right now) that’s worth 20-25k in 3 years, how is everybody not forced to just eventually lease

[@neilturner6749]

In Europe, 50%+ depreciation over 3 years has always been the norm. In fact humdrum cars like mid-trim Focuses used to depreciate > 60% in 3 years until the COVID supply shortage has lately slowed that down a little. We just changed our cars less frequently (ie bought less new cars) to mitigate the costs.

[@Bob_Smith19]

And you found the real goal of the EV push. It’s to lock you into a constant payment. Along w/ controlling your mobility. Combine it all w/ digital currency, a social credit system and fifteen minute cities and you a dystopian nightmare.

[@deathcab4booty]

a $45k BMW or Audi is also like $25k after 3 years. That kind of depreciation is not exclusive to EVs.

[@BillB33525]

The biggest problem with CCS Charging is station crowding, somewhat due to free juice given out by many car brands.

[@mike9588]

Really excited for the lucid model y competitor, curious what the full price range will be as well

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Love how everything is ok, except the brakes 😅

[@FthePump]

Kyle is a great guest

[@BryceLovesTech]

Love Kyles knowledge

[@austinkent7728]

Screens also age a car more than switches... When you are buying as an investment, that is much better for the long run. 1:24:56

[@Indypacecar82]

In Kansas City, there's an old Anderson electric plant on main street. Built electric cars there until 1920, I believe.

[@arthurs7882]

Sorry.... Combustion cars can do infinite laps back to back with no degradation? *GM heatsoak intensifies*

[@vvevvevvvv]

That is something what can be fixed with an aftermarket.

[@cjonesplay1]

Still a good show. I enjoyed.

[@stotheh]

What's with the clunky cut at around 1:27:00?

[@bsbllclown]

Don't forget the new Scout EVs will be ERev. Cannot wait for the Terra.

[@joeplatz7289]

Fully support getting the Cross Turismo. I have a base 4 CT, still has dual motor, high performance battery. I've had zero issues. Hard to beat the Taycan as a daily; quiet, comfortable, fast. Pairs perfectly with my Boxster 4.0 GTS, but every time I take the 718 on the highway or a longer drive, I miss the Taycan.

[@rnodeprot]

Just passed on a used Taycan. Porsche is recently sending letters to owners for battery issues, told to keep charge 80% or less until a fix is ready. Great car when good, but chances are too high you'll be driving a loaner a decent amount. Too many recalls since 2020. That being said, I ended up in a M240ix, so what do I know.

[@welfiblablabla]

1:34:55 Yes, they can feel analogue. Have you ever geard of the Opel Manta GSE? But should they? Probably not

[@DerrickMoy]

not only does the Tesla Superchargers cables overheat, the 1st generation mobile chargers also overheat when charging at home 💀

[@G55STEYR]

How heavy is a big battery of 100kwh?

[@pan4632]

yes

[@GTStrane]

Matte Rimac would disagree.....lol

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Great show, ragazzi 👌🏼

[@andrejensen9002]

Love Kyle👍

[@nizerims4748]

Kyle still needs to do his first desk pop.

[@arthurs7882]

Funny that you're commenting about infrastructure improving.... I got my ioniq 5 in May and generally had no issues charging up until recently. The closest charger to me was down to one out of three working chargers and the backup charger which was over 20 minutes away each way was down from 3:00 to 2:00. I'm in the Northeast and I think the cold contributes, I basically had to dedicate half of the daylight hours on a Sunday to getting like 40 kw

[@gregpochet4812]

Need to have home or work charging. That is key in owning an EV.

[@NO3V]

Question: Would it be appropriate or even necessary for journalists to mention that Lucid's (and to a degree Rivian's) offerings are so incredibly and unprecedentedly (!) unprofitable that all positive attributes of the car are actually kind of unimpressive - not to mention the danger to the potential customer of ending up with an unserviceable car - Fisker-style.

[@pherron7471]

Well, Amazon, Volkswagen, and Ford are Rivians biggest backers. I'm more concerned with Lucid's Saudi backing, because I don't know if I really want to support that.

[@Bob_Smith19]

They’re like almost every other tech company. They burn through cash while trying to reel in the next sucker they can fleece for millions.

[@mitchellsteindler]

​@pherron7471 do not support that

[@sickset]

The Taycan/E-Tron GT and all the recalls and issues don't seem to be mileage specific. Brand new 2024 (not the 2025 refresh) still having the same issues/pop up messages. But like Kyle said when you're in the FB groups you see more issues than hear about the good. I'm currently eyeing a 2024 GT since the lease is so aggressive. Porsche dealerships here are letting you lease 2020 Taycans that are coming off lease, lol. The payment is "low" compared to new, which has people jumping on them. Curious how often they will be back in for issues, though during the term.

[@triaxe-mmb]

Number 980! Wow...can't believe it's been that many and I have listened to a whole lot of them over the years. Have a great Xmas Matt & Zack - thank you for the years of quality entertainment! Hope you guys do something big for 1000! Like the a big amalgamation of the best guests on 1 pod...just spitballing...or you could just let it roll over like another pod and keep chugging along!

[@darknessdepth8]

Some how Kyle just forgot about the roll out of the new V4 charger by Tesla that will support up to 1000V and longer cables. Some times I wounder if Kyle has a bias.

[@packetauditor]

W Podcast and W guest. MORE EV!

[@fraserwright9482]

Solid state has longevity issues as Kyle explained, also it can't be recycled as its a compressed soup. Plenty of money being thrown around but yeah...

[@Cyrribrae]

It has to do with the complaints about EVs (correct or not). Solid state promises to be lighter, more range, safer. So there's a lot of interest, even if LFP might still be the standard for most. The point about recycling is premature, though. There are no solid state batteries. How could there be a recycling industry for it? But there are existing processes to recycle parts of it. No reason to think it CAN'T be recycled at all.

[@kingjaf]

The last year Caddy ELR apparently had a performance model that got zero press. Not just wheel & tire performance, but actual electrical upgrades, including higher gauge wiring. Not sure if it's HP too, because so little press on it and very small numbers made/sold. Future collectible for Matt?

[@bigredactionsportsstuff1245]

The Chinese are killing it with the cars, I went to overseas recently and was blown away, everyone wants Chinese cars now because their looks and features are vastly superior to everything coming from Europe. They’re just cool.

[@kgregg97]

Great episode!

[@JohnCap523]

C’mon man, the reason Tesla opened up Superchargers is to qualify for NEVI billions, nothing else. Aside from the Musk factor, I’d have to be pretty desperate to plug my EV6 in to get 100kw when I get 243 at a 350.

[@arthurs7882]

Not having a spare stinks, but let's not delude ourselves into thinking that gelandewagen owners Are doing their own trail side tire swap 🤣

[@Indypacecar82]

I wonder how long until we start getting Chinese EVs in the states.

it's a US national security concern, not gunna happen. Think how much computing power, telemetry capturing, cameras, etc. their modern EVs have. Same reason for the TikTok bans and Chinese smartphone like Huawei were banned years ago. All that data gets sent via cellular and GPS into the Communist party's servers so they can collect even more data on the US citizens, infrastructure, etc. like it's own citizens. Also Trump's 30% tariffs won't help

[@Bob_Smith19]

Tariffs on Chinese EVs are already at 100%. Biden did that in May of this year. The rest of what you said is all true. It is a national security concern. But it’s also a concern that US companies are doing the same to US citizens. All data collection needs to be stopped. But that’s a pipe dream at this point.

[@yusufcanaktas6929]

with trump, nope

[@Indypacecar82]

@yusufcanaktas6929 there's already a 100% tariff on them. That may still not be enough of a deterrent. I could see them easily building plants in Mexico or Canada to sell here.

[@zkjel125]

Rimac Nevera could be/are collectable

[@Neojhun]

Only about 200 of the Nevera & R will ever exist. While the drop dead gorgeous Pininfarina Battista will just have 150 units. Yes they are apex collectibles.

[@RomeoKiloLimaWasTaken]

@@Neojhun Yeah they're so collectible, that's why they're still sitting around unsold...

[@gregpochet4812]

Great Episode.

[@rajwade695]

Matt Just looks like a hater, hating on Tesla for the failures and just skipping over other Companies faults.

[@vetteb96c]

Correct, he is a known Tesla hater.

[@M67v]

In other news, the sky is blue

[@mitchellsteindler]

Meanwhile he couldn't get past the su7 brakes.

[@M67v]

@ ong he was dragging it. Like he couldn’t say a single nice thing about that car.

[@emmaberry5178]

1:01:29 *laughs in bay area*

[@frozenchikoo]

Yeah lol, charging my car at home on the tiered plan cost just as much as an ICE car. I think I’m done with EVs when my work takes away free charging.

[@avishardutta2578]

The problem with Matt is that he can never go past his biases.

[@mitchellsteindler]

Matt really needs to take a page out of Zacks book. Stop being such a downer and just be interested. Ask questions.

[@JSmooVE3990]

Normally I agree with you about not wanting everything to be a screen but when it comes to Rivian it makes more sense because they're actually capable of adding functionality to the car OTA. So they may need to move buttons or add functions to buttons which is much easier to do with a screen than a physical button they'll actually change layouts and animations. OEMs can't do all screens until they're doing OTA SDVs properly.

[@Billyhime]

Kyle convinced me to go buy a used Leaf, using the used EV tax credit I got it for $3250 and I get to leave my model s at home while I drive the leaf to college and back.

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

You can try sounding like this guy, if you want to emulate or imitate Joe Rogan. I don't know why you'd want to do that, but here's an example of how to go about it, if you go for that sort of thing.

[@TheoPhilpot]

Doug AND KYLE ?!

[@SpottedSharks]

BMW has an awesome performance driving school right there in Thermal.

[@cjonesplay1]

Autoline Daily 2.0

[@iamrobbieb]

In our apartment in miami there are hybrids and EVs plugged in where ever there is a normal outlet, it’s a mess. People are parking in places that aren’t even parking spots to be close to a plug

[@Bob_Smith19]

Ohms law, Kyle needs to learn it. Higher voltage doesn’t mean anything w/ out amperage. Higher voltage allows for smaller cables because the amperage will be lower. It’s one of the main reasons it’s used for industrial applications. It all boils down to cost. Fact remains that V=IR.

[@joemcdonough7509]

And you need to learn how be respectful and add context to your conversation. Nobody knows what you are talking about and we're also not interested because you're acting like you know more than anyone here including Kyle.

[@biglee13m]

Was disappointed with Dougcast... I'm in for Kyle! Hitting play!

[@Reubachi]

fr. doug in the last 5 years (in his own eyes lol) organically turned into a...hoity toity rich person? Literally the way he talks, sits, looks people in the eyes has changed since he bought a house on the vineyard and moved a fleet of hyper cars there. Can't blame him really.

[@pickelkilla]

Love Doug but the podcast was rough lol

[@biglee13m]

@@pickelkilla It's cool that they have Countach but seriously? I had to pull the plug early and probably not going to go back to it. The first half hour was nothing but Countach! wtf happened to him.

[@LukasWeber-lm3ni]

In case you're still looking, Bmw (in my humble opinion) has been quietly making one of the best Hybrid Suv's on the market AND they still have a few buttons kicking around too. Yeah yeah I know its fugly af up front but The x5 50e might be worth a look if you're still in the market. Some good deals to be had on "the best of both worlds" so to speak.

[@jonathonalsop2120]

What's the real world electric range?

[@PWN-E]

Disagree about there not being a good electric track/club car. It's a used M3P. Several of them at autocross now and the handling is great. Even with just sticky tires and a sway bar the car is fantastic. Plus it's cheaper to daily than a BRZ and more reliable than anything with remotely similar performance.

[@donaldshelton1720]

Run my EV off our solar panels. No added cost. Great every day can the Mac e is.

[@BrianK04]

There was a weird color light on Kyle's face.

[@aguruattapiano]

Kyle is a great guy, but I get what Matt means when he says talking about EVs quickly turns super nerdy and is not fun in a recreational way.

[@fraserwright9482]

Also most people don't drive Seattle to Boston, you would fly.

[@AmitPatel_.]

@@fraserwright9482You also wouldn’t have three drivers and keep the car moving 24/7 with nothing more than charging stops for days. To me, it is fun to watch.

[@Cyrribrae]

Just because you're not used to it. Talk about tire compounds or fuel injection and many people would be just as nerdy and locked in for days.

[@Bob_Smith19]

I deal w/ electricity as part of my profession. I find the discussions aggravating because people don’t understand the basics of electricity. The science is well established but the talking heads don’t seem to have a grasp of Ohm’s law which is extremely basic.

[@adamfry1125]

Taycan going to zero, thats just ridiculous 🙄

[@memertmemes2586]

Nah that Audi Quattro is sick, I saw it on the auction. It's got good bones. You also just spoiled his surprise.

[@Bob_Smith19]

No he didn’t. He talked about it the day it happened and has mentioned in a few times since. It’s old news at this point.

[@stevemartegani]

Dude talking about EV's being banned at the track must he from some hillbilly part of the country with tracks being run by a bunch of good old boys, because all the tracks around here now have EV fast chargers in the pits and encourage EV's...

[@elemenop718]

I wouldn't call Fred Lambert a reliable source.

[@chalachin4452]

Thanks for saying what a hideous cayenne zuckerberg created. Like the cheap hs prom stretch limos.

[@neillevine1731]

Only watched because Kyle was on. Not likely to watch again as the host is an idiot with most of his EV comments

[@triaxe-mmb]

I loath the Cybertruck as a product (it's a personal taste thing - you do you if that floats your boat) but it is still the best selling EV truck in the US...that says a lot about the state of that market segment when Ford and Rivian can't move more product than that hideous thing...

[@Reubachi]

Couple points. 1. (less relevant) Teslas time in the EV market is quite literally 5x the length of Ford, Chevy, Hyundai. The Mustang Mach-E is a universally panned vehicle, and barely undersold the cybertruck. 2. ^That is not a signal to the car's quality. It a signal to the "virtual signaling" basis of most car purchases now, EV or not. No one buys anything due to vigorous, perfect research. They buy things based on socio-economic status, opportunity/convience, marketing, brand loyalty, and identity politics. Case in point, people are buying almost as many mach-e's as cybertrucks because they are DIRT CHEAP right now. Opportunity. Because due to all that^, cost basis versus MSRP is nonexistant, and manufacturers have 10 new monetization avenues, all while reducing actual quality mechanics with cheap plastics, shoddy automated linework, high maintenece intervals etc.

[@triaxe-mmb]

@Reubachi I was talking specifically about EV trucks and not the entire EV segment but good points. Ford has had sales increases for the MachE - I don't care how they do it (cut the price is better but I will take manufacturer incentives)...they were overpriced IMO so glad to see prices coming down... Most of the panning of Mach E is cause they called it a mustang...as a product it's fine...not exceptional but not terrible as evidenced by Matt's own long-term ownership vids - it's like the Camry of the segment in my mind...

[@triaxe-mmb]

@@scottstowell7 fair points. My kids love that truck for basically the same reason but for me it sacrifices usability to gain that unique for. And I would rather have functionality over form...so F150 Lightening or the Rivian R1T are more my speed...also they can be had for like a whole Model3 less in price ATM...

[@ndb_static_6850]

@@scottstowell7It’s a lazy design and you think that it’s the best looking car on the road? 😂 no taste at all!

[@scottstowell7]

@ndb_static_6850 you’re an idiot if you think one the best engineered trucks on the road is “lazy design”. Lazy design is selling the same thing for the last 50 years and raising the price every year because you added some cup holders or a fancier seat material.

[@kevinwiseman3187]

Kyle is great, only reason I found this podcast. But as far as the dude hosting, too much GDs and JCs. And I’m a gearhead that cusses like a sailor. But not that way

[@Bob_Smith19]

It was so minimal compared to usual that I didn’t notice. If you have a problem w/ benign language like that then you’d hate the way he normally speaks.

[@jtee9548]

20min 43sec in - it's called exploitation.

[@darknessdepth8]

Why do all of this guys like Kyle, Fully Charged and others who will be treating Chinese EV brands competing with Model 3 like they are there youngest child while the Chinese EV software is shit, and Model 3 is better yet they still go back to Chinese EVs. smh

[@tlangton]

This host keeps interrupting Kyle. Very annoying. Dude has issues.

[@xkc9689]

Both of you are fools on everything China related you said minus details of the car :)

[@yeahbuddy92193911]

Yet another reason I would only buy a Tesla, their battery replacement is only $7 - 12k on the 3 & Y. Every other car manufacturer is $40k+. Nope!

[@tega85]

Here for Kyle Connor, not a fan of the host, just saying..

[@cjonesplay1]

KZbin is Bad. Because You A Tesla Hater 😂

[@frankandmo]

Matt, the political and Elon diggs are making me unsubscribe. (Not a Tesla owner) A point of view is fine, but your bias is unbecoming to me. I am sorry because I’ve been a listener/subscriber for a long time, be well 👍