Tesla recovers, Hyundai's fresh updates, and China's continuous electric vehicle advancements discussed on The Driven Podcast.
The Driven, a media platform focused on electric vehicles, recently held a discussion that delves into the latest developments in the EV industry. The discussion, hosted by Sam Parkinson, the Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media, touches on Hyundai's latest small EVs and future plans for Tesla.
Parkinson's particular interest in electric vehicles and social policy is evident throughout the discussion. He has been working with Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid since 2014 and with The Driven since its inception in 2017.
Hyundai's Latest Small EVs
The discussion focuses on two of Hyundai's latest small EVs: the 2025 Hyundai Kona EV and the Hyundai Inster EV.
The redesigned 2025 Hyundai Kona EV boasts a bold new exterior inspired by the Ioniq series, a refreshed interior with more space, and updated technology. It offers two battery options: a standard range 48.6 kWh pack with about 200 miles of range and a longer 64.8 kWh pack with up to 261 miles EPA estimated range. Pricing starts around $32,900 for the base SE trim and goes over $41,000 for the fully loaded Limited trim. The Kona EV is designed as a smart, city-friendly electric SUV appealing to both new and experienced EV drivers, with DC fast charging capabilities and vehicle-to-load tech (powers devices up to 1.7 kW).
The ultra-compact and affordable Hyundai Inster EV is aimed primarily at urban drivers, priced starting around €25,000 (~$27,000). Despite its compact footprint (3.8 m long), the Inster offers a surprisingly spacious and versatile interior, including fold-flat seats and the ability to even sleep inside. The Inster has a 49 kWh battery pack yielding about 229 miles (370 km) of range and a modest 113 hp motor, capable of 0-60 mph in about 10.6 seconds. Its key appeal is efficiency and practicality for city driving, along with impressive tech features for its segment.
Future Plans for Tesla
The discussion also covers what's next for Tesla. However, exact 2025 overall EV sales data and detailed Tesla future plans require additional or direct sources beyond those in the current search results. Based on typical industry trends and Tesla announcements, Tesla continues to invest in expanding its lineup, manufacturing capacity, and autonomous driving capabilities.
The latest episode or discussion from The Driven podcast can be accessed on The Driven's website and various podcast platforms for further reading or listening. For the freshest insights on EV sales data and Tesla’s plans, checking their official platform or recent episodes directly is recommended.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona EV, inspired by the Ioniq series, showcases a smart, city-friendly electric SUV design with updates in technology, accommodating both new and experienced EV drivers. On the other hand, the Hyundai Inster EV, priced reasonably for urban drivers at around €25,000, offers an efficient and practical city driving solution, maintaining impressive tech features despite its compact size. Meanwhile, Tesla's future plans, although not fully detailed in the current search results, involve expanding their lineup, manufacturing capacity, and autonomous driving capabilities, following typical industry trends.
