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Autoblog Electric launches; we talk EV news, VW ID.4 and Kia EV6 | Autoblog Podcast #770

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. In company news, we launched the Autoblog Electric hub this week, and as such, we spend a lot of this episode talking about EVs. WE start by talking about some electric pickups on the way, EV charging and U.S. infrastructure plans, states banning ICE sales, the happiest EV owners, thoughts on the viability of smaller electric automakers and Formula 1's renewed stance against goinf electric. We also share notes on the Volkswagen ID.4 and Kia EV6 we've been driving, as well as other memorable EVs we've driven in the past year. Finally, we reach into the mailbag for a Spend My Money update before talking about late winter/spring beverages.  Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #770 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Autoblog launches Autoblog Electric Electric pickup trucks available in 2023 and beyond The current and future state of EV charging New Jersey is the next state to ban light-duty ICE vehicle sales by 2035 Rivian R1T, Mini Cooper Electric owners happiest with their EVs Thoughts on smaller electric automaker firms F1 CEO vows there will never be an electric car on the grid Cars we're driving Long-term 2022 Kia EV6 2023 VW ID.4 Other memorable EVs Spend My Money update: Replacing an Alfa Romeo Giulia with a BMW i4 Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: Government/Legal Green Motorsports Podcasts Kia Lotus Volkswagen Green Automakers Green Culture Green Driving Truck Crossover SUV Electric Racing Vehicles Infrastructure Lucid

Volkswagen tipped to launch turbocharged Up! with 100 hp

Overseas customers enticed by the compact dimensions of the Volkswagen Up! but turned off by its diminutive 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine may be encouraged by reports that the German automaker is planning a more potent turbo version. Previewed by the GT Up! concept showcased at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (pictured above), the more performance-oriented model is expected to pack the turbo three from the larger Polo, where it produces 100 horsepower channeled through a five-speed manual transmission. That may not seem like much, but it would put the existing 59- and 74-horsepower versions of the German city car to shame. That might not give it enough punch to keep pace with the upcoming Smart Fortwo Brabus (and its Renaultsport Twingo counterpart), tipped to pack as much as 130 hp, but it could stand to out-perform the existing 89-hp turbo models of both. Given that the reports are emanating from Brazil, however, it is possible that the Up! Turbo (or whatever it's ultimately called) would be limited to the South American market, if it's built at all. One thing's for sure, though: it's not likely to make it to North American showrooms anytime soon.

Auction for first US VW e-Golf raises $41,400 for Global Green charity

Would having Jay Leno on hand have changed the outcome? That's what executives at Volkswagen might be asking after the German automaker auctioned off the company's first electric car in the US for around $6,000 over MSRP. VW auctioned off the first Volkswagen e-Golf in the US to raise money for the environmental non-profit Global Green USA. Bruce Oberg, an EV enthusiast and previous VW owner, proudly cut a $41,400 check for the car, which has a 116 miles per gallon-equivalent rating and is said to be able to go about 80 miles on a single charge. At your local dealer (depending on where you live), the e-Golf starts at $35,445. Sales start later this month in 11 states: California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Washington, DC. The $6,000 premium for first-dib rights for the e-Golf is nice, but it doesn't compare to what BMW worked out this summer. In August, the first i8 plug-in hybrid in the US was auctioned off at California's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for $825,000 (to an unidentified buyer). That's about six times the car's sticker price, but this special edition came with Louis Vuitton luggage and was presented by noted car buff Leno. VW's press release below. VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF RAISES MONEY TO BENEFIT GLOBAL GREEN USA AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CHARITY AUCTION Nov 4, 2014 Winning bidder claims first VW electric vehicle as the car begins to ship to select U.S. dealerships Herndon, VA (November 4, 2014) – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that the auction of the first 2015 all-electric Volkswagen e-Golf has raised $41,400, with proceeds benefitting the national environmental non-profit Global Green USA and its efforts to advance smart solutions to climate change. The winner of the auction, which ran from October 8–29 on CharityBuzz.com, became the first U.S. driver to own Volkswagen's all-new, fully-electric vehicle. "Volkswagen's commitment to e-mobility and sustainability runs deep. We could not be more proud that the e-Golf has helped raise money to benefit the efforts of Global Green USA, an organization that shares in our dedication to the environment," said Michael Horn, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.