Tesla Recovers, Hyundai's New Launch, and China's Continued Focus on Electrification in The Driven Podcast
In the latest episode of The Driven podcast, hosts Sam Parkinson, Tim Eden, and Riz Akhtar delve into the current surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales. The discussion highlights Hyundai's new compact electric vehicle, the Hyundai Inster, priced under $40,000 with a range of approximately 327 km.
The podcast also touches on the shifting market direction of Tesla, given the increasing competition and evolving consumer preferences. The hosts reference broader EV sales trends, including Tesla's challenges in logistics and competition from Chinese brands like BYD. They discuss the growing EV market in Australia and globally.
The global EV market is experiencing rapid growth, with over 9.1 million EVs sold in the first half of 2025—a 28% increase year-over-year. China leads with 5.5 million units sold (+32%), followed by Europe with 2 million EVs (+26%), while North America shows slower growth at 3%.
The podcast's commentary aligns with this data, emphasizing Tesla's current dominance but also noting strong competition from newer, affordable models like Hyundai's small EV and Chinese brands.
In addition, the podcast discusses the sales figures for some of the bestselling EVs in 2025 so far, including the Tesla Cybertruck (estimated 15,000 units), Ford F-150 Lightning (13,029 units), BMW i4 (12,849 units), and Chevrolet Blazer EV (12,736 units).
The episode provides valuable insights into both particular EV model sales performance and macro-level trends, such as global market expansion, regional leadership, and competitive pressures impacting Tesla's market share.
Sam Parkinson, one of the hosts, has been working with The Driven since its inception in 2017. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media. Parkinson is an occasional contributor to Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid, two platforms where The Driven can also be found, along with various podcast platforms.
The Driven podcast is a regular discussion on topics related to electric vehicles. The current episode is just one of many that provide insightful analysis and discussion on the latest developments in the EV industry. Stay tuned for more episodes!
The hosts of The Driven podcast, including Sam Parkinson, focus on the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and discuss the challenges Tesla faces due to increased competition and evolving consumer preferences, particularly from more affordable options like Hyundai's compact EV, the Hyundai Inster. The global EV market is experiencing a significant surge, with China and Europe leading in sales and North America showing slower growth. The podcast also examines the sales figures of popular EVs such as the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, BMW i4, and Chevrolet Blazer EV. As a whole, the podcast offers valuable insights into specific EV model sales performance and broader trends in the EV industry, such as market expansion, regional leadership, and competitive pressures.
