On today’s test-acular episode of Quick Charge, it’s a new day and a new Chinese ADAS test for Tesla to conquer – but this one’s got a LOT more pedestrian carnage to parse through! We’ve also got some great e-bike deals from Retrospec and a bladder-busting Hyundai.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by the updated Hyundai IONIQ 6 with nearly 350 miles of range from its updated long-range battery. With that, Hyundai now has the longest range Korean EV on the market, while Texas is adding megawatts of battery energy storage to beef up its troubled grid, and it’s doing so faster and cheaper than ever before.

Plus: Quick Charge listeners can get an extra 10% off the price of their next awesome e-bike by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!

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Although many were disappointed to hear that GM was moving away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it appears that it will continue to offer them in at least some overseas markets. Cadillac plans to continue offering the popular feature in EVs sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Cadillac EVs keep Apple CarPlay, Android in Australia

Only two GM electric vehicles remain on sale in the US with CarPlay and Android Auto: the GMC Hummer EV and the Cadillac Lyriq. However, that will soon change.

GM is phasing out the popular connectivity tech in favor of its own Google-based infotainment system. The company argues that an in-house system will offer drivers more control in future EVs. GM, like many automakers, also plans to offer upgrades and subscription-based features.

In at least a few overseas markets, it’s taking a different route. Cadillac announced it will launch a new Connected Services system later this year, featuring Google built-in, for EVs sold in Australia and New Zealand.

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The Cadillac Connected Services offers a suite of connectivity features, including a mobile app and over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Managing Director of GM Australia and New Zealand, Jess Bala, said that “The inclusion of our new Connected Infotainment experience also means that Cadillac owners will have the very latest in Google’s class-leading services, from Google Maps to the Google Assistant.”

Cadillac’s new mobile app enables drivers to check the battery level, precondition the cabin, run vehicle diagnostics, and more.

Despite the new service, a GM spokesperson told CarExpert that “All Cadillac Lyriq, Lyriq-V, Vistiq and Optiq vehicles coming to Australia and New Zealand will offer Cadillac Connected Services as well as wireless smartphone projection,” meaning Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The new service will roll out later this year, starting with the Lyriq. All 2026 Cadillac Lyriq buyers will receive an eight-year subscription to the new Connected Services.

Those who have already taken delivery, or do so before the service rolls out, will be offered a free upgrade from a service location.

Next year, Cadillac will launch the entry-level Optiq and three-row Vistiq. The high-performance Lyriq-V is also set to join the lineup.

Tesla is considering building a smaller pickup truck after the Cybertruck has officially become a complete commercial flop.

When first unveiling the Cybertruck and its polarizing design, CEO Elon Musk did mention that if the controversial truck proves unsuccessful, Tesla would build a different, less polarizing one. He even suggested that Tesla already had a plan B ready to go.

The Cybertruck is now officially unsuccessful.

Tesla planned for a production of 250,000 units per year, and Musk said that it could ramp up to 500,000 units a year.

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Yet, the automaker is currently selling the Cybertruck at a rate of about 20,000 units per year. It’s a commercial flop.

The vehicle program is selling at approximately 10% of the installed production capacity.

Despite the failure, Tesla has not yet greenlit a replacement, but Tesla VP of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, recently discussed the potential of Tesla making a “smaller pickup”:

“We always talked about making a smaller pickup. I think in the future, as more and more of the robotaxi comes into the world, we look at those options and we think about, OK, that kind of service is useful not just for people, but also for goods. [..] We’ve definitely been churning in the design studio about what we might do to serve that need for sure.”

It’s unclear whether Moravy is explicitly referring to a smaller Cybertruck or a smaller pickup designed for cargo.

One thing is clear from the executive comment: Tesla’s priority is “robotaxi”.

Electrek’s Take

This autonomy thing is truly ruining Tesla. They are putting everything through the lens of autonomy, even this comment about making a smaller pickup truck includes “as more of the robotaxi comes into the world”.

The result is that in the last 5 years, Tesla has released a single new vehicle: the Cybertruck.

Tesla should have launched five new vehicle programs during that time, but instead, it focused only on autonomy and failed to deliver it. By now, Tesla should have two cheaper vehicle programs, a real full-size third-row SUV, the next-generation Roadster, and a minivan.

Now, Tesla finds itself having given up its lead in electric vehicles for a fake lead in autonomy, which won’t deliver real value for likely another 5 years, while competition from Waymo, Baidu, and others is pulling ahead.