Mel's Electric Adventure

Life and electric cars with comedian, former Great British Bake Off host and Eurovision commentator Mel Giedroyc and journalist Giles Whittell.

Join them as they test drive different electric vehicles, discuss how life is going to be changed by the electric revolution and get lost along the way.

A new weekly show from Tortoise, launching Wednesday 8 March.

Follow the feed to be the first to find out about new episodes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed: July 27th, 2025 at 8:28 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Electrifying a classic car

In the final episode Mel and Giles go on a special adventure. Under the arches by the Thames they meet Matthew Quitter who runs London Electric Vehicles, they take an electric Austin Healey for a drive and go to Essex to see the 1950s Bristol that Mel's husband wants to electrify. Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and ticket...

May 11, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 10

A bumpy ride

Mel and Giles drive the Polestar 2. In this episode they discuss whether it matters that this Scandi car is made in China, what's driving the shift towards electric vehicles and Mel comments on the bumpy ride. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia....

May 03, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Oh-MG

In this episode Mel and Giles drive the MG4. It's the best selling EV on the market and Mel can see why. They also discuss charging at home and Mel compares plugging it in overnight to putting on her slow cooker. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemed...

Apr 26, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 8

It’s all about Enid

Giles and Mel drive the BMW i4 M50. Before they set off they get talking to Mel's neighbour Enid and Giles finally manages to connect his phone to the car. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. If you’d like to further support slow jo...

Apr 19, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Car-dashian

Mel and Giles test drive the Genesis GV70 and meet an engineer fixing one of the chargers at Heston services. They also discover that the car can get you out of a tight spot. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. If you’d like to furt...

Apr 12, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Abba singalong

Mel and Giles get to grips with one-pedal driving in the Volvo C40 and discuss how green the electricity is that charges your battery. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us ...

Apr 05, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Musk-y funeral parlour

Mel and Giles put the Tesla Model Y through its paces on a narrow country lane. They also talk to Alex about charging etiquette, who is low on battery and waiting for a charger. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a member you’ll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown. If you’d like to f...

Mar 29, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Nineties nightclub

Mel and Giles test the Hyundai IONIQ 5. In this episode Giles struggles with the sound system and reminisces about interviewing Elon Musk. Mel drives on some country roads and they also discuss the environmental impact of building electric vehicles. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year. As a m...

Mar 23, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3

White goods

Mel and Giles drive the VW ID3. Giles explains why the success of this car is so important to Volkswagen's future and they finally make it to Heston services where they meet Michael who is struggling to find a working charger. It's fair to say he's not a convert to electric cars. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join ...

Mar 16, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Launch control

In the first episode Mel and Giles drive the most expensive electric Audi you can buy. Mel shows off her driving gloves, Giles tries to explain Caesar's Last Breath and they have a massage while stuck in traffic. But they do eventually get to feel the speed. Thank you to Octopus Electric Vehicles for providing the car and the expertise. Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism. For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a yea...

Mar 09, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing: Mel's Electric Adventure

Life and electric cars with comedian, former Great British Bake Off host and Eurovision commentator Mel Giedroyc and journalist Giles Whittell. Join them as they test drive different electric vehicles, discuss how life is going to be changed by the electric revolution and get lost along the way. A new weekly show from Tortoise, launching Wednesday 8 March. Follow the feed to be the first to find out about new episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 22, 2023•2 min

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