Episode
Project Hail Mary, Holy Grail Batteries & Who’s Playing Bond Next?
- Podcast
- The Tailoring Talk Magazine
- Published
- Apr 14, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1700
- Processing state
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- https://shows.acast.com/the-tailoring-talk-magazine/episodes/project-hail-mary-holy-grail-batteries-whos-playing-bond-nex
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Summary
247 Another unscripted Sunday catch-up, and this time Roberto is behind the wheel of his new Mini Electric - loving every second of it - while Jon is still waiting for his Nissan to be returned after nine months in a dealership. Life is unfair. We cover a lot of ground this week, from a film you absolutely need to see to a battery technology that could change EVs forever. Today’s conversation covers: •Jon’s Nissan saga update - nine months since the car was towed for repairs and still no resolution; a surprise service appointment, a head mechanic who said things he definitely shouldn’t have, and how filing a Financial Ombudsman case suddenly made Nissan very interested in picking up the phone •Mini Electric vs BMW M2 - Roberto drove the M2 to Sussex mid-week for speed and efficiency, but the car he keeps finding excuses to drive is the Mini; real-world range (150–170 miles), motorway behaviour, remote parking via phone, and why driving silently past school parents in idling Range Rovers is deeply satisfying •Project Hail Mary - both Roberto and Jon are evangelical about the Ryan Gosling sci-fi film; practical effects, an emotionally hopeful story, and why it might deserve a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination; Roberto’s slightly dodgy viewing arrangement and why he booked Odeon tickets anyway to clear his conscience •Solid-state battery breakthrough - Finnish startup Donut Lab claims the holy grail: a battery with 400Wh/kg energy density (roughly double current lithium-ion), a potential 5–8 minute full charge, unlimited lifespan, and performance unaffected by heat or cold; if it works, this is the tipping point that makes petrol cars obsolete •Cheshire road trip in the Mini - Roberto is planning to drive the Mini Electric up to Rookery Hall and the Bentley factory…