While many automakers are putting out happy talk on the prospects of EVs, Toyota is taking a more sober, reasoned view. In this episode, we bring you our exclusive David Christ, Toyota Group Vice President. He is in charge of the Toyota brand in the U.S., and Host Jack Nerad had a chance to sit down with him for a wide-ranging exclusive interview. We think you’ll find what he has to say about electric cars and hydrogen-powered vehicles like the Toyota Mirai a breath of fresh air.

In the road test segment Co-Host Chris Teague will examine the pluses and minuses of the 2022 Nissan Altima SR Midnight Edition. The Altima has always been a popular favorite in the midsize sedan category, but does it have the juice to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry? Chris Teague will have the answers.

Also in the road test segment, Host Jack Nerad will take a close look at the 2022 Volvo XC40 T5 AWD Inscription. It’s the top-of-the-line conventional XC40, but how does it measure up to the battery-electric XC40 Recharge? We’ll let you know in this week’s episode.

In the news this week, Elon Musk says Tesla Motors will cut 10 percent of its salaried workforce because of an impending recession. We’ll have the details and our reactions to that coming up.

And also in the news, experts say the nation’s electric grid needs a tuneup if we are to see a more significant number of EVs on the road. It’s a big issue that isn’t getting much attention even as many suggest the need to switch to EVs is critical.

All that and more coming up in this week’s episode of “America on the Road” brought to you by Mercury Insurance and Driving Today.com.