Featured Toyota's next EV is...the Aygo?

after seeing prime pricing, it might not be so difficult, if decent tax incentives are in place.

 

thankyou - for reminding Toyota why THIS puny range'ed micro POS was such a fail;



Toyota seemed to understand at one time, that the lower the range, the lower the sales volume. So true, that Toyota realized they could only unload these rollerskates as leased cars. Maybe they work in japan - but not in the US. I snapped this shot at our local train station. The local University just 5 or 6 miles away probably got the entire fleet of them before they were discontinued. And I can't figure why this vehicle isn't simply just called the Scion that the Aygo pretty much is.
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Well, they are in Japan and more focused on that market, and from what I learned about Japanese home electric supplies with the Prime, many there might be able to take advantage of a longer range BEV because of charging issues.

In Europe, ICE cars could end up banned from some city sections. The less than 50 miles range of the eQ isn't enough, but the small size is better for the narrower streets and parking.

The Spark EV has been out for a few years already, and starts at $26k, including delivery, with a range of 82 miles.

 

Toyota's wiki spins a different 'after-the-fact' tale though, when read against several of Toyota's pre-release statements - such as this one;

Toyota shortcircuits electric iQ The Globe and Mail | Electric Cars and Hybrid Vehicle - Green energy

Even the gasser has/had little chance with the micro car offerings already being pretty much over saturated by other manufacturers. If Toyota's idea is to reinforce the notion that "we tried - but no one wants 'em" . . . all they'll prove is few buyers want low range micro ev's. The Eygo as a 'standalone' ? I hope Toyota steps it up - a whole lot.
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does it get the $7,500. credit off that, and what are global sales?

 

That and whatever state incentive there is.
It is available in South Korea, where it is built, California, Oregon, Maryland, and 'limited markets in Europe'. So any global sales figures are going to be poor. It has sold 2719 in the US up through September, though.woohoo. It might be the best selling plug in with limited availability.

It got positive reviews in the auto press. If the CAFE rules had gotten rid of the foreign and domestic distinction for car fleets a few years ago, the Spark EV might have gone nationwide. With the arrival of the Bolt, GM might quietly phase the Spark EV out. Silver and white are the only color options on the car's Chevy site right now.

The smart ED is around $20k before incentives, but only has a range of 60-something miles. BEVs are already low cost to make compared to anything with an ICE without the battery, and the battery costs are improving. This Aygo EV should have a lower price than the Spark EV considering the battery prices should be lower. With it being a small A-class car, and the talk about city use, I don't expect it to break 100 miles in range though.

 

One thing worth noting is that GM dealers are under extremely strict orders to not allow out of state buyers to buy the Spark EV new.

That tells me that they're selling it at a loss to meet ZEV mandates.

 

Wirh each manufacturer federally limited to 200,000 units before their $7,500 irs credit phases out - i'd think gm would want to hold as many back anyway - just to give a bigger share to the Bolt.
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Is it a loss if it saves the manufacturer money elsewhere?

Toyota also limited out of state Rav4 EV sales near the end. These are/were both compliance cars for the ZEV program. GM had plans of expanding the Spark EV availability if expected rules changes to CAFE had panned out. Then they may have sold it at or even below cost for CAFE credits.

Battery costs have dropped since it was introduced. The Bolt is a larger car with nearly three times the range of the Spark EV. The price is $11k more, which is less than going from the 70 to 90 kWh pack on a Tesla S.

We'll likely never know if GM is selling the Spark EV at a loss, or if they just wanted to make sure they got ZEV credits for them. It is a good price with incentives for those that want one.

I just don't think it will take Toyota for us to get an affordable BEV. Technology and production is already moving towards that, and there are other players that have shown a stronger commitment to BEVs.

 

what do you mean by an affordable bev? with all shapes and sizes, how can that be defined? isn't the bolt affordable?

 

You'll have to ask Telmo744, who I should have quoted along with you in my first post.

There are some affordable BEVs now, and more coming. The price is still on the high side, and incentives are needed, but battery costs are still going down.

A BEV that is affordable without incentives won't be because of Toyota. It will be because of Tesla, Nissan, and even GM with their battery company partners.

 

And let's hope it gives the Model 3 (even the Bolt) a major run for it's money !!

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okay, i get it. affordable meaning at the very low end of all car pricing. but is that necessary? maybe in europe, i have no idea. in the u.s.? i think were getting pretty close, and should keep getting closer.

 

Keeping in mind the popularity of cars like the Aygo as city cars (what they're optimized for), and the fact that cities will ban ICE first, yes, it's necessary for there to be a BEV option.

And, because it is a city car that's mediocre on long trips anyway, a BEV need not be long range.