Featured Toyota to delay US EV production to 2026 amid slowing sales, Nikkei reports

They technically have one BEV model now.

2024 Toyota bZ4X | Toyota.com

 

I know little about the mechanicals, but the operation theory sounds like Honda's two motor and Voltec system. It is mostly a series hybrid, but does have a direct connection between wheels and engine for times that would be better to use.

For Toyota, it is a better option that their system for PHEVs and hybrids making more use of the electric side, as they plan with the new engines coming out.

Two counting the Lexus sibling, but not made in the US. So sales are burdened by lack of federal incentives.

 

Meh, perhaps only in China, but Toyota will never use the much inferior and much less reliable BYD technology outside China.

Of course BYD will hype it saying it gets over 100 mpg and the electric-motor efficiency is 99% etc., but here are the actual numbers for BYD Seal DM-i Boost RWD (the most fuel-efficient trim):

WLTP 36.7 mpg (~ US EPA 30 mpg) combined on gasoline
WLTP 99.7 mpge (~ US EPA 83 mpge) combined on electricity

vs.

US EPA 40 mpg combined on gasoline for Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD (with the AWD hit on the fuel economy, an RWD would get at least 42 mpg)
US EPA 120 mpge combined on electricity for Tesla Model Y

Note that US EPA values tend to be a lot lower for corresponding WLTP numbers. For example, Tesla Model 3 is rated 159 mpge WLTP vs. 132 mpge US EPA.

It is not even a close contest. And BYD still cannot make a decent ADAS.

China is good at making LFP-cathode EV batteries but not much else for EVs.

 

I understood they were also burdened my high price & low range.

 

High price, low range, & sorta average DC charging speed.
Some complained of the interior feeling cheap, too - with so much plastic.
KBB felt the same way
2024 Toyota bZ4X Consumer Reviews & Ratings | Kelley Blue Book
.

 

And with weird restrictions on the number of times you can fast charge in a 24 hour period.

 

We like the interior better than the Rav4. The only thing we dislike is occasionally the sunlight can reflect off the center console where the phone charger is. But we have the same problem with our pick-up truck. Then there's the glare off the Prius Infoscreen. Every car has an idiosyncrasy or two. KBB and other places need clicks...

Toyota being over-protective of the battery. We have 27,000 miles on ours and have not lost any range. Although we don't go on long trips with it so we've only had to fast charge a few times.

 

i would have bought one, but for the price.

 

That doesn't sound like a limit an average owner would run into very often.

And if it keeps them from getting ground up like Hertz Model 3s, then they might enjoy a better reputation longer, if they're worthy of one.

 

It's not. I hit that limit with my ID.4 twice a year (thanksgiving and christmas). Luckily, I'm fortunate enough that VW doesn't treat owners like idiots and sourced decent batteries, so it's a non-issue for me.

 

they must have learned their lesson after the emission debacle

 

It isn't.
It does eliminate the "let's try the BEv for the trip" option though. Which goes with Toyota's belief BEVs are for local use only.

Isn't being abused a risk with any car in a rental service?

from the cars that are on the road, we aren't seeing large capacity loss in the batteries. It has been in line with predictions from lab testing. The exception has been the Leaf with its poor thermal management. Extensive fast DC charging will age the battery faster, but we are talking beyond the cutoff Toyota put into the software. Then most won't be doing that simply because of the cost.

Other makes have opted to use a smaller usable capacity in their BEVs. This extends the battery's life, and allows the software to free up buffer capacity to use as the normal loss happens. Toyota could have done the same. Which leaves their choice of limited times of fast charging sessions feeling more like a purposeful hamstring of their BEV.

 

I think that's sensible, and for now anyway I agree with that idea that local use is the right role, the killer app as it were.

I sure don't have any interest in using a publicly-charged BEV, but I find myself wondering about maybe a secondhand Leaf or Bolt just to use for all those many short trips just to keep the miles off the other cars.

That's fair. I don't think anyone was expecting that adding EVs to a rental fleet would immediately become the foundation for a business model of rideshare operators, never mind how hard it went there- almost to the exclusion of other uses.

I can't know whether the restriction was created in response to the rental/rideshare situation or only to support the local-only idea or what, but I can see how it will have a protective influence in general.

 

Local use is there the PHEV shines. My son is able to commute on EV with his RAV4 Prime, but he easily does a couple of trips a week for his dog agility hobby using hybrid, without range anxiety.

In cact, he had no range anxiety driving hos brand new RAV4 Prime from the dealer in Maryland, home to south central Virginia.

 

I'm with you in the local use camp, but some will want to go beyond that. They even do it with 'slow' charging Bolts. A set per day limit on DC charging, instead of considering the climate and battery condition, puts a kink in such plans. Why make the BEV 200+ mile range, if you are going to put extra hurdles in for long trip use?

Meanwhile, Toyota doesn't care how many cycles in a day you put on their PHEV batteries.

 

I wait for a full EV version of Ford Maverick size compact pickup truck. I don't think Toyota will bring the Hilux EV to the US. But I can keep dreaming.

 

You want to buy from a company trying to learn about EVs? Remember, they started by licensing some Toyota patents for their hybrids.Aside from that, Ford is generally not known for Toyota level of reliability.

Remember, the Tacoma in the US used to be basically the Hilux until it grew into the size of our 2000 Tundra.. That is the same reason the Camry became wider in the US than in many other markets.

 

The licensing was only cause Toyota got to the patent office first. Ford developed the tech on their own, and Toyota got stuff from Ford that they wanted(emission control and diesel tech).

Pretty sure Ford has more EV models available than Toyota at this time.

 

ford has a good handle on expensive ev's. tech won't be a problem. like most mfg's, lower cost is what is eluding them so far.

 

we love our 300 mile ev for local use, while my brother cruises the east coast in his model y, with zero charging issues or range anxiety.