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Hybrid and electric cars were the rage when gas prices where high. The grandfather of the category has been the Toyota (NYSE: TM) which recently fell on very hard times. Sales of the hybrid were off 26.7% to 11,027 in June and 25.2% to 67,405 for the first six months. Incentives on the Pruis have dropped to .9% for 72 months.



The Prius first came off the production line in 1997. Toyota has sold 3.7 million worldwide since then. Recently sales have been challenged by an army of other hybrids and the new found attraction of all electric cars like the Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) Model 3 which will be priced at $35,000 before government incentives, that could be several thousands of dollars more. That will bring the car to about the same price level as a well-outfitted Prius. Granted, the Tesla will not be available until 2017, but the company has several hundred thousands of orders.

Virtually every large global manufacturer has one or more hybrid models. This was not the case when the...

I wonder if it's an FCV.
Toyota patent filing shows another hope for the flying car

If anyone's interested, I just wrapped up and published my review of the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid. All-in-all, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The overall MPG it delivered seriously surprised me.

Check it out here: 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid » What Drives Us

Russell First impressions driving the 4G prius. and, more prius So is Toyota really taking steps towards more EVs... and then Tony Toyota recall that hits hybrid owners Mark LA uses power saved from LED street lights to power electric cars. Have posted story on WDU FB as well Paul VW settled? Mostly, yes. Tony Looks like Fusco is heading back to the gas station after all

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A new airbag recall announced today:

Toyota Recalls Certain Prius and Lexus CT Vehicles | Corporate

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a coalition of 12 automakers including Toyota, is lobbying to weaken CAFE 2025 CO2 reduction targets, according to media reports. Toyota has not publicly distanced itself from the reported lobbying campaign.

U.S. Underestimates Cost of Fuel and CO2 Goals, Automakers Say - Bloomberg

Source: Automakers Face Tightening Rules in Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate


So it looks like there will be a 'come to Jesus' meeting in 2018. I'm impressed with the progress in battery technology. In effect, they are becoming more practical. However, the fool-cell has yet to show a similar breakthrough until hydrogen reformulation from other hydrogen carriers shows up in the cars.

Bob Wilson

This week Russell, Paul, Mark and Patrick discuss... The first electric touring motorcycle. What has to be the ugliest concept vehicle ever unveiled, a self driving Rolls Royce. Why Nissan Leaf sales have slowed so much. Nissan confirms 200 mile range Leaf coming. Tesla talking about acquiring Solar City.

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3 months after Prius Gen4 was released in Australia, there are still almost none in dealerships - none have appeared in my city, I think there is 1 across the other side of the next city (1 hr away), 2 more 2 hrs away.

I spoke with a salesman at a reasonably close dealership I hadn't contacted before today - he said he didn't think they'd be stocking any, they'll order them in if taxi owners want them, but he didn't think they were targeted at private buyers. Hmmm, I'm not sure if that was his opinion or the boss, but I crossed them off my list.

BUT - just this week, the Corolla Hybrid was released, and a few examples have arrived in dealerships already. It looks like it is a Gen3 dressed up in Corolla clothes. It is reasonably well equipped, but there is no autonomous cruise or lane assist, blind-spot etc like on our Prius. It appears a little smaller, and has a temporary spare tyre. It is about $7000 cheaper than Prius. It is roughly about the same price as...

Source: Nissan Leaf electric vs Toyota Prius hybrid: which is lower on cost, emissions?

As I silently drive away . . .

Bob Wilson

...

Well, some good news for my fellow Ontarians, particularly those in the Toronto area...

Green licence plates

Not sure how they would regulate 'permanent'? At some point (likely far in the future) BEV/PHEVs will be far more common and they will need to repeal this. I can only imagine they will stop providing green plates and grandfather it in over time.

In any case, it is great news nonetheless.

8:00 AM EST on FS1 and 2.
Toyota Global Site | Motorsports | FIA World Endurance Championship

The race coverage just started on FS2.

This week the crew take on... Nikola Motors big electric truck Tesla to sell electric cars at Nordstrom department store, expanding retail footprint The Tesla Suspension story Fiat CEO calls Tesla money losing icon E-Harley in Five Years

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So, thoughts on this? How much more feasible would this be economically compared to hydrogen stored at high pressures? Would it be greener, or would it pollute more than renewable hydrogen via electrolysis?

Nissan takes a different approach to fuel cells: ethanol

Article says CPO Certified Pre-Owned is increasingly important for dealers. I'd certainly think a certified pre-owned Prius is a good buy. I am considering for next Prius as our car taxes in VA are quite high, so a decent used car would be double-whammy savings.

At car dealers, 'certified pre-owned' is the new used

Came across this article today, very interesting read!

Why the Toyota Prius is conquering the land of Genghis Khan - The Globe and Mail

Essentially, they are doing a lot of testing for us, exposing the cars in extreme cold/harsh environment. Battery is the main issue under this scenario.

However, more reasons to think if you are not living in the extremes of natural environment, your Prii will probably last a lot longer. With cheaper-than-you-think battery replacement cost, more confidence vote to keep the car longer.

This week Tony, Mark and Russell spend the entire show talking with Ben Rich. Ben rides his electric Zero Motorcycle all over North America and is just about to set out on a new voyage around the US. We discuss his techniques for long distance electric motorcycle travel and ev bikes in general. Visit Ben on Facebook. You can find Ben on Twitter, @Benswing and on Instragram, @BenSwing. We also want to shout out to Hollywood Electrics and Zero Motorcycles. Thanks to Ben and to Mark Coughlan for inviting him.

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2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD Test – Review – Car and Driver

Road Test: 2016 Lexus NX300h - NY Daily News