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Featured Threads Archive
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Toyota expects to break all-time production record in 2023
Toyota says, the supply-chain problems are over, and they will achieve record production in 2023.
Toyota says it could produce 10.6 million vehicles in 2023 | Reuters -
Off-roading in a Prius (article)
Somehow missed this article in the Toronto Star when it was published in June 2022, profiling two Prius drivers, one from Calgary and one from LA, who modded their Prii with lift kits, big wheels and other gear, for off-road adventure:
Off-roading in a Prius? Meet the drivers challenging how far electric and hybrid vehicles can go
The people interested in electric vehicles are a wider cross section of people than you might expect, he says. Some are drawn by the technology, while others would just rather spend less money at the pumps. But in a world where cars can be an “emotional” purchase and many people associate themselves with what they drive, the basic, dependable Prius can be adapted to meet your needs a little easier, he says.
“I still see the value for what it is. It's a very... -
Mazda MX-30 R-EV has been Revealed
Mazda has a new plug-in hybrid called the MX-30 R-EV. The R stands for Rotary engine which actually keeps the battery charged when the battery runs low and/or when extra acceleration is needed. The rotary is 830cc in size and puts out 75hp, about twice that of the i3's 2-cylinder engine on the i3 REX model. No fuel mileage estimates were given.
The electric part contains a 17.8 kWh battery with a single 168hp, 192 lb-ft motor. Although the battery is expected to give the MX-30 R-EV 85 km on the WLTP cycle, it has a 13.2 gallon gas tank so it should be able to go quite far. The engine will kick on when you press the gas pedal a bit too much so in that regard it acts like the 1st gen Prius Plug-in.
Mazda MX-30 R-EV revives the rotary - Autoblog
MAZDA NEWSROOM｜Mazda reveals Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV in... -
Classic Toyota AE86 sports coupes get electric and hydrogen power
They look amazing, I wish they would sell conversion kits in the future for other models.
Classic Toyota AE86 sports coupes get electric and hydrogen power - Drive
EDIT: Theres is a video too -
Great Use for Toyota's Hydrogen Fuel Cells
A French company called EODev uses Toyota's fuel cell technology to make transportable hydrogen generators. When fed hydrogen it acts as a generator and can charge 8 EVs at a time.
Doesn't say how or where they get their hydrogen from, but an interesting concept. The one they show in the tweet is the GEH2 which outputs 480V AC and 110 kVA (88 kW). Enough for 8 x 11 kW L2 connections. Has a built-in 44 kWh battery to deal with sudden surge requirements and temporary storage in case of hydrogen disruption. Weight is about 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs). Ideal for temporary/emergency situations and can act as a cogeneration for heat as well. I would guess they don't need 700 bar (70MPa, ~10,000 psi) hydrogen compression tanks, just a steady stream of hydrogen.
If you want a DC output hydrogen battery, they make a smaller REXH2 that puts out 650 to 725 VDC and 70 kW.
Company website:
https://www.eo-dev.com -
Looking for Toyota EV that aren't SUVs?
For those looking something a little bit smaller, Toyota filed trademarks for four new EVs - bZ1C, bZ2C, bZ3C, bZ4C according to CarBuzz. CarBuzz is guessing C stands for coupes because no letter at the end is for sedans as in the Chinese only bZ3 and X suffix is for crossovers, as in bZ4X. Sweet a MR2 or Celica type EV.
Toyota Has New EVs Coming That May NOT Be SUVs | CarBuzz -
ECO Charging Built into Toyota and Lexus Apps as Part of Remote Connect
Toyota and Lexus have an agreement with WattTime to identify charging times to help reduce CO2 emissions.
Toyota and Lexus Offer Lower Emissions EV Charging Program - Toyota USA Newsroom
For all BEV and PHEVs (yes includes Prius Primes) covered in Lexus and Toyota Apps. What it does is provided a list of time slots that allow users to select the time slot to charge when CO2 emissions are lowest. Yep you have to have a valid subscription for Remote Connect to take advantage of ECO Charging.
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In a first, the US government unveils a plan to decarbonize all transport
https://electrek.co/2023/01/10/in-a-first-the-us-government-unveils-a-plan-to-decarbonize-all-transport/
"The US departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency today released a plan that lays out how they’re going to decarbonize all US transport.
The four agencies have together created the “US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization: A Joint Strategy to Transform Transportation.” It’s a first-of-its-kind strategy for federal leadership and partnerships to decarbonize the entire US transportation sector."
The embedded link there goes to the 88 page blueprint.
"The Blueprint is built around a three-pronged strategy:
- Increase convenience. Community design at the...
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Aftermarket Prius PHEV conversions: Not dead yet!
Never heard of them, no affiliation, buyer beware, etc.
For the Gen 2: https://evbatterycenter.com/HAC4/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=630
*Soon will be able to offer conversion kits for 2010-2014 Prius, C, V
MSRP: $8,00-12,600 (40-60 miles EV)
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Game Changer
Toyota Prime Plug-in at higher trim levels (XSE - XSE Premium) get lower battery mileage range the the base model (SE) Prime Plug-in. So in this Crazy World of Toyota the more you spend/pay for upgrading Prime, the less "free" battery mileage range you receive.
The Prime SE (base level) gets 39 miles or so of battery operation use before hybrid motor takes over. But the more expensive trims levels only get 32 miles. Never thought I'd see the day you pay more for a car, hybrid, EV trim upgrades and then find out the base level model (you don't want) that costs thousands of dollars less, get better battery mileage then upper trim levels.
What am I missing here. UGH
https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2023/01/231422_E02E6936-5155-47EE-AF3D-4B83322D20CE.jpeg -
GM grabss U.S. auto sales crown from Toyota
According to the Reuters news agency:
GM reclaims U.S. auto sales crown from Toyota | Reuters
Definitely been a while since GM was Top Dog in the U.S.A. Will it last? who knows.
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Massive Tesla Fail
Source: Father Deliberately Drove Car Off Cliff, Authorities Say After Dramatic Rescue - The New York Times
. . .
A family of four whose car had careened off a treacherous cliff-top road in Northern California, plummeted more than 250 feet and trapped them on Monday managed to survive and avoid life-threatening injuries.
But now, the authorities say their car’s dramatic drop wasn’t an accident, but an “intentional act,” and that the father could face charges.
Dharmesh A. Patel, 41, of Pasadena, Calif., was arrested late Monday on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the California Highway Patrol, Golden Gate Division said on Tuesday afternoon. He will be transported to San Mateo County Jail after being released from the hospital, the authorities said. The San Mateo County district attorney said that it had not received the case from the Highway Patrol to... -
Now non-NA built BEV can get a full tax credit on Lease.
According to Reuters:
U.S. Treasury says consumer leases can qualify for EV tax credits | Reuters
This makes it possible to lease a non-North American-built BEV with a full tax credit applied to the lease cost. And, since it is a commercial tax credit, the battery sourcing restriction does not apply even after Treasury and IRS implement the guideline for the consumer credit. As of today, Jan 1, 2023, leased BEV (and PHEV?) does not have the final assembly and battery sourcing restrictions to be eligible for the credit.
Good news for someone wanting to get into a BEV including Toyota bZ4X this year. Now, I have to keep my eyes open for a great lease deal as they once had several years ago on PHEVs. I remember seeing no money down $99/mo lease deal for Ioniq back when I was looking at Prius Prime for the first time. In fact, with this rule,... -
Canada wants 20% of Auto Sales to be Zero Emission by 2026
Some interesting data out of this Motor Illustrated article and reveals Canada has a long way to go to meet this target in proposed regulation. Total number of zero emission vehicles were only 5.2% of total car sales in 2021 and including plug-in hybrids were up to 7.2% in the first 6 months of 2022. Most of the blame on the current situation can point to lack of supply, not a lack of willingness, as consumers get frustrated and end up with more polluting options. I would assume a lot of that is also cost related as well, even given the credits available because many of them rely on purchase price limits.
https://motorillustrated.com/20-of-zero-emission-vehicles-sales-in-canada-by-2026/108356/
Looks like the Canadian Gov't is ready to enforce this by penalizing the manufacturers.
You would think, having built over 9 million cars in Toyota Canada's two factories, including... -
So don't warm up your car. Just go after 30sec.
"Smart Motors Toyota says letting your car idle in cold temperatures can shorten the life of your engine by stripping away oil from the engine’s pistons and cylinders — two critical components that help your engine run, Stephen Ciatti, Ph.D., principal engineer for battery systems at PACCAR, told Business Insider in 2016.
Gas-powered cars need oil to keep their engines lubricated. When you start a car, an oil pump circulates the oil in less than a minute. But if you let your car idle to warm up the cabin, the oil will start to slowly drain away from the engine's key components since the engine isn’t moving the car.
“Less oil means more friction, more wear and tear, and a shorter life for your engine,” Firestone says.
While some people let their cars idle to warm up the interior, others may actually be trying to protect their engine because of outdated guidance."
"Instead of waiting for your car to warm up in the winter, most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after... -
New Prius Review (parody)
"How do we make the new Prius cool?"
"A very inoffensive car" they say...
You'll get more details about the new Prius comedy review in this video:
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