Featured Threads Archive

The last time voltages were changed over was over ½ a century ago - when the Automotive industry went to 12 volt over 6 volt. The rationale to switch over to 48v is extensive - but of course that would mean a lot of the peripheral electronics that use it would have to be upgraded & thus the switch over has been met with resistance (no pun intended).
Cybertruck incorporates 48v instead of 12v. Tesla just released all their documentation to the competition which will bring its changeover more affordably if when the competition also incorporate it.

'Great For The Industry': Ford, Others Get Tesla Cybertruck 48V System Specs

Hopefully domestic Manufacturing won't drag their feet & let the Asian countries Master this long before the USA
.

Here's Why The Tesla Cybertruck Might Never Make It To Europe (Updated) (insideevs.com)

"First of all, the market for pickups in America is huge, and that is different with you," Moravy told TopGear. "And two: European regulations require a rounding of 3.2 millimeters on protruding parts. Unfortunately, it is impossible to make a rounding of 3.2 millimeters on a 1.4 millimeter sheet of stainless steel," he added.

Why Elon Musk's Cybertruck Won't Be Coming to Europe Anytime Soon (businessinsider.com)

To drive a vehicle heavier than 3.5 tons in the EU, drivers must have a category C1 license — meaning that to drive a US-built Cybertruck on European roads, you may need to apply for a...

While most of us on Priuschat who work on hybrid battery packs and associated components got our training from the people we met on PriusChat, I recently got an announcement from Jose, who has an advanced hybrid training class starting on Dec.11th: Hybrid Solution Diagnostics - YouTube

He's based on the island of Trinidad-Tobago and is offering this 16 course in-person class on everything you need to learn to be a hybrid and EV technician. Each class is 2-1/2 hours long and in US dollars the cost is roughly $62 per class, which seems like a reasonable price.

Of course probably most of us won't be able to show up for that. So it got me thinking where else besides PriusChat do hybrid repair folks get their trainings?

There's lots of community colleges that offer auto repair certificates. The two I'm aware of are the one Professor Joe ( Hybrid Car Battery Distributor...

Toyota showcases new generation battery electric technologies with FT-3e concept

Toyota previews expanded dedicated BEV line-up and advanced battery technologies

This is a really good in-depth analysis of why repairing a BEV is so expensive.

Why repairing your BEV is so expensive—WSJ

Here is an excerpt:

‘For EVs, repairs following a collision can cost thousands of dollars more than their gas-powered counterparts, because the fixes tend to require more replacement parts, the vehicles are more complicated and fewer people do such repairs. While those issues may ease over time, first-time electric owners may be startled by the higher costs and longer wait times.

…

Higher repair costs are also helping to drive up insurance premiums for electric owners, who pay on average $357 a month for coverage compared with $248 for gas vehicle owners, according to insurance comparison website Insurify.

…

“People are used to hearing that EVs have fewer parts than a combustion vehicle, but that is not the case in collision repair,” said Marc Fredman, chief strategy...

“… , which is why we are asking you to slow down your proposed regulations mandating battery electric vehicle (BEV) production and distribution.”

It looks like all my Toyota dealers are in the list that sent the letter.

Letter to the President on BEVs—Voice of the Customer

List of US car dealers demanding BEV-production slowdown by letter to Biden

Tesla Cybertruck is here: electric truck will start at $60,990 and get up to 340 miles of range—The Verge

Tesla Cybertruck delivery event: Everything Elon revealed about the EV pickup | TechCrunch

Tesla’s Cybertruck feels like an SUV; price, lower driving range upset some | Reuters

Tesla stock slides after Cybertruck launch

Tesla Cybertruck doesn’t stack up against Ford, GM, and Rivian. Its Stock Is...

Out of Spec Dave visits a few days before it catches fire,


Fire Rips Through Tesla Science Center On LI: 'So Much History' (msn.com)

It is not looking good for Toyota's all-solid-state battery (ASSB).

They just announced that it won't be until 2030 when you can expect them in actual production cars and only on a small scale then (10,000 limited-production vehicles).

They announced their partnership with Idemitsu to manufacture their ASSBs.

They use a sulfide powder for the solid electrolyte like Solid Power does, which is coated as a slurry and then cooked. The rest of the battery is the same as in a conventional lithium-ion battery minus the liquid electrolyte and porous-membrane separator, using a carbon (with some silicon) anode and an NMC etc. cathode.

The main problem with the ASSB is durability (cycle life). As the solid-state cells expand (during charging) and contract (during discharging), the solid electrolyte between the anode and the cathode tends to crack and ruin the battery. To circumvent the problem, high externally applied pressures and even high temperatures are often necessary, which could...

Safety last?

Tesla workers report explosions, concussions, and grisly robot injuries at Texas factory—The Verge

Various factors, such as Toyota's intentional manipulation of supply, high gas prices, canceling of federal, state, and local credits, high base MSRP for Gen 5, dealer greed, etc. turned Toyota Prius Prime from most affordable into most unaffordable mainstream car in America.

Six new mainstream cars now priced out of reach for the average buyer | Carscoops

Greedy Toyota dealers make Prius Prime a budget-busting bet for buyers | Carscoops

Toyota’s lobbying is hurting public health and our climate - Public Citizen

As things stand now our 2022 Prius will be our first and last Toyota. If we had realized this when we bought it. We wouldn’t have even looked at a Toyota.

Now it is time to trade in your BEV for a Porsche Taycan.

A used Porsche Taycan BEV is a screaming deal

Edmunds EV-charging test: How fast does each EV charge? | Edmunds

Toyota Prius Wins 2024 MotorTrend Car of the Year

Link to Motor Trend:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/toyota-prius-hybrid-2024-car-of-the-year/

Well this is kind of embarrassing. Out in California Central Valley there are nearly 100 stalls, & it can charge a lot of cars simultaneously. But sometimes that power source is diesel. Yikes

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/09/30/largest-ev-charging-station-in-the-world-uses-diesel-powered-generators/

EDIT
reading some of the author's other articles there seems to be giantic amount of dissonance between him & Musk so it may be that this information is dated. Especially since some of the supercharger Network now has battery backups
.

• Second Toyota Crown Model Adds Distinctive Crossover SUV to US Lineup
• Exclusively Equipped with Hybrid Powertrain with Impressive 243 HP, 36 MPG Comb. and AWD Standard
• Stylish Exterior with Monochromatic Grille, Sleek Design, and Available 21-inch Wheels
• Premium Interior with Soft Touch Materials, Available Leather-trimmed Seating, and Panoramic Glass Roof
• Quiet Cabin with Fold Flat Second Row and 6.5-foot Long Cargo Area
• 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Standard

Exclusively equipped with the Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) powertrain with On-Demand All Wheel Drive (AWD) standard, the Crown Signia will be available in XLE and Limited grades and brings refined style and impeccable comfort in a package that’s sure to turn heads. Its sleek cabin offers upscale comfort with available textured leather-trimmed seating, elegant finishing touches like bronze-finished trim and color-matched, soft touch panels on...

Now it would be nice if charging stations were like this in the USA.