Two tests of prototypes of the bZ4X came out in the British press yesterday. Toyota bZ4X prototype: we drive the long awaited BEV | CAR Magazine https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/toyota/bz4x It seems perfectly OK.
I have long speculated that replacing the Prius ICE with a bank of batteries would be an excellent economy car compared to the Bolt. But I have no Prius to do the experiment. Bob Wilson
DIY would run into the issue of where to put the batteries. Even Toyota could have issues there with the starting ground clearance, if the goal is over 200 miles in range. Not that a BEV needs that, but it is easier to sell at this time.
Toyota's commitment to prismatic cells meant they failed to make a tire sized and shaped battery to fit in the spare tire recess. What a waste of interior space. Add to that the use of air cooling ... Bob Wilson
I believe Toyota did have a battery that fit into that space. It just had the EV range of the PiP. Toyota didn't want to spend the funds or delay release to properly design a larger pack for the space. Air cooling doesn't help, but the C-max Energi lost less cargo space than the Prime with those same limitations.
Sorry, I made a mistake as this YouTube shows: I thought the Prime traction battery would have fit in the spare tire recess. The Prime body and battery need a redesign. Bob Wilson
We knew long ago that the battery fit flush in the cargo area. That original plan was scrapped when the final production-lock decision was made to increase capacity to deliver more range. The tradeoff meant it would sit higher, reducing cargo room in back and creating a void underneath. It was interesting to see that happen, since the reverse was done with the prior generation. Remember how the 2010 mule had a 5.2 kWh capacity, then the 2012 rollout had a 4.4 kWh?
When auto prices are generally rising, why is the bZ4X's lease price being reduced in its home market? Just inflation in everything making leases harder to afford? Japanese aversion to electricity powering anything? Or the car itself? Toyota struggles with lack of demand for their newest EV in Japan but don't read the comments. Worse than political ads.
It could simply be to get back on schedule. If you want to collect real-world data and that plan was put on hold for 5 months, lowering the price would draw more interest... as well as help overcome whatever uncertainty the recall could have stirred.
