Featured Threads Archive

A computer controlled, two-stroke engine with integral generator could provide either emergency charging or range extension for EVs:


As my ultimately unreplaceable Tesla battery ages, it becomes more attractive to have a lightweight trailer with a 25 kW, flex-fuel, generator. Of course this assumes available and affordable fuel.

Bob Wilson

Finally, the Gen 6 RAV4 PHEV, the PHEV version of Toyota’s first take on a software-defined vehicle (SDV), will start hitting dealer lots next month, in April. It is also the first Toyota to feature TSS 4.0, which will be further upgradeable through over-the-air software updates.

It is over $3,000 cheaper than the Gen 5 RAV4 PHEV. It looks like Toyota has finally figured out how to make EV batteries that aren't astronomically expensive.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is less expensive than before | Car and Driver

NPR: How long do electric vehicle batteries actually last?

... As the fleet of EVs on the road ages, new data pooled from tens of thousands of vehicles is showing those batteries are lasting longer than expected. ...

...

At auto auctions, a lot of healthy batteries
... "We were expecting battery health to be experiencing mass degradation over the first one to three years of owning a vehicle," George says. "What we have seen, though, is that these 2, 3, 4-year-old off-lease cars that are coming back have battery health scores well upwards of 95%."

Recurrent's data also shows that cars from most major brands retain 95% or more of their expected range after 3 years, thanks in part to software and...

He missed Alabama with our $300 tag fee. But $0.12/kWh residential rate ain’t bad. Could do with more fast DC and L2 chargers but twice shat we had in 2018.

Bob Wilson

“It could be very bad for... automotive, which depend on cheap memory chips."

AI fuels memory chip shortage that could hit phones and cars CNBC

Source:
Daily Automotive News

Scroll down to "SHOW TRANSCRIPT" and click to find:

Bob Wilson

I just ran into this car while surfing. Apparently this car has been around for a while. I'm only referencing this because of the recent demise of the Toyota Mirai - mainly the lost of convenient hydrogen stations. Thank you again Shell oil..... Used Toyota Mirai for Sale in Sacramento, CA (with Photos) - CARFAX

Don't know how well they'll sell, if you can't refuel it.

Experimental Program in Massachusetts to start using EVs to support the grid when production is down. "Bi-directional EV chargers will turn vehicles into energy storage assets, advancing grid reliability and lowering energy costs for customers." Article doesn't seem to say what happens if you come outside to go to work and your car's been too busy supporting the grid to have charged itself up. Lots of details to be worked out, concept is good though.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Participants for Groundbreaking Vehicle-to-Everything Program | MassCEC

Finance chief Kenta Don named CEO to deal with tariffs and competition from China.
toyota-ceo-koji-sato-to-step-down-and-be-replaced-by-cfo-kenta-kon-profit-forecast.html

Source: - YouTube

• 2 hrs, 12 minutes - playback as fast as understandable
• Good summary of the issues

I opposed the "Bell the Hybrid" Act of 2011 and noticed a blind advocate attended the hearing. Sad to say, some total BS was heard in some of the questions. For example, one Senator claimed an Amazon weight defeats part of full self driving ... I know from personal experience that has not been true since 2022.

I look forward to adding a link to the written transcript so everyone can quickly scan and comment. No, I am not going to substitute for the transcript. Rather I wanted to share the source.

Bob Wilson

Source: Daily Automotive News

Toyota has made progress on its all-solid-state batteries with the groundbreaking of its Idemitsu plant for its sulfide-based solid-state electrolyte. They expect limited production in 2027 or 2028.

@Salamander_King, what does that Japanese figure say? I see a 2030. I personally don’t expect Toyota to go mainstream on solid-state batteries before circa 2035.

Toyota partner Idemitsu breaks ground on all-solid-state EV battery plant

Back in the 2001-2010 era, VW diesel advocates would frequently come here to 'pick a fight' over their diesels versus our Prius. Then VW's "music" software turned out to be an emission fraud and nearly 500,000 were recalled and sent to large scrap heaps. Well Mazda wants the restart the war of words:


Engineering details missing from this sales (propaganda) piece:

• No regenerative braking - diesels stop by heating brake pads and disks whereas hybrids and EVs stuff that energy back into the battery. That is why they excel in City traffic, +95% of all miles.
• 100 times more moving and wearing out parts - from the engine to the tires, the diesel engine and required transmission have two orders of magnitude more moving parts that only frequent oil changes prevent from melting down.
• Toxic emissions - diesels produce huge amounts of SMOG and lung irritating NOx. Highly reactive, these require a catalytic converter that often...

I think it does not look like my 1985 Corolla LE anymore.

New Toyota Corolla is done playing the boring-sedan game | Carscoops

Elon Musk suggested that even the Model 3 and Model Y will be afterthoughts with the Cybercab robotaxi coming.

Tesla scraps Model S and Model X to build robots

The Bolt was announced it was going to be a limited production vehicle.

Now it announced when that production will end, in 2027.

Chevy Bolt Production Will End In 2027

This is huge news. Tesla cars will no longer come with any kind of automated driving system unless you subscribe to FSD (full self-driving) for $100 a month.

Tesla drops Autopilot in pivot to FSD subscription model in US, Canada

Source:


The battery report is on the web: The Lumafield Battery Quality Report

This goes a long way to explain the risks and variable performance found in "Project Farm:"


Bob Wilson

While not exactly related to EV's, the CEO of Tesla, who's also the founder of xAI, has recently been under the spotlight for using natural gas generators that didn't meet EPA standards. The EPA had to step in enforce a rule to prohibit the continued use of these generators. Concerns about poorer air quality in the area arise.

Musk's xAI faces tougher road expanding Memphis area after EPA update