Featured Threads Archive

A recent 2,245 mile trip inspired benchmarking and generating this graph:

• Drive segments lines at 40, 60, and 80 mph intersect at zero with the charge curve.
  • Limited to 3 hours (180 minutes) of driving
  • Maximum 30 minutes of charging in 10, 20, and 30 minutes

A horizontal line from one of the three speed lines to the charge curve gives the total minutes for one driving segment, the sum of driving time and charging time. For example, driving at 80 mph for an hour:

• -60 minutes to drive 80 mph
• +8 minutes to charge for that distance at that speed
• 60 + 8 = 68 minutes for that segment
• 80 mi * (60 / 68) = 70.6 mph equivalent speed combined driving and charging

Driving at 80 mph for an hour with required charging, the block-to-block speed will at best be 70 mph or 70 / 80 = 87.5% of the EV driving speed. This leads to a more useful summary chart.

Here is a chart of block-to-block, speed...

Toyota Wowen City is Toyota’s software- and AI-driven products development and testing company. It is still in infant stages, but it is expanding. Its products will include TSS, Arene, and beyond.

12 new companies join Toyota Woven City as inventors | Corporate | Global newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation official global website

Nissan is producing a motor using an electro-magnet rotor which eliminates the need for permanent magnets:


The same as running an alternator as a motor, this is a brilliant solution as it also solves the problem of back-EMF that requires 'field weakening' in traditional motors. There is no free lunch as the rotor coils require power but the dynamic range of efficient power production is well worth it.

Bob Wilson

Source:

Seeking simple aesthetically good repair method that will halt deterioration

Innovative suggestions are appreciated

Source: Daily Automotive News


I have plenty of EVs but if you're on the fence, a relatively low cost to 'test the waters.'

Bob Wilson

The Mazda Skyactiv-Z engine will become commercially available in 2027, and when it does, it will power the new CX-5, which is coming in 2026. It is designed to work in hybrid systems. I doubt they will beat the thermal efficiency of the new super-lean-burn Toyota engines, which are also on the horizon and will be available for the Gen 6 Prius around 2027.

Where engine dreams meet possibilities: The SKYACTIV-Z challenge and Mazda’s internal-combustion-focused electrification strategy

The new hybrid powertrain with Skyactiv-Z will be available in the 2027 CX-5, even though the vehicle is going to see its major redesign the year before in 2026, with “Google built in.”

Mazda reveals all-new 2026 CX-5—Jul 10, 2025 | Mazda USA News

I'm a great fan of Sandy Munro and this is why:
- YouTube

It also explains why he isn't invited as often as he should be.

Bob Wilson

I am not in the market for a Model 3 as my 2019 Model 3 "ain't broke." However, the Model 3 looks to be a good deal:

• color impregnated body panels - no paint shop and resistant to ordinary key vandals
• 50 kWh pack - what I've got with plenty of range
• ordinary doors or "angled wings" - plenty of images of 4-door versions as well as the nutty version
• improved manufacturing - lower labor and fewer external suppliers

Source:


Following "Elon time," it did not arrive in the first half of 2025. I would not be surprised if December 31. But the lower cost should make the ending tax credits unimportant. Speculation, this may be a local minimum for TSLA stock ... not that I have any capital to invest.

I would observe that many excellent, used EVs exist if you want one for a cheap price. My universal recommendation, get one coming off lease and avoid 1st model year versions.

Source 2:...

September 30 is the deadline to get EV discounts. In fact, you will be able to stack up both the $7,000 Biden rebate and Trump loan-interest deduction if you get an EV by that last call, potentially leading to a $10,000 saving. So, act now if you want an EV.

The great American EV fire sale is about to begin

Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ offers car tax credits to add to Biden’s

I have 2013, 1.8 Prius, 2 months back I encountered the error of insufficient engine oil pressure, I checked the engine oil, it was ok. I get it checked by the mechanic and he told me that the engine oil needs to be changed and he will wash the engine too, after getting the engine washed and oil changed the car was running smoothly, bus during the last 2 months the same error just blinks and then goes off, now again when ever I accelerate the car " insufficient engine oil pressure error" appears and then disappears after 30 seconds to 1 minute, kindly advise what to do ? the engine oil is up to the mark , I have even replaced the Main computer of the car, but still the error appears, there is no leakage, dip stick shows full engine oil, I don't know what else is to be done now ? the car is running smoothly but I am just too sick of this error. kindly guide me

It looks like the big beautiful bill is becoming a reality.

It will make wind and solar energy installations very difficult.

It will end the EV and heat-pump rebates in a few month.

It will make the oil industry very happy.

It will wreak havoc on the poor.

Despite all the cuts, it will raise the budget deficit in never-before-seen amounts.

If you are in the market for an EV, get it before the rebates end in September.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/despite-last-minute-changes-senate-bill-deals-big-blow-renewable-energy-2025-07-01/

What the senate Republican ‘big beautiful’ bill means for your money

Some of the earliest Prius FUD was "batteries in landfills." I would reply, 'Where? I have a shovel.' The nickel and copper made those wonderfully valuable ... more concentrated than the ore they were made from. So this hour long video shows how batteries are industrially recycled:


Eventually, old cars are declared to be scrap and then reprocessed into materials for new cars. Compared to extracting a few percent from a ton of ore, these become 90%, extreme high grade ore.

Bob Wilson

Warranty costs increased from expected 8% to 12% in 2024. Cost drivers: more vehicles; EVs are costing 3x more in warranty; new models released, and; more expensive technology. It reminds me of when Toyota ate Detroit's poor quality.

Source:


He also shared "aging out" of the skilled shop workers who used to populate the service centers.

Bob Wilson

This.... is a 2006 Toyota Prius.




Less than 40,000 miles and it's currently up for bidding.

Came across this:

• Blue box - twice the USA density

Somehow this makes sense. Norway is an oil producer but they sell all they can. The others are fighting oil import costs and China, severe air pollution. A country that pays for the healthcare of their citizens is going to save money with less air pollution.

So I see the major drivers for EV adoption:

1. COST - both direct and indict health benefits
2. EFFICIENCY - saving the individual money to drive
3. "climate change" - not so much although it plays for some

Bob Wilson

So, whom are the Trump tariffs punishing? The People and companies of the US, as most people would have guessed. The Ford CEO is normally very Trump-friendly, but he has spoken up about how bad it has become for the US auto industry now. Let’s see how the United Auto Workers will feel about this, who were cheering about the tariffs.

Ford is forced to immediately shut down factories and halt car production as CEO admits “day-to-day” struggle for brand | The US Sun

Source:


Source_2: America’s EV Boom Suddenly Took Its First Hit After 14 Months Of Growth | Carscoops

Electrified Trailblazer: The Toyota Prius Celebrates 25 Years in the U.S. - Toyota USA Newsroom

The 2026 Prius celebrates its 25th anniversary in the US. Expect them to arrive about end of summer at most dealers.

• Four Grades Available: LE, XLE, Nightshade and Limited
• Fifth-Generation Toyota Hybrid System Has Impressive Fuel Economy with Up to a Manufacturer-Estimated 57 MPG Combined Rating on FWD Grades
• Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive Available on Each Grade
• Toyota Audio Multimedia with Available 12.3-inch Touchscreen
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Standard

	Trim	2026 MSRP	2025 MSRP	Difference
1	Prius LE	$28550	$27950	$600
2	Prius XLE	$33995	$31395	$2600
3	Prius Nightshade	$32800
4	Prius Limited	$35565	$34965	$600
5	Prius LE AWD	$29950	$29350	$600
6	Prius XLE AWD	$$33395	$32795	$600
7	Prius Nightshade AWD	$34200
8	Prius Limited...

LIDAR emits a strong laser beam that can damage other cameras in iPhones:



Bob Wilson