Mazda and Subaru to build plug-ins

well, it seems that most of the people here, in non carb states who have battery problems between the two warranties, see it as a good thing. and also the people in carb states.

 

As you point out, they aren't being forced to do anything. I will point out that isn't something CARB is springing on them out of the blue. I recently posted a 2012 draft of the ZEV regulations somewhere around here. The basic gist was that the auto makers had to sell a certain percentage of "ZEV" cars in California. The percentage started at 10% or lower, and went up 1% or so a year. PZEV, AT-PZEV, and TZEV cars count towards that "ZEV" percentage.

In time, those would not meet the requirements alone though, and the company would have to make a true ZEV car; either a BEV or FCV. Mazda, Subaru, and others have argued that making a ZEV car is too much of a burden for smaller companies. CARB agreed, but only relaxed the regulations part way. So they have to make a PHV, or buy ZEV credits from someone else. Actually, the article says PHV, but it might actually be a TZEV car. In which case, Mazda already has one. TZEV covers PHVs and ICEVs that burn hydrogen. While the RX-8 is no more, Mazda was also making a a dual-fuel gasoline/hydrogen Mazda5 for Japan.

Seeing it as a good thing doesn't make it so. The 8yr/100k mile warranty is a federal one, and they had to meet that in order to sell in the country. The 10yr/150k mile one may not have lead to the companies making the system more reliable. That may have already been their design goal to ensure passing the federal limits. In which case, all the CARB warranty did was make the hybrid makers budget more for warranty repairs, which lead to increasing the hybrids' price tag.

It was good in inspiring buyer confidence in the new technology though. Like Hyundai/Kai's 10yr/100k bumper to bumper warranty from the early '90s, it helped increase sales. But that Hyundai warranty is no longer truly bumper to bumper, and it might be time to relax the CARB hybrid warranty. The technology is proven at this point, and reducing the warranty may lead to a reduction of the hybrid premium, which is the real barrier to sales.

 

a worthy hypothesis, how to prove it? offer lower cost in non carb states? choice often creates conflict.

would i buy a new car or anything with no warranty for x dollars off the price? maybe. it's not usually (ever?) an option. look at the agonizing people do over extended warranties.

 

"Both companies have signed technology-sharing agreements with Toyota that are widely interpreted to mean licensing of hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology.

In other words, the next Prius plug-in is key not only for Toyota's substantial California sales, but also to keeping Mazda and Subaru to stay legal in California starting in 2018."

Why Next Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Is So Important: CA Laws

 

Is this in reference to Volvo bringing a PHEV to market?
We aren't getting the XC60 PHEV but a XC90 one. This article isn't too clear, but it sounds like the US will get a gas version rather than the diesel. Entry Level Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV Priced at $68,000 For US Market

 

Ahh, an a non-plug diesel hybrid.
But not for the US.

 

okay by me.

 

....hard one...obviously CARB gets credit for getting cars cleaner burning. Although I give Toyota credit there too re: Prius. Now it feels a little like CA is going its own way on a path maybe less universally important.

 

Quite seriously, I have a 1996 Miata and would be interested if anyone has done an electric conversion . The car is relatively low mass and would not require a big motor, so the 500e drivetrain might just work. Are you going to try that conversion?

 

Good!

If there's one thing that the EV community desperately needs is a little more Mazda in their DNA!