Toyota Shows Distain: Even for their Own RAV4-EV

The MITI LEV programs were collaborative research and development efforts between the Japanese government and the auto companies. One of the conclusions from this program was that BEVs would only be successful as small, short range city cars.

But the LEV program is long done. The BEVs produced and even sold under it used lead acid batteries. The better cars had NiMH. The small, short range BEV conclusion is one that doesn't hold with the technologies available now. Yet it seems to permeate Toyota's group think when it comes to BEVs. In all fairness, from what I've learned about Japan's electric infrastructure with the Prime, this might be the case for Japan, but Japan is a small part of the global car market.

If the iQ EV had gone on actual sale, it likely would have cost as much as the iMiEV, but had half the EPA range. Now an Aygo BEV might be a successful car for Europe, but it doesn't sound like Toyota will be selling it near the ICE Aygo's price. Their plans to make it affordable for individuals sound like they are more financial than technological; using new lease schemes and car time sharing.

Many people would like to tow with any midsize to small car. Small utility trailers for home projects, jet skis, and smaller boats aren't that heavy. I've seen plenty of Honda Goldwings towing a small trailer along 95.

A friend's boat has a trailer weight of 1600 to 1700 pounds. In the UK, my Sonic can tow that without worry about the warranty and insurance. Here I can't even tow a canoe without that concern. That boat is just outside the gen4's tow rating in Europe, but Toyota warns against putting a hitch onto the car for a bike rack in the US.

 

A tow package would be a perfect 'port option' if Toyota would (could) wake up and smell the dollars.

Bob Wilson

 

The aroma is stronger from the truck dollars.

 

We have that and a whole wierd scheme of regulation that says you will get sued by some idiot if you say a car can tow. Its probably one reason why nice things are so expensive.

I'd much rather see a warning - don't tow over X lbs and don't tow in bad weather. If you do and get in an accident its your own fault.

 

Thanks! I posted this reply:

In May, I paid $29.9 (USA) for a used, 2014 BMW i3-REx with warranty to January 2019. It had 6,440 miles when I bought it and just passed 16,400 miles, five months later. This includes 1,700 miles only the highway with a 463 miles delivery drive and 1,400 miles trip to Oklahoma and back.

The BMW i3-REx has 168 hp (225 kw) weighing 2,900 lbs (1,318 kg), a nice pocket rocket.

Lexus has nothing that competes and that remains a hard fact they either ignore or worse, try to cheat their future customers. Shades of VW cheat-diesel, this commercial pretty well shows they don't have a clue.
​

Bob Wilson

 

it's not toyota, it's lexus. autonomous division. know your market and audience.

 

This is the type of desperation like GM's Lutz before the bankruptcy. Unable or unwilling to compete, they 'ran down' the Prius only to fail.

The subsequent fall off of efficient car sales in September 2013 had NOTHING to do with the wasted lies and misrepresentations funded and supported by the gasser industry. Something did happen in September 2013 but no one has really figured it out.

Bob Wilson

 

I've heard of some BEV users (friends of mine) in dispute of a charging spot here in Portugal. There aren't many BEVs around and it is already happening those queues...or someother times there's a gasser parked in.

 

bev on bev crime? no way! they're perfect people.

 

Apparently not. BEV >>> PHEV at the recharge spot. I can understand to a point that the phev can use gas and doesn't NEED the charge, but then a BEV will take much longer at that spot denying multiple phevs from topping off. I say electric is electric and they should both get equal consideration.

 

Winter has come to Portugal.

 

Actually, most BEVs charge at 6.6 kW as opposed to PHEVs which charge at 3.3 kW, so the PHEVs take much longer at that spot to recharge the same electric range.

 

Yes for the same range, but 25 miles vs 200 the phev should be done in a shorter time, right?

 

Thirty miles. In UK your be lucky to find another free charging point in that distance outside London, or a big city!

 

In my experience, it's generally a moot point as many people leave their cars plugged in as long as they are running their errand and likely don't need the charge in the first place. I agree that if you are actively charging, you have a right to be there (regardless of vehicle type). But once it's done, the spot should be opened up for the next person right away, not as soon as convenient. I would really like to see PHEVs start offering 6.6kW to increase charge turnover times.

 

Last weekend I was talking to a guy who has a volt. When his company had free charging he would charge his car (12 chargers at work), but then they started charging $2/hr, and he's using a little gas. He's going to install 240 in his garage now so he can go out at night and his volt is recharged. ;-)

 

My five month, BMW i3-REx experience re-enforces this observation. Having an L2 (3A, 240VAC) charger converts the car from a parasite to a practical, car. I delivered my L2 hardware to a local business, completing the A-B-A test protocol and am reminded of:

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness,
starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking
for an angry fix, (or L2 charger)​

There is no moral superiority when we parasite at businesses we otherwise would never visit. I went to Whole Foods for lunch only because of their L2 chargers, not because I can't find club soda, a good and healthy lunch or other businesses of value. Even the next door to Whole Foods, tequila bar only has a good drink but nothing I would order if I didn't starve for a charge.

Well I got home at 2 PM, greeted my wife and her dogs with 81% SOC. Plugged into the L1 charger, I calculated it would take 5 hours and sure enough at 6:30 PM, the car is fully charged. When I got up from my nap at 5 PM, I used the remaining time to make dinner and catch up on the news and PriusChat.

So I'm about to head over to Costco and back to 5-Points for groceries. Then the dogs and I will head over to some L2 chargers at Bridgestreet and we'll walk 1/4 mile to a favorite, late-night bar. With the car charged, I'll arrive home with ~90% SOC that will be handled in 2.5 hours on the L1 charger.

Bob Wilson

 

it's an illness, i'm sure there's a 10 step program somewhere. i don't usually bypass the free samples inside though.