Featured Threads Archive

Out of Spec Dave visits a few days before it catches fire,


Fire Rips Through Tesla Science Center On LI: 'So Much History' (msn.com)

It is not looking good for Toyota's all-solid-state battery (ASSB).

They just announced that it won't be until 2030 when you can expect them in actual production cars and only on a small scale then (10,000 limited-production vehicles).

They announced their partnership with Idemitsu to manufacture their ASSBs.

They use a sulfide powder for the solid electrolyte like Solid Power does, which is coated as a slurry and then cooked. The rest of the battery is the same as in a conventional lithium-ion battery minus the liquid electrolyte and porous-membrane separator, using a carbon (with some silicon) anode and an NMC etc. cathode.

The main problem with the ASSB is durability (cycle life). As the solid-state cells expand (during charging) and contract (during discharging), the solid electrolyte between the anode and the cathode tends to crack and ruin the battery. To circumvent the problem, high externally applied pressures and even high temperatures are often necessary, which could...

Safety last?

Tesla workers report explosions, concussions, and grisly robot injuries at Texas factory—The Verge

Various factors, such as Toyota's intentional manipulation of supply, high gas prices, canceling of federal, state, and local credits, high base MSRP for Gen 5, dealer greed, etc. turned Toyota Prius Prime from most affordable into most unaffordable mainstream car in America.

Six new mainstream cars now priced out of reach for the average buyer | Carscoops

Greedy Toyota dealers make Prius Prime a budget-busting bet for buyers | Carscoops

Toyota’s lobbying is hurting public health and our climate - Public Citizen

As things stand now our 2022 Prius will be our first and last Toyota. If we had realized this when we bought it. We wouldn’t have even looked at a Toyota.

Now it is time to trade in your BEV for a Porsche Taycan.

A used Porsche Taycan BEV is a screaming deal

Edmunds EV-charging test: How fast does each EV charge? | Edmunds

Toyota Prius Wins 2024 MotorTrend Car of the Year

Link to Motor Trend:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/toyota-prius-hybrid-2024-car-of-the-year/

Well this is kind of embarrassing. Out in California Central Valley there are nearly 100 stalls, & it can charge a lot of cars simultaneously. But sometimes that power source is diesel. Yikes

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/09/30/largest-ev-charging-station-in-the-world-uses-diesel-powered-generators/

EDIT
reading some of the author's other articles there seems to be giantic amount of dissonance between him & Musk so it may be that this information is dated. Especially since some of the supercharger Network now has battery backups
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• Second Toyota Crown Model Adds Distinctive Crossover SUV to US Lineup
• Exclusively Equipped with Hybrid Powertrain with Impressive 243 HP, 36 MPG Comb. and AWD Standard
• Stylish Exterior with Monochromatic Grille, Sleek Design, and Available 21-inch Wheels
• Premium Interior with Soft Touch Materials, Available Leather-trimmed Seating, and Panoramic Glass Roof
• Quiet Cabin with Fold Flat Second Row and 6.5-foot Long Cargo Area
• 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Standard

Exclusively equipped with the Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) powertrain with On-Demand All Wheel Drive (AWD) standard, the Crown Signia will be available in XLE and Limited grades and brings refined style and impeccable comfort in a package that’s sure to turn heads. Its sleek cabin offers upscale comfort with available textured leather-trimmed seating, elegant finishing touches like bronze-finished trim and color-matched, soft touch panels on...

Now it would be nice if charging stations were like this in the USA.

Are Car Dealers Slowing the Adoption of Electric Vehicles? - Slashdot

In 2012 after a particularly inaccurate Prius review, I dropped our Consumer Reports (CR) subscription. Randomly, I scan newsstand copies, mostly ignored but this time, I paid $16.34 to buy one:

About this reviewer, a retired engineer who has owned a 2003, 2010 Prius, 2017 Prius Prime, 2014 and currently a 2017 BMW i3-REx, and 2019 Tesla Model 3. So these will be the vehicles I will check in this issue:

• pp 8-9 Insurance - I had a recent claim for a damaged door on my recently purchased 2017. I had to pay $1,300 to have it repaired. But Farmers is not even listed in CR. I was aware of USAA and will see about switching both car and house insurance. I think Farmers costs too much for a poorly handled claim.
• pp 13 Tires - Looking for low rolling resistance, "Firestone All Season" tires are listed for $104. But Tire Rack shows multiple models and all were listed closer to $200. Another, "Pirelli Cinturato P7 All...

If you really, truly need a truck, this one is compelling. It's a series hybrid with 145 mile EV range, and plenty of extra features. There is also a BEV model, but the PHEV addresses the EV drawbacks for those that actually use a truck as a truck.

https://www.cleanmpg.com/community/index.php?threads/57160/

People Don't Realize How Much of a Marvel of Engineering The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime Truly Is | Torque News

@bwilson4web, I am guessing that you already have most of these gadgets installed on your Tesla Model 3 and BMW i3.

Aftermarket trailer-hitch-mounted gasoline range extenders for EVs: silly or brilliant?—The Autopian

Source: https://www.autonews.com/cars-concepts/toyota-develops-tech-make-evs-more-fun-drive?utm_source=dont-miss&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20231103&utm_content=hero-readmore

From the EPA 'way back' machine:


<GRINS>

Bob Wilson