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If you compare the EPA mpge numbers for the Toyota Prius Prime vs. the most efficient Tesla Model 3 trims, you will see that they are about the same—Prius Prime itself having 133 mpge with similar numbers for the Model 3. However, how could this be given that the Prius Prime is a much lighter car that runs on much skinnier tires? Well, it isn't. The Tesla Model 3 has a lot lower mpge than the Prius Prime, but they somehow managed to find a way to overstate their mpge values, while virtually all other manufacturers conservatively understate them. The real-world mpge of Prius Prime vs. Tesla Model 3 is probably more like 3 to 2 rather than anywhere near being equal.

The way the range and mpge values work is that they are self-reported by the manufacturers to the EPA. It is an honor system, and we know from the Volkswagen scandal that it could be exploited. Edmunds tested the actual ranges for the EVs, and they found out that virtually all underestimate, many greatly, the real-world...

California recently announced a bold plan to outlaw the sale of anything but electric vehicles starting in 2035. That sounds OK, but what's this just released by CAISO, the organization that is in overall charge of electricity in California?

NEWS RELEASE
HEAT BULLETIN
Aug. 30, 2022

During a Flex Alert, consumers are urged to reduce energy use from 4-9 p.m. when the
system is most stressed because demand for electricity remains high and there is less
solar energy available. The top three conservation actions are to set thermostats to 78
degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles,

So they want you to buy electric cars, but you can't charge them when it's hot...

https://motorillustrated.com/canada-will-need-200000-ev-charging-stations-by-2030/103252/

Motor Illustrated reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources has determined that Canada will need 200,000 EV Charging station by 2030 for a cost of $20 billion.

Supposedly there are 16,640 EV chargers in Canada now with another 84,500 planned by 2027. They are trying to get at least 1 EV charger for 24 EVs.

Hmmm, that means with a population of slightly over 38M then by extrapolation the US with it’s population of slightly over 331M will need close to 2,000,000.


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I posted it here because the Crown might be the next model so it may affect North America.

https://alexonautos.com/toyota-bz3-sedan-uncovered-in-china/

I don't think so.
Toyota says there’s no EV demand – maybe try selling one the wheels stay on? (electrek.co)

All new cars to be sold in California will be required to be a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) by the 2035 model year. ZEV typically means plug-in all-electric EVs and non-plug-in hydrogen fuel cell EVs; therefore, this regulation will prohibit all new plug-in and non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and nonhybrid vehicles with an internal combustion engine by 2035. The regulation does not affect used vehicles. Here is the timeline:

model year—percentage requirement

2026—35%
2027—43%
2028—51%
2029—59%
2030—68%
2031—76%
2032—82%
2033—88%
2034—94%
2035 & subsequent—100%

Here is the full regulation:

Final regulation order for Section 1962.4 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) standards for 2026 and subsequent model-year passenger cars and light-duty trucks

My doctor says his new BMW PHEV doesn't seem to have "CRG" mode and only charges with cord.
Can this be true?
What is story on other PHEV?
"CRG" is said to a "hidden feature" (but its my fave) and none of the idiots at several Toyota dealerships knew it existed even when asked directly.
I can't believe Toyota could have some Patent because many of the very first cars were fully EV only, so I'm sure every variation of EV and PHEV, etc was Patented by 1900. IIRC there were golf carts that were basically PHEV with both ICE and forklift battery with the idea you could operate unlimited or keep it quiet if golf decorum required it....but don't see any such rig for current sale. Many gas powered carts seem to have electric starter motor simply connected to ICE and you go from stop to forward and it starts as EV then ICE kicks in. Maybe its a centrifugal clutch like moped, but connected going the other way.

Source:
What Are the Benefits of Switching from Gasoline-Powered Cars and Trucks to Electric? - Union of Concerned Scientists

How Tesla lost the race for affordable EVs to an unexpected rival

Another plug-in hybrid has outsold the RAV4 Prime by a staggering 89% for the 1st half of 2022.

1 Plug-In Hybrid Outsold the Toyota RAV4 Prime to Become the Best-Selling Plug-In Hybrid of 2022 (So Far)

Yep, it’s the Stelantis Group Jeep Wrangler 4xe that sold over 19,000 units in the first half of 2022 compared to a little over 10,000 units for Toyota RAV4 Prime. Probably should point out that Toyota has been hampered by parts shortages.

What else is staggering is the gulf of differences between the 2 competitors. The first is price, the Wrangler 4xe starts at $54,765 while the RAV4 Prime starts at $40,300. The Jeep get 21 miles of EV only range from its 17 kWh battery for a MPGe rating of 49. The RAV4 Prime gets 42 miles EV only driving from the 18 kWh battery at 94 MPGe. When the EV cuts out the gas engine gets 20 mpg for the Jeep...

According to CarBuzz, Lexus has trademarked RZ 300e. Reportedly a lower powered version of the RZ 450e and, possibly, cheaper version.

Lexus Plotting Cheaper RZ300e Electric Crossover | CarBuzz

May even come available as both FWD and AWD, but they are guessing the AWD version most definitely with a similar drive train as the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X AWD. So far it hasn't been filed in the US or Canadian markets that I know of.

Toyota unit falsified emissions data from at least 2003, probe finds | Reuters

a major affiliate of Toyota falsified emissions data.

Where can I get a new battery besides going to dealer?

Quoted from here since the official information is terrible with spelling errors

https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/us-energy-bill-agreement-ev-credit-details-2nd-7-28-update-11-06am-et.44941/

• Effective as of December 31, 2021 (backdated, appears to only apply to the old law provisions)
  • Contracts written in 2022 can still be capitalized in 2023 under old law.
• GM vehicles now qualify again, per-OEM limits removed (appears to begin on 1/1/23)
• Now a refund instead of a credit (everyone gets back full regardless of what you pay in Federal taxes) This can be applied at time of sale, big point
• Cars in contract as of the signing of the bill can use old bill (so if you have an EQS on order and make...

Siemens and Philadelphia-based ConnectDER have come with a kind of crazy new way to set you up with an EV charger without having to screw around with the breaker box and running wires. You pull the electric meter off your house, plug their meter collar into the meter pan (The place where your meter mounts on your house) and plug the meter on top of it. Boom, your done. No other wiring required. Could be great if it works:

https://electrek.co/2022/07/27/siemens-home-ev-charger-adapter/

We have a 2015 Prius Four with about 45K miles in excellent condition. Edmunds says Carvana is offering me $19K (but will the $19K still be the price when/if I contact them?). With a new Prius XLE selling for about $33K (and there is one -- just one -- at the local dealership), is it worth keeping the 2015 one?

BTW, we paid only $16,249 for the Prius Four in 2018.

Toyota's diesel line-up in Western Europe to be made compatible with HVO100 diesel fuel

Scattered across Europe are about 1000 pumps with HVO100 renewable diesel. Not the petroleum kind either.

Details are starting to come out for the new Blazer EV. First, it is not a conversion of the ICE model, but built on a new platform using the Ultium suite.

• Starting price at $45k to $67k
  
• Four trims(1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS) with ranges from 247 to 320 miles
• The mid trims become available next summer, with the SS soon after, and 1LT in 2024
• AWD standard on SS, and optional for 2LT and RS
• RS has choice of FWD or RWD standard
• 11.5kW charging on Level 2 AC and 190kW with DC
• No start button like a Tesla

https://electrek.co/2022/07/18/2024-chevy-blazer-ev/
The Chevy Blazer EV will be GM's new mass-market electric SUV - CNN
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV: What We Know So Far

Toyota Crown Returns to the US with Bold Style and New Hybrid Max Powertrain - Toyota USA Newsroom

Sedan with a standard 2.5L Toyota Hybrid System, AWD or the Hybrid Max 2.4L Turbo producing 360 HP. All with the new bipolar NiMH battery.

This takes the place of the outgoing Toyota Avalon.

The Japanese version get a Crown Crossover.

World Premiere of the All-New Crown Series | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website


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