Featured Threads Archive

Arene debuts in Toyota’s all-new RAV4—Woven by Toyota

This is probably the biggest breakthrough by Toyota since they have developed the hybrid synergy drive. While some other companies like Tesla have also developed software-centric cars, Toyota, being conservative as it is, has the goal of eventually being the best in the world in this aspect.

Arene will also debut TSS 4.0, which is the first TSS to receive over-the-air updates (OTAs) during the life of the car.

It is possible NVDIA hardware might be used.



More on the all-new RAV4:

The all-new, all-EV (no gas-only models) RAV4 will go on sale in the fall, with several PHEV models. The PHEV models will have a 50-mile BEV range,...

I just saw a new lithium conversion kit for the old NIMH Prius cells the other day and was wondering if anyone here has heard of it before.

They’re only asking $1400 and I’m considering buying it but the lack of BMS makes me a little weary. I don’t know battery technology that well but I’m hoping someone here does.

The company is called MTG
BMW i3 Battery Replacement & Upgrade | Volkswagen E-glof/Renult Zoe/Nissan Leaf |MTG – Upgrade Your BMW i3/E-glof/Renult Zoe/Nissan Leaf Battery – More Power, Longer Range

Source: https://www.tesla.com/support/recall-cybertruck-inverter-replacement#:~:text=Inverter%20Replacement%20Recall-,Tesla%20has%20issued%20a%20voluntary%20recall%20on%20certain%20Model%20Year,MOSFET)%20in%20the%20drive%20inverter.

• Standard All-Wheel Drive with 375 hp combined system output
• Up-to 260 miles of manufacturer-estimated all-electric driving range with DC fast-charging times around 30 minutes* (10-80% charge under ideal conditions)
• Equipped with North American Charging System (NACS) port for access to thousands of DC fast charging stations, will also have the convenience of Plug & Charge capability
• Ample utility with generous rear cargo area, 8.3-inch ground clearance, Panoramic View Monitor with Multi-Terrain Monitor, and 3,500-pound towing capacity
• Well-equipped interior with standard SofTex-trimmed seating, 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, dual wireless Qi charging, ambient lighting and more
• Premium Package adds JBL Premium Audio, ventilated front seats with memory driver’s seat, panoramic moonroof, front radiant heaters, and more

US: Toyota Announces Powerful...

• All-new, Toyota C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle with 338 combined system net hp and a manufacturer-estimated all electric driving range rating of up to 290-miles*
• Premium interior and easy access rear cargo area for comfort, convenience and utility
• DC fast-charging capability with access to thousands of Level Three charging stations nationwide for a 10-80% charge in around 30 minutes under ideal conditions
• Coupe-like SUV profile with eye-catching design and a fun-to-drive character with standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
• Built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, with chassis tuning that compliments its spirited output
• Modern interior with soft touch materials, customizable lighting, and 14-inch touchscreen
• Compact crossover utility with 60/40-fold flat seats and up-to 25.4-cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
• Expected arrival at U.S. Toyota dealerships in 2026

US:...

• Up to 314 miles of manufacturer-estimated range (XLE, FWD Plus model), an increase of 25% over the outgoing model (previously rated at 252 miles)
• Equipped with North American Charging System (NACS) port for access to thousands of DC fast charging stations, will also have the convenience of Plug & Charge capability
• Up-to 50% more horsepower, with 338 combined system net hp on AWD models, up from 214 combined system net hp on prior AWD model
• Restyled exterior, with front-end design changes to fascia and lighting, with newly available color-matched overfenders for a sleeker look
• New instrument panel design with a larger 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and customizable ambient lighting
• Available in XLE and Limited grades, both in a choice of Front- or All-Wheel Drive (FWD or AWD)

Toyota bZ All Electric SUV Adds Range, Charging,...

https://insideevs.com/news/758587/volvo-trucks-sales-tesla-semi/

I hope the Tesla semi isn't be coming like the Toyota fuel cell car, where they promise tens of thousands to be on the road really quickly and then it becomes a goose egg.
.

Scientists make surprising finding that all electric vehicle drivers should hear: 'Has been largely overlooked until now'

South Korean scientists decided to study the process of charge depletion in batteries. Surprising them were the effects of running your battery down to near depletion and found damage to the cathode. The damage is caused by oxygen combining to lithium, forming lithium oxide, at around 3 volts. This then causes the cell to swell when interacting with the electrolyte. This effect seems to be exacerbated in nickel enriched lithium batteries, like NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) or NCA (Nickel Cobalt Aluminum) more so than others, like LMO (Lithium Manganese Oxide) or LFP (LiFePO4 - Lithium iron phosphate).

For those who want details, like me or @bwilson4web here’s the original study:...

What is that tune? FOUND IT!
Sorcerer's Apprentice - Fantasia | Disney Video

YouTube version:


Bob Wilson

A proposal in the big bill is to start annual federal fees on cars. $200 for EVs, $100 for hybrids, and $20 on all others. The last won't start until 2031, but the rest are immediate.

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/04/29/congress/house-transportation-reconciliation-text-gas-tax-00315222

Previous thread on this topic was bloated, so started new.
Death to EV bills | PriusChat

https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyotas-chairman-shared-this-controversial-opinion-about-ev-sports-cars

Bare-bones Slate EV pickup under US$20,000 with rebates - Reviews | Driving

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64564869/2027-slate-truck-revealed/

@Mendel Leisk Not even a touchscreen!

Source: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-new-automated-vehicle-framework

I'm speculating that the challenge of fitting a battery of sufficient capacity inside a Prius will eventually be met with structural batteries:


Battery improvements have been incremental and small, therefore I think it will be a long time before we see batteries with a similar energy density equivalent to combustible fuels.

Source:

• pulse width modulated heating
• 1 MW peak charging rate
• refrigerant cooling

This brings EV charging into the 5 minute range. So long Tesla lead.

Bob Wilson

Wow!
Who saw this coming?



Full details here:
Warren Buffett Acquires Elon Musk's Tesla for $1 Trillion in Cash | GOBankingRates

Mike

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/dude-wheres-my-car-toyota-buyers-face-long-waits-amid-hybrid-boom-2025-03-31/

Source:


My first car was a 1966 VW MicroBus with a 1500 cc, air cooled engine and 6 V battery. Sad to say, the engine overheated when I was over seas and I got to rebuild it in a week. Nothing like taking a broken engine apart, fixing it, and putting it back together again to make you appreciate VW when they do the job right. That is what Munro found with the VW motor.

This VW motor is optimized for power in a small package with strong torque and low noise. It has a very efficient drive train and other than a few 'opps' (my MicroBus also had some,) clearly superior design where it counts. I don't know if they make them in Chattanooga but if not, I won't have to worry about getting one . . . unless some arrived before we taxed ourselves out of the VW market.

My recent 1,140 mi trip in a 2017 BMW i3-REx has demonstrated that absence of Full Self Driving is not a hard requirement. The cost mile of the 2017 BMW i3-REx compares equal to my 2019...

Source:


Professor Kelly and Munro do similar things, take cars apart. Munto to calculate the cost of parts and labor to make a car. Kelly does it to teach mechanics how to take it apart and it back in working order.

This 2024 traction battery is much improved over the one in my former, 2017 Prius Prime. Given what I've learned from Munro, it could be designed better but there have been much worse.

• BEST
  • Direct thermal management instead of air flow
  • Conformal underbody part
  • Direct refrigerant for cell cooling
• COULD BE BETTER
  • Colocate all possible power electronics with the battery
  • Even number of modules so all power terminals on one end
  • Cooling from a single spot leads to thermal gradients inside the cells

The Toyota lead engineer needs to hold a 'conference' with everyone designing, making, and fixing the battery with this goal:

• Reduce parts count

Bob Wilson

Source:


Both of my cars were bought after a Munro review like this and I'm thinking about replacing the 2017 BMW i3-REx. It is still doing what I want and there are more things to learn about the newest Model Y but I had found a 2022 Model Y for what had been a good price. I will take a look at it next week.

This morning, I got a note from the seller and I responded:


Bob Wilson