Featured Threads Archive

An app-based Prius rental went awry when their software apparently needed rebooting in order to permit the Prius to start and there was insufficient cellular signal to do that remotely. Apparently the renter was then warned to not turn it off because they had used their allotment of restarts.

Driver stranded after connected rental car can’t call home | Ars Technica

Tale on Twitter

Tesla's computer is about 6 years ahead of Toyota & VW.

Tesla teardown finds electronics 6 years ahead of Toyota and VW - Nikkei Asian Review

Sunday musings - let's suppose that BEVs were the predominant mode of transportation the last 100 years instead of petrol cars. Now a new thing called an internal combustion engine comes alongs. Would we be saying "What do you mean we have to stop by this thing called a gas station?" "This maintence plan is crazy: oil, spark plugs, timing belt."

1) Russell has just returned from a Toyota event in which he was driving their brand new AWD systems they are introducing in their sedans. 2) Tony and Jon B spent two days at the Chicago Auto Show and provide their impressions of what they saw. 3) Jon B provides speculative insights as to what […]

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Toyota Canada CEO defends Toyota's strategy

Motor Mouth: Toyota’s master plan for a low-carbon future | Driving

Here is the report from UCS:
https://blog.ucsusa.org/dave-reichmuth/are-electric-vehicles-really-better-for-the-climate-yes-heres-why

There are a number of interesting bullet points. Including that the grid continues to improve, the average EV continues to get more efficient.

Links to the full details of their methodology are available. They are using the governments GREET data.

I had a chance to test drive a Taycan Turbo (non-S) while my other car was in for service. Holy crap. The acceleration on this thing was unreal. Interior was much better quality than the Model S I sat in, and the exterior is subjectively better as well. I could definitely see myself in one of these, if I made 2-3x more money.

Check one out if you get the chance. Looks like there's finally a high-end competitor to the Tesla.

Electric-car frunks: Bonus space or wasted opportunity?

(Moderators, I posted this here because I believe it is relevant to all the exciting new smart cars. Please feel free to move to Tesla forum if you feel it proper)

Interesting article in Jalopnik:

Tesla Remotely Removes Autopilot Features From Customer's Used Tesla Without Any Notice [Updated]

Man buys Tesla with Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self Driving Capability included as part of the car. Tesla comes along later, decides that he somehow did not buy? Is not entitled? to these features and wirelessly removes $8,000 worth of value from the car. If they had sent men to do this physically that would be theft. Because they did it by radio it is, uh, somehow ok??

This appears to be the Tesla thread where the owner discusses the issue:...

1) Russell teases that he’s been invited to a Toyota AWD event. More details in a future show. 2) Simon Wecker, a guy in Berlin, Germany, pulled 90 cell phones – all with Google Maps active – through empty streets. Why? Because Google interpreted all that data to mean that the streets were congested with […]

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there was a collective yawn

tesla model 3 2019 sales up 14% over 2018

prius prime 2019 sales down 14% from 2018

everything and everyone else pretty much a disaster

Not sure what I think about these recent headlines about PHEVs emitting more emissions. From what I can tell they didn't use a PP in their studies. From article - "A study conducted by The Miles Consultancy, a fuel management firm, found that vehicles produced by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen often returned fuel consumption figures that are up to three times higher than advertised."

PHEVs consume 3 times more fuel if not charged

Full Page Reload at IEEE Spectrum

It is with the original founders, but not much is going on beyond raising capital at this point for a prototype.

Petrol and diesel ban: UK gives car industry 15 years to ditch fossil fuels - CNN

This should be interesting. One can only hope that the cost of purchasing an long distance EV will be more affordable in the coming years. And where does this speak on the US? My only draw back from going full EV is my limited budget. Hence why I have a car that is 7 years old and I still owe on it. They are many people that drive older cars just simply they can't afford a newer or used car. I'm sure this is the case for alot of people in the UK. What is everyone elses thoughts on this?

Ford Engineer Claims Tesla Has Big Issues: Shoddy Build, Unsafe Parts

Ford Engineer Claims Tesla Has Big Issues: Shoddy Build, Unsafe Parts

"TBH I love what Tesla has done for EVs. Simultaneously, their engineering is some of the worst shit I have ever seen in any industry. It's often horrifying. Their tech and engineering in battery and HV electronics and harnessing outpaces the industry by 5yrs easy, but their logistics and quality is so poor I'm astonished that the things have as few problems as they do.
I've torn down dozens of vehicles. When we opened our Model 3 when it first came out, it had loose screws dropped randomly in the chassis near sensitive components. The fit and finish of the alignment of panels is ridiculous. Their electronics frequently flaunt safety guidelines and do not meet UL regulations."

Here is the article :

Toyota-Panasonic venture to start EV battery development in April - Reuters

Who can say for certain - but according to at least one journalist, Tesla made out like bandits during the Super Bowl.

New electric car ads at the Super Bowl, Tesla gets publicity for free - Electrek

Title of this recent article is a little misleading. Article actually focuses on a wider spectrum of diverse groups. From article - "...high schoolers whose first vehicles are EVs. That generation may have no intention to ever drive an internal combustion engine vehicle."

Hybrids, Electric Vehicles, And The Black Community

Does the Toyota Mirai tease a sportier direction for the next Prius?



I’ll save you some time. No it won’t.

Also,