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Mazda talks about 200 km of EV range (using 35.5 KWhr battery) plus a rotary engine range extender that could run on either hydrogen or gasoline. This sounds like a good bridge to a zero-emissions general purpose car.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ev-sales-alberta-falls-behind-1.5230776

2020 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid spy shots

I’ll believe it when I see it.......on the lots.


iPad ? Pro

Android Auto will be onboard 2020 Toyota Camry models - Roadshow

Source: U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study | J.D. Power

Is there a backlash against Prius that I haven't heard about?

CNET has a site titled "Best Hybrids" that does not include a Prius for some reason.

Best Hybrids of 2019 - Roadshow



My 2009 Prius is still the best hybrid for me!

Year over year monthly sales of HEV/PHEV/FCV Toyota/Lexus vehicles were 31727 in July 2019, up 48.7% over July 2018 sales of 21334.

Toyota has released its global sales results for July 2019. Sales, Production, and Export Results | Sales, Production, and Export Results | Profile | Company | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

Obviously this is mostly due to the success of the new RAV4 Hybrid. In July, 13.1% of total Toyota/Lexus sales in North America were electrified (mostly hybrid). For 2018, the ratio was 8.9%.

Worldwide sales of Toyota/Lexus electrified vehicles were 169883, up 19.1% over July 2018. Electrified vehicles made up 20% of Toyota/Lexus global sales in July.

Prius sales have not been strong, except in Japan, but Toyota's other hybrids are selling better than ever. Whenever I see a RAV4 Hybrid, Camry Hybrid or Corolla Hybrid, I see a Prius. Someone is enjoying the...

At least the cars aren’t on fire.

After seven roof fires, Walmart sues Tesla over solar panel flaws | Ars Technica

“under its contract with Walmart, Tesla is supposed to do regular maintenance on the solar panels. But Walmart says Tesla failed to properly hire, train, and supervise the contractors doing installation and maintenance work for Tesla.Among the problems Walmart claims to have identified:

• "Many of the Tesla solar panels inspected by Walmart were suffering from hotspots, resulting in cracking of the back sheets on solar modules and compromising electrical insulation."
• "Making matters worse, Tesla had flagged or identified hotspots by placing pieces of tape over the affected areas. Because this tape prevented sunlight from reaching the solar panel, it exacerbated the problem by further concentrating heat."
• "Tesla teams consistently...

Among other things.

• 450km range on the WLTP cycle
• 225kW (~301hp) system power
• 0-60: 6.3 seconds
• VMax: 180km/h
• 82kWh battery (weighs 510kg/318lbs)
• 125kW charger
• Cd of 0.28
• Matrix LED headlights
• Floor is made of recycled materials
• Augmented reality HUD
• Optional solar reflective paint (Solar Sky Blue)

Audi Q4 E-Tron To Offer 25 Ways To Customize Headlights, Taillights


@alanclarkeau this Audi will come with heat reflective paint in a shade of blue.

Source: MIT Tesla Autopilot Survey

For advocates, by-standers, and skeptics.

Bob Wilson

1) Pre-Porsche Porsche fails to sell after Auction Boondoggle https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-18/type-64-nazi-car-by-porsche-fails-to-sell-amid-auction-blunder 2) Continental is Shifting Their Focus from Manufacturing parts for ICE vehicles to Making parts for EV vehicles. https://www.wired.com/story/auto-supplier-betting-electric-future/ 3) The World’s Largest EV never needs to Plug In https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1124478_world-s-largest-ev-never-has-to-be-recharged 4) Tesla (again) Launches Rooftop Solar Plan https://www.ccn.com/elon-musk-tesla-solar/ 5) Wal-Mart Sues Tesla for Rooftop Solar […]

Read more about this episode on WhatDrives.Us

Toyota has (so far) elected not to sign on to the California fuel standards. Many of its competitors- like Honda- already have. As you know, the Trump Administration is working to relax fuel standards. I wrote to Toyota urging them to sign on, but got the reply below, saying they will not sign and only believe in national standards.
While national standards would be nice, in this case, the ONLY way to force that standard will be through California. We all know this administration will not yield to wishes of automakers, environmentalists or consumers. Toyota was one of a handful of automakers that agreed to meet with Trump- and apparently had no influence whatsoever.

Please urge Toyota to force The President's hand by signing the California standards.
Contact them through their corporate website. (I guess I'm not allowed to post a link?)
They must decisively and publicly denounce The Administrations' rollback.
For me, any future Toyota purchase hinges on it.

The (lame) reply...

...and the Paralympics. The invasion begins?
Toyota will deploy 850 electric vehicles at the Olympics, including some weird ones - Electrek
A sample.

Sounds like perpetual motion (but its not)


Electric Dump Truck Produces More Energy Than It Uses | Hackaday

This fully electric dump truck doesn't consume any electricity...but actually generates more than it uses.

The mine is located uphill. So it goes up empty and comes back down fully loaded.
The regen exceeds what is uses to go up hill.

Mike

I was completely unaware of the number and extent of use of e-rickshaws in metropolitan areas of India, which is the focus of the article in this link:


Inside India’s Messy Electric Vehicle Revolution - The New York Times

But 2 points struck me as particularly important :
”Although auto-rickshaws are safer and faster, a ride in one costs three to 10 times more than a ride in an e-rickshaw, which is less expensive because of the vehicles’ cheaper energy supply and ability to cram in four or more paying passengers.”
The fossil-fueled versions of these rickshaws can only carry 3 passengers. The increase from 3 to 4 passengers may not sound like much, but it is an increase of 33% in fares and income, and thus could make a critical difference to the livelihood of these mostly poverty-level drivers. Most e-rickshaws currently use lead-acid batteries, and I speculate...

Saw this article. Could the cost to produce compete with oil? And, if it is cheaper to produce and more environmentally friendly, could we finally see a real alternative to gasoline?

Researchers develop large-scale, economical method to extract hydrogen from oil sands and oil fields - Green Car Congress

California reached an agreement last month with 4 major automakers to continue 3.7% annual average fuel economy increases despite the Trump administration's move to freeze the federal standards. A 5th automaker (Mercedes) has since joined and the New York times reports a 6th will join soon. GM and FCA have commented they prefer not to join the deal with California at this time so it seems Toyota or Nissan are more likely. Trump has been pressuring executives for Toyota and GM not to join the pact.

California reaches climate deal with automakers, spurning Trump

More from Electrify America.

Normal Now <Link

Toyota Prius c to be discontinued; 2020 Corolla Hybrid will take its place | Autoblog

Toyota Prius c | Prius c Discontinued

Source: Tesla Model 3 Almost Outsold Toyota Camry In California In H1 2019