Toyota solid-state replace, Tesla charging connectors, Telo truck, hybrid mpg and EV mode: The Week in Reverse

Urgent which button could provide help to get higher hybrid mpg?

Which EV outsells all however the Ford F-150?

That is our look again on the Week In Reverse—proper right here at Inexperienced Automotive Experiences—for the week ending Friday, June 16, 2023.

The startup Telo says it could match all of the utility and functionality of a Toyota Tacoma, in an electrical pickup the scale of a Mini Cooper SE, by actually making use of the packaging improvements allowed by skateboard designs. With a few of the authentic Tesla braintrust behind it, will Telo get this concept to market?

In coordination with its annual shareholder assembly this week, Toyota launched a number of updates on key applied sciences, specializing in EVs. In future electrical automobiles, it seeks to make use of a collection of efficiency-boosting applied sciences, together with downsized e-axles, next-generation silicon carbide inverters, and boundary layer aerodynamics from rockets. An electrical Toyota Crown sedan is on the way in which, too. 

Toyota Crown household

As a part of this, Toyota supplied a complete, albeit considerably complicated, replace on its battery technique for future EVs—together with solid-state tech enabling 10-minute charging, in addition to bipolar LFP tech, next-generation NCM tech, and a fusion of chemistries. They could enable future EPA ranges properly over 500 miles later within the decade. 

After final week’s announcement that GM will set up the Tesla cost port (NACS) on its automobiles starting in 2025—following Ford’s announcement final month—charging networks and stations are rapidly leaping aboard in assist. Though it’s not but clear whether or not CCS adapters alone will enable stations with Tesla connectors to faucet federal funds.

2024 Polestar 2

The 2024 Polestar 2 will get a lift to 320 miles of EPA vary. However which may not even be the largest information for a lot of consumers. Notably, it makes the change to rear-wheel drive in single-motor kind, or a rear-biased AWD system in dual-motor kind. There are extra commonplace options with the brand new mannequin yr, too.

Hyundai is successfully undercutting the Tesla Mannequin 3 with a $5,000 low cost on Ioniq 6, if you happen to don’t depend the federal EV tax credit score that Tesla consumers could be eligible for. Though it’s in need of a everlasting worth drop, it reveals that this house is getting extra price-competitive. 

2023 Tesla Mannequin Y – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Full-size pickups apart, the Tesla Mannequin Y topped the gross sales charts within the U.S. for the sooner a part of this yr, outselling an extended listing of different bestsellers. Why are Teslas nonetheless not a typical website on U.S. roads then? Merely put, it takes a very long time for the fleet to show over. 

Two EV upstarts that originate within the U.S. are getting out on the earth. Lucid and Fisker are making ready to promote automobiles in China, each confirmed this week. Lucid additionally reported deliveries have began in Saudi Arabia, whereas Fisker included plans to open a “supply heart” in China later this yr, with gross sales beginning in Q1 2024. 

2023 Ford Maverick

Greater than 125,000 Ford Maverick and Escape hybrids are being recalled—in addition to the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring PHEV—for a difficulty that has nothing to do with the hybrid or battery techniques. In these automobiles, engine failure can result in automobile fires. 

A research from the survey large Ipsos has discovered that curiosity in EVs could also be waning—partly due to misconceptions about EV possession value, though the standard suspects of recharging time and driving vary remained excessive on the listing. In any case, it’s a worrisome development as many automakers lastly begin to ramp up their EVs in quantity. And in line with the outcomes from J.D. Energy’s annual research of EV consideration, out Friday, public charging—way more than residence charging—is getting in the way in which of EV adoption. Almost half of consumers see public charging as an EV dealbreaker. Whereas it’s too early to inform what the results of latest selections by Ford and GM to leap in on Tesla’s commonplace, the survey large underscored that these contemplating a Tesla cite charging availability as a motivating issue.

Nyobolt electrical sports activities automobile

A UK battery agency is rebooting the unique Tesla Roadster method with 6-minute charging and, successfully, 1,600 miles per hour restored, given sufficient cost energy. That’s the declare primarily based on Nyobolt’s proprietary niobium anode cells, that would enable smaller battery packs, fast-charged absolutely, though the agency’s sturdiness claims aren’t but confirmed out with a full-scale pack. 

Will the brake lights illuminate while you elevate off the accelerator in one in all your EV’s extra aggressive modes of regenerative braking? The brief reply, underscored with a latest look from Client Experiences, is merely perhaps. Don’t depend on EV brake lights if you happen to’re not urgent on the brake pedal. 

2022 Kia EV6

In response to a latest report, Toyota is contemplating engine sounds for an upcoming electrical sports activities automobile—in addition to a guide gearbox and even conduct mimicking stalling. Is replicating the interior combustion expertise crucial for a sports activities automobile, or is it attainable to make a rewarding one which embraces electrical propulsion?

And getting extra mpg out of your hybrid automobile—particularly if it’s a Toyota—could also be so simple as ensuring it’s in Eco mode. However beware that EV mode may not imply what you assume it does, and may not increase your effectivity.

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