Despite having unveiled an electric truck prototype last year, Toyota says it will not build such a vehicle until the charging infrastructure is improved. According to the company’s chief engineer responsible for the Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, and 4Runner, Mike Sweers, electric vehicles are not yet ready to meet all of the expectations of truck buyers. This is surprising since the company’s CEO, Akio Toyoda, unveiled 15 prototypes of future electric vehicles last year, saying that over the next five years, every vehicle in the brand’s lineup will be electrified. This doesn’t mean that every vehicle will be fully electric, but it means that the next generation of the Tacoma will offer some form of hybridization, as does the Tundra. Read original article here.
StoreDot’s fast-charging batteries could recharge 100 miles in five minutes
Israeli startup StoreDot has begun shipping samples of its fast-charging batteries to automakers for real-world EV testing. The samples are 30-Ah lithium-ion pouch cells “in EV form factor,” StoreDot which claims can add 100 miles of range from just five …
Have lithium-ion battery capabilities peaked?
The next generation of BMW electric vehicles promises up to 620 miles of range, 30 percent quicker charging, and a cheaper production process that cuts significantly down on carbon emissions—all with lithium-ion EV batteries like the rest of the automotive …
Lightyear 0 solar car starts production, has 150 pre-orders
The Lightyear 0 became the first production vehicle to be powered by solar energy when the first unit came down the assembly line yesterday. Equipped with solar panels on the roof, and the hood, Lightyear says the 0 can add …
Mid-size cars don’t measure up in side crash tests
Mid-size cars don’t hold up as well as crossover SUVs in a new side impact test conducted by the IIHS, the insurance industry-funded nonprofit announced Thursday. Only the 2022 Subaru Outback earned a top “Good” rating in a new crash …
Ford re-starts F-150 Lightning orders, but will cost more
The popularity of Ford’s F-150 Lightning is a sign that battery-electric vehicles are gaining steam with mass-market automakers. Unfortunately for some, the Lightning might have gained too much steam; Ford wasn’t able to keep up with early demand, and that …
A heated seatbelt (Heat Belt) that lets you conserve range in your EV
Low temperatures and electric vehicles don’t play well together. The cold takes a toll on range, in part because electrons move slower when it’s chilly but mostly because heating up the cabin costs extra energy in an EV. ZF’s Heat …