Real One-Pedal, fail to grasp.  The response to us was "You don't just release the pedal."  It was obvious that triggered him, an enthusiast who had defined his world to be a certain way and was intolerant of change.  There's no flexibility from someone who fought so hard for certain messaging, only to discover that was a bad idea.  It's that same old problem of early-adopters not understanding how different mainstream shoppers are.  They expect growth to follow an established pattern.  Not realizing ordinary consumers will bring about the desire for other options & behaviors often the problem of turmoil.  I have engaged in many online fights over audience difference.  This seems to be another in the making.  And now playing offense, that's pretty much a guarantee posting:  "You don't just release the pedal" is incorrect.  That's exactly what you do.  Between the system automatically working to maximize regen for and the auto-braking to ensure proper following distance, you're getting a convenience one-pedal supporters fail to grasp.  It's a really well executed feature other automakers following the herd haven't noticed yet or simply don't have a sophisticated enough system to support it.

Real One-Pedal, preference.  The common theme for reviews of Toyota/Subaru BEVs is that they don't have real one-pedal driving.  That definition has an enthusiast origin, which is a big red flag.  They just latched onto the first implementation and declared any other variant inferior.  It's one of those blindness problems they don't recognize.  It's their way or no way.  Just like the approach Toyota takes, being different is unacceptable.  The very idea of preference is offensive, reason to retaliate.  Some of the attacks have been fierce.  I have a feeling this one may get rather terse quickly, despite a comment agreeing with my sentiment: "I personally prefer lifting fully to coast and not braking unless I push the brake pedal - that driving style is more efficient for me."  I jumped into the discussion, supporting that post with this reply:  That's what Toyota customers gravitate toward anyway, since it is exactly what you instinctively do having formerly owned a hybrid.  Know you audience.

$5000 Cash.  There was a $5000 cash back offer for bZ purchases through 11/1.  Since deliveries weren't possible and may not be practical for several weeks, that offer (through Toyota corporate for any dealer in-stock vehicle) was extended for a month.  My delivery-window keeps sliding though.  It is now listed as starting 11/26 and goes until 12/15.  That makes the 12/1 expiration especially tight timing in my case. That's the Thanksgiving weekend and our dealers here are not open on Sundays.  I would prefer avoiding a purchase on Black Friday, but whatever it takes I guess.  Stay tuned.  I suspect the date will continue to shift.  I'm planning to stop there tomorrow, see if I can get a fresh status.  Shipping started on 10/20.  I suspect its somewhere in the rail system at this point.  Who knows, especially with this administration slowing things down and making everything more expensive.  Eventually, I'll get my 2026 bZ.  In the meantime, the usual is needed.  Patience.  btw, I have been watching inventory for my area.  Steady growth is encouraging.  A few more get added every few days.  Within a 100-mile radius of St. Paul, shipment count is up to 46.

Rock Bottom.  This article title certainly got my attention: "Subaru's EV Sales Hit Rock Bottom in October"  In the article itself, it went on to claim: "Last month's dismal EV sales are worrying for Subaru, as the company has two new EVs on the way in 2026."  This was from a very popular enthusiast magazine, one that still caters to ICE vehicles.  The idea of anything mainstream being able to compete in terms of performance is becoming increasingly worrisome for them.  I'm going to be driving an EV equivalent of RAV4, the best-selling SUV here.  Such a common vehicle for ordinary consumers delivering 0-60 times in less than 5 seconds destroys their niche.  Acceleration was always a standout trait.  Now outstanding numbers are becoming normalized.  That should mean trying to compete in some other regard.  Nope.  Instead, it mislead about the progress actually being made.  I made this comment on the enthusiast magazines website for that article:  Hitting rock bottom is exactly what every automaker strives for just prior to the launch of a next-gen rollout.  It simply makes no sense carrying over outdated inventory.  Kudos to Subaru for having executed that timing so well.

Controversial Plan.  Ugh.  Reading this was troublesome: "PHEV drivers could be forced to charge after a certain distance.  If they don’t plug in, the power output of the car would be limited, enticing the driver to find a charger..."  That complicates the biggest benefit PHEV have to offer... long road-trips that don't require planning.  Being forced to seek out a charger when you're on vacation is absurd.  It doesn't work well if you are a college student either.  Suggestions without any critical thought really bother me.  Who comes up with such counter-productive suggestions?  Infrastructure is quite lacking still.  PHEV serve a useful bridge.  Don't scare away by creating such a restriction.  We should be doing the opposite by making them more appealing.  For example, the high-end trim for the upcoming RAV4 PHEV will include DC charging.  That support adds to the appeal of plugging in.  Another support boost would be:  Require a minimum EV range, enough capacity to make the electric-only benefit undeniable and premium price obvious... 50 miles (80 km).  Once you have enough capacity to cover daily driving, plugging in becomes rewarding.  Look at the "handful of studies" saying owners rarely plug in.  How many of those PHEV had a 50-mile range?

Neighborhood Chargers.  It's important to remember that automakers are a for-profit business.  Some enthusiasts get lost in engineering and become advocates for new technology, forgetting that mature technology is what pays the bills.  Now we are having to provide the same type of reminder for gas stations.  Seeing them transform into places to stop and hang out for a little bit while you charge is a really big deal.  I pointed out a new gas station just opened up in Northern Minnesota, exactly where I drive to several times each year.  I wondered what its story was, seeing how close the build was to finishing last month.  Not only did it just announce a grand opening, but there was also a mention of chargers in the future.  Having such a massive footprint, the design clearly support such a layout already.  I've heard reports of locations in Wisconsin, where it's based.  None of the ones here have been upgraded yet and that brand was new to Northern Minnesota.  It's common here, in small format.  Out in the far reaches of the Twin Cities (about 10 minutes from my home), a massive new one just opened.  I'm not sure of the potential for charging there; however, in the opposite direction (another 10 minutes driving) is a strip mall location that will be taken over at the end of the year when the final lease there expires.  The site will be cleared and a giant gas station built.  It should be really nice, like the others... large with seating for you to eat and use your computer.  The design is clearly promoting what's to come.  I'm excited by the potential.  This won't be along travel routes, no highway corridor access.  This will be for locals.  My commute takes me by there.  That could be a handy place to stop... especially since it is intended to be 24-hour service.  Nothing else in the area is.  Everything else being closed late at night makes that location an excellent choice.  Anywho, I shared the new online with the MN EV Owners group.  They agreed with the potential.  Neighborhood chargers could be exactly what's needed to win over those who still have doubt.

Corolla Concept.  It was revealed at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.  There will be a variety of powertrains, including a BEV.  No details were shared.  There was a lot of speculation.  My hope is there's a very appealing target price, something well below bZ and C-HR to make it standout.  Basically, it could become the Prius EV everyone has always wanted.  Knowing the reach of Corolla is worldwide with half a century of well deserved love, seeing Toyota invest so much to keep it fresh is... refreshing.  The angular design and giant tires will obviously be tuned down later, but the point of getting feedback was achieved.  People see it as a nameplate that can thrive for years to come.  The concept raised some concern though.  I suspect a lot of those commenting online have no clue just how vast of an appeal Corolla really has.  Giving it an engine-only option makes sense.  Let it become the last of the ICE offerings.  I joined in the discussion about the concept with:  Knowing how vast Toyota's reach is with Corolla, selling in markets profoundly different from what we find familiar, it makes sense an ICE model will still be produced.  Here in North America though, there simply isn't any reason to offer that.  Raising the base to hybrid, like what has been done for Camry & RAV4, is a good bet.

Delay Adoption.  Don't you just love a good conspiracy?  How about a bad one: "PHEVs have one purpose; to delay EV adoption."  It never ceased to amaze me how avoidance of shared components has been so obvious.  Complete dismissal of EV miles is an antagonist trap, like troll bait.  Acknowledge of production benefit is a different beast.  Reality of gains from experience and economy-of-scale is undeniable.  There's the encouragement problem too, where PHEV stir desire for more electric and end any apprehension related to charging.  That impetus cannot be argued against.  In fact, you will over hear "gateway drug" in reference to PHEV.  It makes arguing in favor easy, which I am happy to do:  PHEV encourage BEV adoption in households. Initial purchase is made easy, since 120-volt charging covers EV range overnight.  Owners follow up by installing level-2 from interest in taking advantage of off-peak discounts.  At that point, replacing an old ICE an entry-level BEV becomes very realistic.  No need for long-range capacity, since the household already has a PHEV for that.

Behind, How?  It's awesome when someone asks the same questions you have been asking for years: "In what way are they behind?  Numbers of models, technically or what?"  The narrative claiming Toyota was "behind" didn't take much imagination to dream up some type of incorrect assumption about.  Pretty much no others online would challenge those claims.  So, for years it would either self-feed or some new article would provide a basis for misleading.  After all, the media wants to attract readers.  That meant perpetuating a popular trend (like feeding the anti-EV belief) worked well.  Controversy was the theme, back then.  Now, we are witnessing Tesla's first true struggle.  In the past, there was strong demand.  Both Model 3 & Y would sell based on owner endorsement and convenient DC charging.  That's gone now.  Proof is overwhelming.  Tesla is now advertising.  You don't spend money that way unless it is truly helpful.  After all, Tesla itself is constantly in the news... but not for the same reason.  Past messaging was Tesla led the industry.  That supposedly put Toyota behind, way behind.  None of the reasons from the past hold anymore.  Toyota caught up to the rest of the industry in even the most simple of terms.  It's a different story when you dig though.  There are hints of Toyota actually being a little ahead.  That's freaking some enthusiasts out.  I delight in that.  I can relish the thought that the questions asked today won't get answered.  That was my invite to jump into the discussion:  Measure in the past was with regard to range & speed.  As the market matures, we are seeing that shift to cost & efficiency.  Toyota's motor & inverter upgrades for their 2026 models introduces use of SiC, which actually puts them a little ahead since that should deliver a decent efficiency bump.

A good candidate for a solid-state BEV would be a small sedan, just like Corolla.  The higher density cells enable competitive range.  It will be expensive.  It will be limited quantity.  But it will be.

DC Charging Sessions, shopper expectations.  The discussion was very much for an audience online, those who proudly call themself a supporter.  That's a step above being an enthusiast, someone who shies away from facts when it does align with their endorsement.  My perspective is an outlook for showroom shoppers.  When it comes to DC fast-charging, that's very different.  They will look for something reliable and reasonably fast.  Delivering industry-leading speed can actually be a deterrent.  Many seek something well-proven instead, especially coming from Toyota.  That's where the gen-1 experiences shared about bZ4X are absolutely vital.  I can start messaging very soon about the improvements delivered for gen-2.  Coming from decades of experience, I'm well aware of how the spread of outdated information & beliefs will take hold.  Those looking for validation of their hate will thrive on such content.  I know that how valuable real-world data can counter that.  Simply videos showing my DC sessions will be prices.  After all, most ordinary consumers have no idea what "fast" represents, nor have they ever really paid attention to road-trip stops.  That detail is very easy to assume incorrectly.  That's bad when shopping.  Hope is to set realistic expectations for shoppers before assumptions can be made.  Wish me luck.

DC Charging Sessions, enthusiast expectations.  I rambled this morning, providing those on the forum with something to help satisfy their desire for new information while waiting:  Having already taken several trips to Northern Minnesota with the 2023, improvements related to DC availability over the years has simplified the drive greatly.  With the 2026, I'll be able to drive further and charge faster.  Neither of which is necessary.  They are just icing on the cake.  Looking through the 2026 manual, I haven't found anything related to sessions, maximums or throttling.  It's entirely possible all of that has exceeded customer expectations at this point, so tolerances become undocumented.  We've seen that with other aspects of battery chemistry.  Notice how temperature detail can't be found anywhere in a consumer manual.  What I did find will be of interest to this discussion on battery chemistry and DC charging.  We won't know exactly what's been shipped until an owner looks at their vehicle's door-jam for the model code.  But this does inform us that a new vehicle profile will be required for apps like Car Scanner.  The current generation has 96 cells.  Rated capacity is important too, since that's how battery degradation is calculated.  Though we won't need ODB-II readings for anymore, since that information will now be available on a dashboard screen.

DC Charging Sessions, speculation.  Here's some insight as to how curiosity becomes a problem: "I can say with fair certainty that Toyota has made no pronouncements regarding DC charging limits on the newest EVs.  I asked my AI to look for it. Hard to prove the absence of something, but that's the best I can do for now.  I will keep looking in the not distant future."  What will he be looking for?  I makes no sense doing anything but wait.  A lot of valuable information can come from simply waiting.  Production vehicles will be available in just a few weeks.  Those who get access can provide real-world data.  Feeding the unknown is a bad idea, especially when it can so easily be prevented:  There are many who seek material to keep Toyota portrayed as their antithesis.  Lots of work went into feeding the "behind" narrative and that is now falling apart.  So, we have to be careful with speculation about this new generation.  I've seen that problem of outdated information carryover in the past.  It's quite difficult to get readers to recognize what's posted may no longer apply.  My plan to exploit the opportunity of having a 2026 so early and the fact that I live in Minnesota.  That won't help directly with long road-trips, but the video I capture will be quite useful with regard to battery & temperature discussions.