John's Stuff - Personal Log 1308

February 4, 2025 - February 15, 2025

Last Updated: Weds. 6/25/2025

2-15-2025
False Advertising. From time to time, some new owners complains. Nothing becomes of it though, since no substance is provided to back the complaint. This time was a little better: "Has anyone made a complaint to their dealership about false advertising? Although I love how my RZ looks and feels, I am very disappointed and upset about the miles per charge I am able to get in the past 2-3 months. I was getting at least 220 in the Summer/Fall, but I am 155-164 during the Winter." Recognition of seasonal impact is encouraging. But unfortunately, the actual efficiency was completely overlooked. That's how all over vehicles are compared. Remember how MPG dominated articles, despite that not really being the best measure of efficiency? At least it's better than gas-tank size. But it provides no basis of standard to assess performance of other plug-in vehicles. That's why "advertising" carries so little weight. Without detail, how do we know what expectations were actually set... and by who... for who... for when... for where? Needless to say, this is why measures from EPA under a specific variety of criteria were established. I reminded everyone of that with: Study EPA history. We already went through this with hybrids. The approach for "advertising" is complicated, but clearly spelled out. Most of the time, it boils down to better informing consumers to understand what is being conveyed... preventing assumptions. In other words, decide where the focus should be... industry... automaker... dealer... or consumer.

2-15-2025 Next Milestone. It's good to hear about other automakers, rather than Tesla dominating online attention. That makes it easier to notice how much favor is tipping elsewhere. I was getting so tired of the "should have bought a Tesla" comment every time a non-Tesla owner asked for help. That was so counter-productive. Anywho, there was much to same about the bigger picture outlook today:

History has shown us that conquest sales don't amount to much. They're just outcome of early-adopter draw, enthusiasts seeking opportunity. Good for them. There are some great deals available. It doesn't do anything for changing the status quo though. Selling loss-leaders is a very real problem to overcome still.

The next milestone of progress is difficult. Appealing to showroom shoppers, getting those seeking a replaced for their aged vehicle to purchase a new one from that same brand, takes an entirely different approach. Mainstream buyers are no where near as forgiving and their priorities are quite unlike that of enthusiasts.

This is why the second-wave... when the industry is no longer depending upon subsidies... is what really matters. Right now, BEV are not competing directly with ICE or hybrids. Latter when battery cost, chemistry and packaging improves, there will be a wide variety of BEV and PHEV to choose from.
Kudos to Hyundai for taking a lead at this early stage in the marathon. It wasn't too long ago the completely unrealistic cheering for Tesla (20 million annual sales by 2030) was a pointless distraction away from targeting ordinary consumers. Vehicles like Ioniq 5 do a nice job of that already. It's not like gen-2 of bZ4X (which will almost certainly just become RAV4 EV) will do the same thing.

2-14-2025
Mandate Not Necessary. Nonsense of the "EV mandate" being canceled, ironically by the party against cancel-culture, is getting absurd. Though, it shouldn't be overlooked. That idea of being forced to change was a powerful motivator. Some got angry. Some became scared. Some felt abandoned. It was all about stirring emotion. Logic doesn't reach deeply for some. They dismiss what they don't really understand. It's far easier to resist change than to make an effort to learn what it has to offer. Anywho, the origin of this was the target that was set. The previous president had declared a milestone, something to work toward. Like trying to reach the moon, you state the objective then seek out expertise & funding to make it happen. Ugh. Why do some make progress so difficult? Needless to say, I routinely deal with it. Like today: Reality is, a target is all it take. No mandate necessary. History has already proven it. With so much resistance to hybrids, it was only a matter of time before those opposed had to face the reality of acceptance. Notice how 100% of the new Camry (top-selling sedan in the United States) are hybrids now? The same is expected for the next-gen RAV4 (top-selling vehicle in the United States) coming later this year. So many factors were in favor of hybrids, the status quo simply had no chance in the long run.

2-13-2025
Efficiency Priority. Some people never learn. The same problem came up again... a complete disregard for efficiency. Since when is using less electricity not important? Isn't the point of using electricity for propulsion highlighted by the goal of using less energy to get from place to place? Reading an article pointing that out clearly fell on deaf ears. Certain enthusiasts just plain don't care. I like setting up for the "I told you so" moment... because I almost never actually have to say it. They know when the inevitable press release comes about revealing the technology update or implementation I had been eluding to for years. In this case, we know their are efforts Toyota has been focusing on in that regard. Their next-gen eAxle, their bi-polar battery packaging, and the switch to silicone-carbide will each contribute to improved efficiency. How much will they work to distract others from learning about what such upgrades deliver? No engineering degree is required. It simply comes down to the question that comes about on a regular basis... how much will my monthly electricity bill go up? No amount of extra range will make that answer better. In fact, increase weight from the addition of more battery to increase range will make efficiency worse. That's why I was happy to read an article today reflecting a brief consideration of different priorities: This article from today reflects the need, making efficiency the priority. Toyota is already among the top in that category... which is so many pushing the "behind" narrative try to keep focus on range and DC charging. Of course, they are aware Toyota has targeted that for their next-gen rollout. So, their antithesis will vanish. History teaches us about diminishing returns when it comes to size & speed too. That early-adopter mindset is looking more and more like a fight to retain the status quo.

2-12-2025
Price & Cost. Logic is often limited by enthusiasts, selecting only an aspect of argument they feel is important. When it comes to ownership of a BEV, you'd think that wouldn't just focus on the purchase itself. You would think we'd still be getting some type of "gas saving" attention. After all, that had been the primary means of promotion a decade ago when Volt was still new. But now that there's been such a loss of priority from the obsession with DC fast-charging, that topic of cost is a problem. Remember the "cost per mile" focus of days long ago? So much priority on road trips really mess of their talking points. So, only price of the vehicle itself is getting attention: "It matters when your priced directly against cars that crush your range and offer the same if not more features. I agree it only matters for people that need it. But when you price is equal to someone else's and they offer way more. It's a huge negative." Getting more range is supposedly better. How exactly does that save any money in the end? A bigger battery only means you don't need to recharge as often. It's like arguing that a bigger tank will somehow save you money. When nonsense like that is presented, I keep my reply brief: btw, it's quite ironic how you say pricing matters while at the same time dismiss cost to operate.

2-11-2025
Winter Performance. You shouldn't have to point out the obvious; yet, it's need comes up on a regular basis. The biggest source of that comes from the online video publishers who milk the easy comparison opportunity. You know, jump on the highway during winter and record results from driving in a consistent manner. That equates to a very long trip cruising at a constant speed. How is that representative of everyday driving? It doesn't really even tell you how cold temperatures impact results. The specific data being conveyed is too generic. That's why sources with strong reputations are those who publish results of long-term testing, like their collection of data from driving the same vehicle in a wide variety of ways over the course of a year. Anywho, most enthusiast don't care. They stick to talking points to win online battles. Ugh. Overcoming their limited scope is unlikely to ever happen. So, I mostly respond simply to draw attention to what they are ignoring: Bias tests deliver bias results. Notice how a vital data-point is missing? Since when is it ok to promote a vehicle as "green" when efficiency is excluded? Isn't the goal to use less energy? Any lazy engineer can squeeze in more battery for more range and faster charging speed. Added weight & volume is a penalty everyone turns a blind-eye toward. And of course, you aren't allowed to say "electricity guzzler" even though that is a measure of performance.

2-08-2025
Fallout. I was all too happy to point out this is textbook Innovator's Dilemma, easily predicted. The signs were quite obvious, when enthusiasts became started evading issues and lost objectivity about goals. Musk exhausted early-adopter opportunity and wasn't able to find an easy means of appealing to the masses. It was due to reading this, which is quite incorrect: "EV sales in general aren't good. Even in Germany EV sales took a big dive in 2024. It's not just Tesla." It was a Tesla support trying to portray the industry as being in a time of turmoil. In a way, it actually is... but that's due to China pushing automakers to step up their game. That's why we're seeing an increase in sales. Fallout is from Tesla being so far out of step with the market. Knowing I would only get an apologist type response, keeping my reply brief seemed a good choice. So, I only posted: Actually, some are seeing growth. This is basically the first wave of those unable to compete now showing trouble.

2-06-2025
Establishment. That previous post wasn't understood. Somehow, he took that to mean everything was provided. Reality is, that funding is only a subsidy for one or two sites getting the basics. It's enough to start the process. This is a misunderstanding of what happens: "Charge stations should be done by many private companies, not government. Government can provide help like rules and regulations and low tax for few years. This is needed by companies." What rule & tax benefit would there be, especially at the federal level? The property is already part of the business. It's the actual hardware and contract work that requires funding, to ensure quality & reliability. Think about what's important to the customer. This is how I commented: Establishment is what's needed, exactly what the NEVI program provides. It enables private businesses to gain experience at their awarded location. They will learn firsthand about what to invest. Far too often, people assume the government money is vast. It isn't. Funding is only for main highway corridors, at select intervals. None of the others qualify. That's why establishing a few key locations is so vital. Each company lucky enough to get the opportunity will gain important real-world experience. That initial help from the government priceless.

2-06-2025
Free Ride. Using Musk as an example is proving a terrible choice. So, I really don't have to say much anymore about how federal funding to help establish is a wise use of limited opportunity. Some still don't agree: "NEVI should not be a government investment. It should be a commercial enterprise. Tesla did it that way. ChargePoint and Sema did too. If there is demand, supply will follow. Musk already proved that. The auto mfgs want a free ride." I do wonder how much proof a person considers when posting something like that. SuperCharger locations aren't actually that abundant. They are quite inconvenient to use too; cord reach and payment option are both very limited. They obviously work and have a good reputation, but is there any evidence whatsoever of them being a good business? ChargePoint has struggled in that regard. Sema, I haven't ever heard of. This is why some type of government program to help kickstart a variety of ventures is needed. I pointed that out by saying: That isn't how NEVI actually works. The program provides subsidies to help businesses establish charging, which in turn is overseen by each state to ensure that obligation is fulfilled. Starting up is difficult. This is just a means of helping, not an investment. It is also an acknowledge of falling behind the rest of the world. btw, Musk proved it was possible but was far too slow. Notice how long it has taken for V4 rollout?

2-06-2025
Video: ChargePoint on Android Auto. Sometimes it takes awhile for owners to discover vehicle features. When it comes to app integration, that's especially true. I recently discovered I could start a charging session from the bZ4X screen. That possibility hadn't even crossed my mind until one day when I was randomly pushing buttons. Excited to share what I found, I created this video... ChargePoint on Android Auto

2-06-2025
Audience. Acknowledgement of bZ4X selling well in Norway has some wondering now: "I genuinely have no clue why its so popular there. Here in the USA they're a joke, rightfully so. In 2024 they doubled sales to 18.5K units... out of 1.3M EVs sold." It will be interesting to witness market change as people in general start to notice the shortcomings some BEV have while at the same time more charging-stations becoming available. Awareness is key. Right now, ordinary showroom shoppers basically aren't even looking yet. So when a smug enthusiasts starts laughing, I look elsewhere in that topic for discussion from someone using critical thinking to respond to instead. That was the comment above that I found and here's what I posted in return: Know your audience. Consider who's laughing... only enthusiasts. Mainstream consumers don't care. Once infrastructure is built up and that many years go by with EVs as the norm, there is no obsession with range or speed. Toyota is already building a reputation there for quality & reliability... the same traits that resulted in strong ICE sales. In other words, enthusiasts are impatient.

2-05-2025
Haters. I found this refreshing. Talking about being out of touch with the rest of the world: "Has any Cybertruck hater actually had the joy of driving this amazing vehicle? Once you do, you will be ruined. Your current automobile will feel so outdated and inferior. If you drive one, you won't be able to sleep until you get one for yourself. They are that good." Dealing with nonsense like that in the past was at least a little bit an effort to present something useful. Remember Volt? It wasn't a monstrous beast priced well out of the reach of virtually everyone. It was what perpetuated efforts in the wrong direction. I don't bring up that detail much anymore. I do provide reminders of what was learned from it though: That attitude of proclaiming to be "vastly superior" is what created the problem.

2-05-2025
Innovation. It's a fundamental part of Toyota which often goes unnoticed, a strength. Ironically innovation can also be a dilemma, where the leader gets stuck... Tesla. People get hung up on what actually makes a difference. 4680 packaging for batteries was to be Tesla's glorious triumph over the rest of the industry; instead, it still isn't even competitive. Toyota's upcoming bi-polar packaging will likely go completely unnoticed, enabling high-volume sales of entry-level vehicles at a reasonable profit. That type of stealth victory will likely be a great outcome. It's how many innovations become ubiquitous. You can point out the why & how detail online. Most don't care though. They thrive on hype and celebrate pointless wins. It's all rather sad. I still keep sharing useful info though. You never know who is lurking, someone reading discussions who actually cares. So, I post stuff like this: Many claim Toyota has been a laggard based on their measure of progress, which in terms of battery was always related to chemistry. Turning a blind-eye to packaging, despite Toyota's success with their Aqua hybrid in Japan (known as Prius C here) could have been a tactical error. It's innovation no one has given credit to Toyota for having tried. Working well will NiMH was good reason to consider doing the same for NMC.

2-04-2025
PHEV Range. It coincidences with need & support remarkably well. Few recognize that detail to make the connection and understand the significance. I point it out from time to time: Most people using level-1 plug into a standard outlet. That's 120 volts with a 15-amp breaker. It means at most you can pull 12 amps continuously. 120v * 12a = 1.4 kW. Do the math for overnight charging. 1.4 kWh for 10 hours at a driving efficiency of 3 mi/kWh will give you about 42 miles. That's why many PHEV target 40-mile ranges. It's as much as you can reasonably squeeze out each day without upgrading your home for level-2.

2-15-2025	False Advertising. From time to time, some new owners complains. Nothing becomes of it though, since no substance is provided to back the complaint. This time was a little better: "Has anyone made a complaint to their dealership about false advertising? Although I love how my RZ looks and feels, I am very disappointed and upset about the miles per charge I am able to get in the past 2-3 months. I was getting at least 220 in the Summer/Fall, but I am 155-164 during the Winter." Recognition of seasonal impact is encouraging. But unfortunately, the actual efficiency was completely overlooked. That's how all over vehicles are compared. Remember how MPG dominated articles, despite that not really being the best measure of efficiency? At least it's better than gas-tank size. But it provides no basis of standard to assess performance of other plug-in vehicles. That's why "advertising" carries so little weight. Without detail, how do we know what expectations were actually set... and by who... for who... for when... for where? Needless to say, this is why measures from EPA under a specific variety of criteria were established. I reminded everyone of that with: Study EPA history. We already went through this with hybrids. The approach for "advertising" is complicated, but clearly spelled out. Most of the time, it boils down to better informing consumers to understand what is being conveyed... preventing assumptions. In other words, decide where the focus should be... industry... automaker... dealer... or consumer.
2-15-2025	Next Milestone. It's good to hear about other automakers, rather than Tesla dominating online attention. That makes it easier to notice how much favor is tipping elsewhere. I was getting so tired of the "should have bought a Tesla" comment every time a non-Tesla owner asked for help. That was so counter-productive. Anywho, there was much to same about the bigger picture outlook today: History has shown us that conquest sales don't amount to much. They're just outcome of early-adopter draw, enthusiasts seeking opportunity. Good for them. There are some great deals available. It doesn't do anything for changing the status quo though. Selling loss-leaders is a very real problem to overcome still. The next milestone of progress is difficult. Appealing to showroom shoppers, getting those seeking a replaced for their aged vehicle to purchase a new one from that same brand, takes an entirely different approach. Mainstream buyers are no where near as forgiving and their priorities are quite unlike that of enthusiasts. This is why the second-wave... when the industry is no longer depending upon subsidies... is what really matters. Right now, BEV are not competing directly with ICE or hybrids. Latter when battery cost, chemistry and packaging improves, there will be a wide variety of BEV and PHEV to choose from. Kudos to Hyundai for taking a lead at this early stage in the marathon. It wasn't too long ago the completely unrealistic cheering for Tesla (20 million annual sales by 2030) was a pointless distraction away from targeting ordinary consumers. Vehicles like Ioniq 5 do a nice job of that already. It's not like gen-2 of bZ4X (which will almost certainly just become RAV4 EV) will do the same thing.
2-14-2025	Mandate Not Necessary. Nonsense of the "EV mandate" being canceled, ironically by the party against cancel-culture, is getting absurd. Though, it shouldn't be overlooked. That idea of being forced to change was a powerful motivator. Some got angry. Some became scared. Some felt abandoned. It was all about stirring emotion. Logic doesn't reach deeply for some. They dismiss what they don't really understand. It's far easier to resist change than to make an effort to learn what it has to offer. Anywho, the origin of this was the target that was set. The previous president had declared a milestone, something to work toward. Like trying to reach the moon, you state the objective then seek out expertise & funding to make it happen. Ugh. Why do some make progress so difficult? Needless to say, I routinely deal with it. Like today: Reality is, a target is all it take. No mandate necessary. History has already proven it. With so much resistance to hybrids, it was only a matter of time before those opposed had to face the reality of acceptance. Notice how 100% of the new Camry (top-selling sedan in the United States) are hybrids now? The same is expected for the next-gen RAV4 (top-selling vehicle in the United States) coming later this year. So many factors were in favor of hybrids, the status quo simply had no chance in the long run.
2-13-2025	Efficiency Priority. Some people never learn. The same problem came up again... a complete disregard for efficiency. Since when is using less electricity not important? Isn't the point of using electricity for propulsion highlighted by the goal of using less energy to get from place to place? Reading an article pointing that out clearly fell on deaf ears. Certain enthusiasts just plain don't care. I like setting up for the "I told you so" moment... because I almost never actually have to say it. They know when the inevitable press release comes about revealing the technology update or implementation I had been eluding to for years. In this case, we know their are efforts Toyota has been focusing on in that regard. Their next-gen eAxle, their bi-polar battery packaging, and the switch to silicone-carbide will each contribute to improved efficiency. How much will they work to distract others from learning about what such upgrades deliver? No engineering degree is required. It simply comes down to the question that comes about on a regular basis... how much will my monthly electricity bill go up? No amount of extra range will make that answer better. In fact, increase weight from the addition of more battery to increase range will make efficiency worse. That's why I was happy to read an article today reflecting a brief consideration of different priorities: This article from today reflects the need, making efficiency the priority. Toyota is already among the top in that category... which is so many pushing the "behind" narrative try to keep focus on range and DC charging. Of course, they are aware Toyota has targeted that for their next-gen rollout. So, their antithesis will vanish. History teaches us about diminishing returns when it comes to size & speed too. That early-adopter mindset is looking more and more like a fight to retain the status quo.
2-12-2025	Price & Cost. Logic is often limited by enthusiasts, selecting only an aspect of argument they feel is important. When it comes to ownership of a BEV, you'd think that wouldn't just focus on the purchase itself. You would think we'd still be getting some type of "gas saving" attention. After all, that had been the primary means of promotion a decade ago when Volt was still new. But now that there's been such a loss of priority from the obsession with DC fast-charging, that topic of cost is a problem. Remember the "cost per mile" focus of days long ago? So much priority on road trips really mess of their talking points. So, only price of the vehicle itself is getting attention: "It matters when your priced directly against cars that crush your range and offer the same if not more features. I agree it only matters for people that need it. But when you price is equal to someone else's and they offer way more. It's a huge negative." Getting more range is supposedly better. How exactly does that save any money in the end? A bigger battery only means you don't need to recharge as often. It's like arguing that a bigger tank will somehow save you money. When nonsense like that is presented, I keep my reply brief: btw, it's quite ironic how you say pricing matters while at the same time dismiss cost to operate.
2-11-2025	Winter Performance. You shouldn't have to point out the obvious; yet, it's need comes up on a regular basis. The biggest source of that comes from the online video publishers who milk the easy comparison opportunity. You know, jump on the highway during winter and record results from driving in a consistent manner. That equates to a very long trip cruising at a constant speed. How is that representative of everyday driving? It doesn't really even tell you how cold temperatures impact results. The specific data being conveyed is too generic. That's why sources with strong reputations are those who publish results of long-term testing, like their collection of data from driving the same vehicle in a wide variety of ways over the course of a year. Anywho, most enthusiast don't care. They stick to talking points to win online battles. Ugh. Overcoming their limited scope is unlikely to ever happen. So, I mostly respond simply to draw attention to what they are ignoring: Bias tests deliver bias results. Notice how a vital data-point is missing? Since when is it ok to promote a vehicle as "green" when efficiency is excluded? Isn't the goal to use less energy? Any lazy engineer can squeeze in more battery for more range and faster charging speed. Added weight & volume is a penalty everyone turns a blind-eye toward. And of course, you aren't allowed to say "electricity guzzler" even though that is a measure of performance.
2-08-2025	Fallout. I was all too happy to point out this is textbook Innovator's Dilemma, easily predicted. The signs were quite obvious, when enthusiasts became started evading issues and lost objectivity about goals. Musk exhausted early-adopter opportunity and wasn't able to find an easy means of appealing to the masses. It was due to reading this, which is quite incorrect: "EV sales in general aren't good. Even in Germany EV sales took a big dive in 2024. It's not just Tesla." It was a Tesla support trying to portray the industry as being in a time of turmoil. In a way, it actually is... but that's due to China pushing automakers to step up their game. That's why we're seeing an increase in sales. Fallout is from Tesla being so far out of step with the market. Knowing I would only get an apologist type response, keeping my reply brief seemed a good choice. So, I only posted: Actually, some are seeing growth. This is basically the first wave of those unable to compete now showing trouble.
2-06-2025	Establishment. That previous post wasn't understood. Somehow, he took that to mean everything was provided. Reality is, that funding is only a subsidy for one or two sites getting the basics. It's enough to start the process. This is a misunderstanding of what happens: "Charge stations should be done by many private companies, not government. Government can provide help like rules and regulations and low tax for few years. This is needed by companies." What rule & tax benefit would there be, especially at the federal level? The property is already part of the business. It's the actual hardware and contract work that requires funding, to ensure quality & reliability. Think about what's important to the customer. This is how I commented: Establishment is what's needed, exactly what the NEVI program provides. It enables private businesses to gain experience at their awarded location. They will learn firsthand about what to invest. Far too often, people assume the government money is vast. It isn't. Funding is only for main highway corridors, at select intervals. None of the others qualify. That's why establishing a few key locations is so vital. Each company lucky enough to get the opportunity will gain important real-world experience. That initial help from the government priceless.
2-06-2025	Free Ride. Using Musk as an example is proving a terrible choice. So, I really don't have to say much anymore about how federal funding to help establish is a wise use of limited opportunity. Some still don't agree: "NEVI should not be a government investment. It should be a commercial enterprise. Tesla did it that way. ChargePoint and Sema did too. If there is demand, supply will follow. Musk already proved that. The auto mfgs want a free ride." I do wonder how much proof a person considers when posting something like that. SuperCharger locations aren't actually that abundant. They are quite inconvenient to use too; cord reach and payment option are both very limited. They obviously work and have a good reputation, but is there any evidence whatsoever of them being a good business? ChargePoint has struggled in that regard. Sema, I haven't ever heard of. This is why some type of government program to help kickstart a variety of ventures is needed. I pointed that out by saying: That isn't how NEVI actually works. The program provides subsidies to help businesses establish charging, which in turn is overseen by each state to ensure that obligation is fulfilled. Starting up is difficult. This is just a means of helping, not an investment. It is also an acknowledge of falling behind the rest of the world. btw, Musk proved it was possible but was far too slow. Notice how long it has taken for V4 rollout?
2-06-2025	Video: ChargePoint on Android Auto. Sometimes it takes awhile for owners to discover vehicle features. When it comes to app integration, that's especially true. I recently discovered I could start a charging session from the bZ4X screen. That possibility hadn't even crossed my mind until one day when I was randomly pushing buttons. Excited to share what I found, I created this video... ChargePoint on Android Auto
2-06-2025	Audience. Acknowledgement of bZ4X selling well in Norway has some wondering now: "I genuinely have no clue why its so popular there. Here in the USA they're a joke, rightfully so. In 2024 they doubled sales to 18.5K units... out of 1.3M EVs sold." It will be interesting to witness market change as people in general start to notice the shortcomings some BEV have while at the same time more charging-stations becoming available. Awareness is key. Right now, ordinary showroom shoppers basically aren't even looking yet. So when a smug enthusiasts starts laughing, I look elsewhere in that topic for discussion from someone using critical thinking to respond to instead. That was the comment above that I found and here's what I posted in return: Know your audience. Consider who's laughing... only enthusiasts. Mainstream consumers don't care. Once infrastructure is built up and that many years go by with EVs as the norm, there is no obsession with range or speed. Toyota is already building a reputation there for quality & reliability... the same traits that resulted in strong ICE sales. In other words, enthusiasts are impatient.
2-05-2025	Haters. I found this refreshing. Talking about being out of touch with the rest of the world: "Has any Cybertruck hater actually had the joy of driving this amazing vehicle? Once you do, you will be ruined. Your current automobile will feel so outdated and inferior. If you drive one, you won't be able to sleep until you get one for yourself. They are that good." Dealing with nonsense like that in the past was at least a little bit an effort to present something useful. Remember Volt? It wasn't a monstrous beast priced well out of the reach of virtually everyone. It was what perpetuated efforts in the wrong direction. I don't bring up that detail much anymore. I do provide reminders of what was learned from it though: That attitude of proclaiming to be "vastly superior" is what created the problem.
2-05-2025	Innovation. It's a fundamental part of Toyota which often goes unnoticed, a strength. Ironically innovation can also be a dilemma, where the leader gets stuck... Tesla. People get hung up on what actually makes a difference. 4680 packaging for batteries was to be Tesla's glorious triumph over the rest of the industry; instead, it still isn't even competitive. Toyota's upcoming bi-polar packaging will likely go completely unnoticed, enabling high-volume sales of entry-level vehicles at a reasonable profit. That type of stealth victory will likely be a great outcome. It's how many innovations become ubiquitous. You can point out the why & how detail online. Most don't care though. They thrive on hype and celebrate pointless wins. It's all rather sad. I still keep sharing useful info though. You never know who is lurking, someone reading discussions who actually cares. So, I post stuff like this: Many claim Toyota has been a laggard based on their measure of progress, which in terms of battery was always related to chemistry. Turning a blind-eye to packaging, despite Toyota's success with their Aqua hybrid in Japan (known as Prius C here) could have been a tactical error. It's innovation no one has given credit to Toyota for having tried. Working well will NiMH was good reason to consider doing the same for NMC.
2-04-2025	PHEV Range. It coincidences with need & support remarkably well. Few recognize that detail to make the connection and understand the significance. I point it out from time to time: Most people using level-1 plug into a standard outlet. That's 120 volts with a 15-amp breaker. It means at most you can pull 12 amps continuously. 120v * 12a = 1.4 kW. Do the math for overnight charging. 1.4 kWh for 10 hours at a driving efficiency of 3 mi/kWh will give you about 42 miles. That's why many PHEV target 40-mile ranges. It's as much as you can reasonably squeeze out each day without upgrading your home for level-2.