541–550 of 783 posts
Good to have more data points and evidence, but this seems extremely well established by now? Zero tailpipe emissions, drastically removed brake dust, slightly higher tire wear (due to weight), but much better overall than ICE.
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which is the whole point of hybrids Part of the point, not the whole point. Regenerative breaking is absolutely a win; but there can also be a significant benefit from allowing the ICE to remain in the RPM "sweet spot" rather than moving around a larger range.
This is the thing with good hybrids. The "gas pedal" becomes a "I want to go faster/slower" pedal, its position has zero impact on the RPM. As an anecdote: A security company I know only buys Toyota Hybrids for their guards just because of that. They have a habit of driving cars like they stole them and normal ICE cars break down from that kind of abuse. Hybrids won't let you abuse them, they pick the RPM and you dea…
There are some really good videos out there going over how newer CVTs work. Looks like some people are working on ones that are teeth driven, to reduce the loss from being free belt driven. Borderline magical stuff, all told. (Obviously, not magic magic. But very very impressive designs.)
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This is the thing with good hybrids. The "gas pedal" becomes a "I want to go faster/slower" pedal, its position has zero impact on the RPM. As an anecdote: A security company I know only buys Toyota Hybrids for their guards just because of that. They have a habit of driving cars like they stole them and normal ICE cars break down from that kind of abuse. Hybrids won't let you abuse them, they pick the RPM and you dea…
The whole "pas pedal" becomes faster/slower (one pedal driving) is coming to an end. Its being banned as default in the world's largest EV market (and largest EV export country).
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Because some people stand to lose boatloads of money if they are.
(To be clear I quite happen to like EVs) And those people who would lose money are the EV manufacturers. AFAIK in the US EV manufacturers are barely making money even with gov’t subsidies (baring Tesla). They can’t charge what would be necessary without subsidies because most people simply wouldn’t want or couldn’t afford such a product at that price point.
It makes me wonder about this from a policy perspective. China, more than any other country, has the power to dump products at a net loss to the country for the sake of a long term victory. That's tough to combat.
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See the Ioniq 5 N. But those sounds are piped inside... not blasted to the neighbors...
Can it be disabled? I love quiet
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Our bz4x has 16,000 miles and the tires are like new. And it’s 400 pounds heavier than a Model 3.
How are you finding the bz4x? I've read some negative things (possibly just seen negative headlines) about Toyota's commitment to electric cars and that the bz4x is a bit of a wet fish attempt at an electric. Interested in the FUD level going on. As an owner of a (2014 model) Nissan Leaf, which my wife and I both love, it does seem that Nissan somehow dropped the ball on electric given how good the Leaf still is (11…
I get the criticism--why pay Tesla prices to fall 10-20% short of Tesla specs? But the fit and finish is a cut above the Model Ys we drove, the ride is very comfortable, and the electronic features are, while more primitive, more intuitive and predictable. We'll probably get the 2025 to replace our Subaru Forester (which we've been very unhappy with in terms of reliability). I hear the 2025 model squeezes another 30 miles or so out of the battery, which would enable us to make the trip to NYC on a single charge, which is the only complaint we have.
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Do all Toyotas do that? I'm pretty sure that my dad's Corolla will rev the engine when I press the gas if the engine is already running. I'm also surprised for the first few minutes when I drive it how little "engine braking" it has (my habit is from riding a big motorbike).
Depends on the configuration. If they are equipped with a CVT+electric engine on the shaft, then that's the case: they rev to the sweet spot (which on gas engines is 4000-5000 rpm on acceleration? Depending on expected engine load I assume) and the speed is controlled by hydraulic force applied on the CVT. With other hybrids: depends on the generator they have installed, but it matches the consumption in amps by the…
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Can it be disabled? I love quiet
There's probably a federal or local law requiring some sound. Like the Waymos that incessantly beep beep beep when backing up at the recharging station at 1 mph. You're about five years away from hearing beep beep beep everywhere you go due to the proliferation of driverless vehicles.
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This is the thing with good hybrids. The "gas pedal" becomes a "I want to go faster/slower" pedal, its position has zero impact on the RPM. As an anecdote: A security company I know only buys Toyota Hybrids for their guards just because of that. They have a habit of driving cars like they stole them and normal ICE cars break down from that kind of abuse. Hybrids won't let you abuse them, they pick the RPM and you dea…
The whole "pas pedal" becomes faster/slower (one pedal driving) is coming to an end. Its being banned as default in the world's largest EV market (and largest EV export country).
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'll add that Hawaii currently generates 20%+ of their electricity from non-fossil fuels. Plus they are actively reducing fossil generation with a view to removing it completely. Changes on this scale take time. But to make the islands much less dependent on fossil fuels, a two-pronged strategy is in play. Reduce fossil fuel generation, but also reduce the dependence on fossil fuel in transport. As a long-term strate…
Yes. Only 80% crude oil they pull a tanker up, fuel the plant directly on the tanker and roll another one right in. Literally the most unrefined and dirty way to create power, as long as the tourists don’t see it, and the EV owners that think they’re making a different don’t know, g2g.
Seems a pretty simple choice from my point of view.