Interesting articles about Toyota and 2020

Aside from pollution from gas engines? But let's leave that alone before it turns into politics.

 

I suppose coal and natural gas or even nuclear energy(kinda) are more efficient than internal combustion engines.

We've got a long way to go before our electricity production is renewable/non polluting.

What boggles my mind is hydroelectric generation here in CA is not considered renewable.

 

What I was saying is that there are already MPG Standards, each Manufacturer has their own way of meeting that. For example Ford is using smaller displacement Turbo's, Toyota with Hybrids and Fuel Cells, so by Forcing one particular thing on people potentially can lock out a better idea.

 

The thing about hybrid drive is that manufacturers can instrument it in many ways. Depending on how it's designed manufacturers can assist in multiple ways. The electric motor take the place of the torque converter and can be used to increase speed, torque, mpgs, whatever the manufacturer decides is the best route for said model.
I'm not saying you'll see a totally electric Tacoma but I can totally see an electric assist ( hybrid ).
When people hear hybrid they thing tiny cars with good mpgs but with the electric motor in place of the torque converter can assist in towing and with regenerative braking would be a welcome assist towing heavy loads up and down mountain roads. The more you actually read about how some hybrid cars are being made these days and how the hybrid drive components operate the idea seems more and more logical.

 

You couldn't possibly be more off base here.
Toyota partnered with Tesla before anyone even knew who they were. The model S is built at the nummi plant that they got form Toyota.
They virtually abandoned the segment and left it to tesla, Because studies have shown that Pure electric vehicles are actually more expensive to own and produce than their gas counterparts.
And even with tesla' a popularity..electric vehicle are still something like 1% of total sales.

They have explored hydrogen, and they invested a lot in the technology, so much so that that they are giving it away for free to anyone that will take it.
But no one wants it, because the cars are still too expensive to build, and there's not enough hydrogen infrastructure.
Plus a lb of hydrogen is more expensive than a gallon of gas.
Toyota knows it's not a viable option, it was never about that.
1200 sold in the last 2 years. Only to select markets, every single one at a loss.
It pads the cafe standards, and puts out the eco friendly message. That's all it's for.
If they were going to go hybrid electric, pure electric, or hydrogen in a truck, you would have seen it by now

 

But Tesla is trendy. Pure market forces don't account for trendiness.

I like the idea and I think we'll get there eventually but it won't be until we exhaust our current resources. I'm guessing at around $10/gal for gas.

 

And battery technology is the key to electric vehicles. More storage, less weight, faster charging, cheaper to produce- all these improvements are happening.
Electric vehicles are easier to maintain because of less moving parts.
I believe most cars will be autonomous in the not to distant future, and that technology goes hand in hand with electric "motors".

 

You keep your religion out of my uterus and my gas tank!

 

I'm just bouncing around an idea off an article I read about Toyotas interests in the future and the future in general of electric vehicles. I provided the link in the first post.
True that electric vehicles account for a small percentage of sales at the moment but each manufacturer is exploring the options. Tesla is also advancing battery technology in general substantially all the time. My issue with Tesla is that they never seem to have a clear focus. The companies main goal is to make autonomous vehicles with a minor in battery technology but everyday they seem to shift focus with spaceX and solving Australia's energy problems; But that's neither here nor there in relevance to the conversation...
My manufacturer is really pushing electric vehicles and we are working on them more and more each day. A few years ago we had an odd ball hybrid or a super rare hydrogen 7 come in but our service department is seeing more and more repair orders on electric cars exponentially as time passes. I must disagree whole heartedly that electric vehicles are the next major focus for nearly every manufacturer. In fact the reason that Tesla does not advertise is because the demand is higher than Tesla is able to complete orders currently. As to whether that is due to slow manufacturing or very high demand or a combination of both is not information im privy to.
Lastly I never said Hydrogen fuel cell was a good option as most manufacturers have abandoned the notions already due to cost and as you stated infrastructure. The article and my statements was that Toyota has looked into hydrogen fuel cells and sold cars commercially like the Miria along with a select few other car makers but are shifting focus to electricity.
E or I cars are still kind of in their infancy in the grand scheme but with ever tightening government regulations on fuel economy and pollution, Battery technology becoming more prevalent and cheaper, the demand on fossil fuel reserves and the industry push I don't believe EV drive is too far away considering what other technology exists currently

 

no effen way! Smitty- you are really a chick?
Just goes to show, you really never know.
All the bitchin does make more sense now- sorry to all the other females, nothing personal.

 

Shiiiiettttt

 

Make gasoline $8-10/gallon and tell me that you still want a gas truck vs an electric. That will likely curb the petrol-heads

 

Let the Free Market decide.

 

Then what will all the Bros do who want an aftermarket exhaust for their v6?

 

probably a big speaker where the muffler used to be, blasting out the "growl" at the appropriate times

 

all in good fun brother, and I do mean brother.

 

That's what I remember shakerhood. They had ads on TV showing 'em towing, et. al., but that was awhile back and since then nothing/nada on those hybrid chev trucks?

Thanks TRDinOhio for sharing those pics of the cell installation!

 

If Tacomas start going in the hybrid direction, I'd be concerned with the longevity and reliability of the electric motors and electrical systems in off road conditions. Ya, Teslas and other hybrids drive in the rain and dirty roads all the time, but I don't know how well those electrical system would hold up against rough elements, submerged in water, or caked with mud. I can't see a 2019 hybrid Tacoma still being a workhorse off road vehicle 20-30 years later (like the Land Cruiser, Hilux, or a '70s Toyota Pick-Up).

I could be wrong, though. We'll see...