Are we ready for an EV Tacoma?

Article about the expansion of fast chargers in the US. Includes an interactive that lets you plan a route with distances between the chargers.

I'll enjoy my '25 for a few more years but if an EV Tacoma (or Tundra?) comes out in '29 or '30, I'm in.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/29/upshot/ev-chargers-road-trip.html?nl=The+Morning

 

Why not just get a lightning or Silverado ev now

 

Have you had an EV yet? We had one for a year and the range is just one problem; on a trip you have to charge and even with Tesla fast charging you still had to sit there for 30+ minutes. The Hybrid IMO is the sweet spot and where we will stay.

 

When I was in Spain this summer I rented an EV. I'll admit I did have range anxiety at times.

I'm hoping in the next 4-5 years, the technology for range and charge times will get better.

 

I see you're in Tucson so the elevation hit isn't as bad. EV's communicated range isn't accurate as well, our 306 mile range at recommended 85% max charge was 260 then taking the hit for elevation climb in the Rockies we couldn't even do 200 miles. IMO for something to really work the range would need to be 500-600ish, and then the charge time would be insane unless they can improve that but tesla fast chargers are what's being upgraded to now.

I would like to see a Taco Hybrid with more battery power or a PRIME version AND a larger fuel tank, I'll buy one of those for sure!

 

Prime (PHEV) would probably be best. RAV4 Hybrid gets 39 MPG and RAV4 PHEV gets 94 MPGe. If a PHEV Tacoma only got half of those improvements (over current Hybrid), the 18gal tank would probably be sufficient.

 

I love the 2017, but I would never say to a electric Taco and it would be a cool. Less maintenance and more torque for towing or off-road.

 

As long as it doesn’t take the fugly shape of all the other bloated looking EV trucks on the road, I’d be open to hearing it out lol

 

I prefer to see a Hydrogen fueled or 100% ethanol gas Taco... The EV push is only going to work if they install a charger in every parking spot (imho and not going to happen in my lifetime). Kaliforniacs are in for a rude awakening when the full EV mandate in 2035 materializes and the EV owners (in time) will be fighting for EV charging spots. And wait for the price of Kilowatt to increase because of demand.

 

Considering I am lucky to get 275 miles out of a tank on my 2024, worse if there's 4WD involved, it's functionally the same range as an electric vehicle anymore.

Although, with the utility cramming this stupid time of use plan down our necks, being able to charge a plug in hybrid overnight for ultra cheap would be attractive if I could do 25 miles on a charge without the gas motor. That would get me to work, I could charge there, and drive home without using any gas.

 

Seems pretty obvious new car buying is only for the very wealthy. Without demand for cheaper entry level model vehicles, manufacturers can sell a $35,000 Corolla SE EV.

Base models are already disappearing (GR86 just lost its base model).

The thing is, this is America. You're not going to get people to stop driving or do less miles or switch to public transit. This isn't some tiny European country. The infrastructure doesn't exist here to provide low income people with reliable transit.

What should be done is:

1. Incentivize high efficiency small gas cars
2. Require they are warranted 10 years / 150,000 miles
3. Tax gas, and allow low income people to have a gas stipend to offset this tax - Use all this gas tax to build some fking high speed rail lines.

Problem solved. Cheap cars are back, they last a long time, and Karen can still buy her pos Model Y so she can match Amanda down the block.

 

I might consider a Taco Prime PHEV, but not sure I'm ready for the range anxiety of a pure EV. Would love to be able to drive to work and back on battery only during the week, but know I could still take it on a good road trip or camping, and have the gas engine ready to take over. Of course, pricing would influence any decisions as well - when the Rav4 Prime came out, WA state didn't get any on allocation and prices were very, very high. It only makes sense if its relatively affordable as well as functional.

 

Who is “we”? Not me. Within 50 miles of home there must be 50 gas stations. When traveling never more than a few miles. Out in the weeds, still plenty to choose from. No anxiety

 

I haven't read any other responses.

No. Based on Toyota's lack of EV sales success, I think I read yesterday Toyota sold 18 EV in Japan for all September. Now talking trucks Lightning sales a dismal, GM may have picked up a few EV sales in the past six months but they aren't selling that many EV trucks.

My question is. Why would Toyota want to sell an EV pickup truck in North America?

 

From what I've read some of the 4th gen owners already have range anxiety with the 18 gallon fuel tank.

 

No EV tacoma for me. If I buy/lease an EV it will be a Tesla.

 

Cybertruck?

 

You want to increase the tax on fuel to build rail and establish and transfer wealth away from working Americans?
The current gas tax scheme collects $50-60 Billion per year.
The california rail project, in todays dollars, will cost $135 Billion. That's one project.

You're talking about adding multiple dollars per gallon to even get the ball rolling. Are you serious?

 

I'd be game for a Tacoma PHEV. Charging infrastructure isn't built out in remote areas, so we still need something that can reasonably pull a load out to the middle of nowhere. If it's got 100-150mi of electric only range that you can charge up at home or at work, most people would easily be able to use it primarily as an EV for everyday stuff.

I think that's the most sensible configuration given that a lot of people buy pickups now as their vehicle that can do everything. Keep straight ICE or even mild hybrid versions (think the current hybrid) around for people who primarily are out places where charging isn't feasible. Maybe keep those just in WT/fleet configurations.

That does, of course, hinge on the premise that batteries can be made to be less ruinously expensive. F-150 Lightnings and Silverado EV's aren't expensive because they're made of diamond encrusted gold. I think a $75k+ Tacoma in an "everyday" configuration is probably a non-starter. We'll see where technology goes, I guess.