Are we ready for an EV Tacoma?

it is scary how fast and heavy those things are.

 

Death to all EV’s

 

Stop liking things I don’t like!

 

Unpopular opinion: EVs are basically disposable cars and I hate them. If I'm wrong, tell me how... And yes, the used market plays a huge part.

 

Plus from what I’ve learned from EV owners, the cost per mile is similar when you fast charge. I realize that home charge is less, 1/2 or more.

 

I’m not anti EV like some (never owned one). However I do shop everything to keep tabs on pricing.
When I was checking out a Model 3-P the insurance on an electric car is insanity. The premium went up $90/mo over my RR. I asked a friend who has just a generic 3, his insurance went up $80/mo. Totally negating any “savings” he perceives he gets with an electric.

 

Come out to the Desert, They dont have the Range. New Mexico is a Big State with nothing out there in some places. If aren't going to carry a Generator in the bed it isn't going to work. Teslas are running out of there charge trying to get from Albuquerque to Alamogordo and having to be brought in by a flatbed to get charged. Yes it is poor planning but it happens. Add snow into the mix going across interstate 40 from Arizona to Texas and the Interstate gets shut down overnight. Enjoy the Cold.

 

I don’t think anybody thinks that EVs are for everybody right now. Lots of us on this board take long road trips that would be less convenient in an EV.

But the vast majority of Americans pretty much only drive to and from work, school, daily errands, out to eat, etc. Availability of superchargers is completely irrelevant for those people. If you can just charge at home every night you would never have range anxiety and an EV would be perfect for you.

I know plenty of people that think a 3 hour drive is pure torture. Those people are not taking vacations in their cars. EVs would be perfect for them

it’s not right for me yet because I love taking long road trips. But I have rented a couple of EV’s and they are an absolute blast to drive. I look forward to the inevitable range increases and charging network growth to make them suitable for the rest of us.

 

Related, but unrelated,

I read something recently about Sea Doo making the switch to electric for their PWC's in 2026. That should be interesting. Altitude likely won't affect performance and the torque will be instant.

 

EVs are great for commuters who live in houses. Charging infrastructure is very healthy in the Denver area. If I could not charge at home I could probably charge 30min once or twice week at a high speed charger.

I am the ideal owner of an EV, but I dont own one yet.

I put nearly 15,000mi/yr on my daily commuting and going to the grocery store. I take my Tacoma on longer trips because it's more comfortable when my current daily. And if I am traveling its usually to take my Tacoma somewhere.

I love the instant torque of nearly every EV I have been in, the quiet ride is nice too. I am taking a VERY close look at the new 2026 CH-R. My daily is about due to be replaced and cross that 100k/mi border where it loses a bunch of it's trade in value.

 

I don’t know where you read this, but it is 100% false. They already released the 2026 line up with not one electric ski. They just released their updated engine in 2024.

 

I wouldn't say that, for us it was about half what gas is, I also installed a 240 outlet and charger in my garage for a top off here and there which is even cheaper. We also got free charging at my wife's office, but it was getting to be a PIA for her to manage it.

 

or drive up to Santa Fe where it is 8000 ft elevation and in winter when temps drop below freezing and snow.

 

That contradicts how they hold more recycling value, ignores the nascent EV recycling industry and the auto makers' efforts to keep materials in their supply chains.

I don't own one personally yet but have the experience and knowledge from a company fleet plus related responsibilities in the firm. They've (EVs) proved to be good tools just like my Tacoma is.

You raised an interesting point to consider the used market. I was entertained to find some acquaintances are group in my area that purposely goes for a few used EV models for the combo of low cost and convenience. They published the low costs for purchase of most used Nissans, obviously low operating costs, and how much time saved not going to gas stations which sticks in my mind.

 

Funny enough, elevation is actually an area that an EV excels. At 8000 feet a non-forced induction combustion engine is down about 25% power, something that doesn’t effect an electric motor.

 

Sure I’d buy an EV Tacoma, when the technology catches up in 2035 or so.

Right now, hybrid more than satisfies the typical duty requirements of what’s expected from a class-leading midsize truck for the foreseeable future. All without weighing 8000lbs, or seriously depleting range under load, while towing, or extreme heat, cold…etc. Hybrids are still only just over 10% of Tacoma sales overall, and we haven’t even gotten a PHEV yet. So there’s still a lot of runway left for more hybrids, and no need to rush something that risks turning out being a Tacoma version of the bZ4X.

Present day, the opportunity is with something closer to a Slate, because it caters to very light-duty, mostly urban needs. A heritage-inspired, lower-cost, small Toyota EV truck might sell like hotcakes.

 

Cloudcroft is 9000 feet in elevation, and it snows there also LOL.

 

Toyota hid the 4g in plain sight as far back as 2021 with their "EV Tacoma". It didn't have a tailpipe but may not of had any drivetrain and just been a shell only for display. Or Toyota has been testing an EV Tacoma for a while.

 

I remember that it don't look as wide in the render as the real thing. I can't recall what the physical concept looked like as far as width. The 6G 4Runner looks fat on the OEM wheels/tires.

 

It was definitely preproduction but had the rear 4g roofline. I'm sure the dimensions were pretty close to the final design. Looks good with the extra wide tires on "stock" wheels (the wheels must have a custom width/offset).