Search Results Found For: "Toyota"

Toyota tests silicon carbide power semiconductors in a hybrid Camry and fuel cell bus

Power semiconductors are key components of the power control units (PCUs) used in all types of vehicles with electric powertrains – EVs, hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. Current power semiconductors are leaky, accounting for around 20 percent of a vehicle’s electrical losses, so raising their efficiency could be a rewarding area of study. Toyota has… Read more »

Toyota exec sneers at Tesla for having electric eggs in one basket

Despite the best efforts of EV journalists to keep the peace, the battery and hydrogen teams are squaring off for a smackdown. In one corner, Tesla’s Elon Musk, who continues to deride the efficiency and practicality drawbacks of what he calls “fool cells.” In the other corner, Toyota, whose Lexus subsidiary runs ads ridiculing battery-electric… Read more »

Toyota opens up its fuel cell patents; BMW will also research FCVs

Taking a page from Tesla’s book, Toyota plans to make some 5,680 patents on fuel cell technologies available royalty-free. The motivation appears to be much the same – just as Tesla hopes to encourage other automakers to produce battery EVs, Toyota wants to “open the door to the hydrogen future” and “spur development and introduction… Read more »

November plug-in sales: LEAF (still) leads, Ford falters, Toyota tanks, smart surges

The US auto industry had another banner month, and plug-ins were present at the party, though perhaps not first in line at the punchbowl. PEV sales were down a tick from October, but eked out a gain compared to November 2013. Year-to-date sales have now surpassed 2013’s total, and it appears that annual sales will… Read more »

Toyota partners with Air Liquide to develop hydrogen fueling stations for new Mirai sedan

Toyota has announced that its hydrogen fuel-cell sedan, unveiled at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, will be called the Mirai, which means “future” in Japanese. “For us, this isn’t just another car,” said Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda at a pre-show press event. “This is an opportunity to really make a difference. This is a… Read more »

Toyota tests EVSE expansion in Japan

Toyota has begun a five-month test of public EV chargers in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. In addition to targeting commercial, tourist, and accommodation facilities as in past tests, this year’s tests will also involve cultural and social service facilities. The aim is to ascertain the optimal number and location of charging stations and their ease of… Read more »

Toyota researchers work with Brookhaven National Lab to investigate magnesium batteries

Toyota researchers are collaborating with the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory to probe molecular structures and track chemical reactions in magnesium batteries. “Issues related to cost, power, energy density, and durability of Li-ion batteries have slowed their implementation in large-scale applications, such as electric and hybrid vehicles,” said Toyota… Read more »

French city launches car-sharing service with tiny Toyota EVs

The City of Grenoble, France has launched a unique car-sharing service featuring ultra-compact EVs and close integration into the local public transport system. Cité lib by Ha:mo (for Harmonious Mobility), which is patterned after a system that Toyota has been piloting in Japan, opens October 1 for a three-year trial period. Toyota is providing 70… Read more »

Elon Musk: Tesla and Toyota may form a new partnership in a couple of years

Tesla and Toyota might just patch up their differences and form a new partnership some day, Elon Musk told reporters at an event for the start of deliveries in Japan (with a cool backdrop of three Model S in a showroom high above Tokyo). “If you look out maybe two or three years from now,… Read more »

French car-sharing service will use Toyota i-ROAD and COMS EVs

A new electric car-sharing service will go into operation in the French city of Grenoble in October for a three-year trial period. Ha:Mo, a cooperative effort of Toyota, utility EDF, and local car-sharing operator Citélib, will feature 70 Toyota i-ROAD and COMS ultra-compact EVs and about 30 charging stations. The idea is to allow commuters… Read more »