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 »
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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 »
Automakers offer free hydrogen – but not for the reason you think
Not ready to buy a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle yet? Would free fuel tip the balance? Both Hyundai and Toyota are offering free hydrogen fuel with their FCVs. According to Toyota, buyers of the new Mirai sedan will receive “complimentary hydrogen fuel for up to three years.” While free fuel may indeed be an enticement… 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 »
Toyota makes it official: Battery EVs stink, fuel cells rule
A top Toyota executive has confirmed what was already apparent to EV industry insiders: the Japanese automaker is placing all its chips on hydrogen fuel cell technology, and abandoning efforts to develop battery-electric vehicles. In an interview with Automotive News at Fortune magazine’s Brainstorm Green conference, Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America, said that Toyota believes battery-electric vehicles are viable only… Read more »
Hyundai to handle hybrids and hydrogen, Kia to cover cars with cords
Hyundai Motor Group has announced a record-high budget for 2012 that includes 5.1 trillion Korean won (about $4.4 billion) for R&D, of which the lion’s share will be for hybrids and EVs, according to Singapore news portal AsiaOne. Company spokespeople made it clear that eco-friendly cars will be its main focus in 2012. The giant… Read more »
Kenworth pursues both BEVs and FCEVs
For heavy-duty truck manufacturer Kenworth, adoption of zero-emission trucks is seen as inevitable—the shift is being driven by both regulatory requirements and economic benefits. Speaking at a recent press event, Kenworth executives outlined the company’s electrification strategy, which includes investigating both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. As Fleet Owner reports, 17 US states and… Read more »
2024 Honda Prologue: Japan’s most American brand gets serious about EVs
As it did in previous decades, Honda has used another maker’s car to enter a new US segment. Honda is often known as the world’s largest maker of internal combustion engines—more than 14 million of them a year. It sells those engines in a variety of containers, from home generators and lawn mowers to ATVs… Read more »
As others cry the blues, Hyundai announces record profit, keeps EV plans on track
While some legacy automakers whine that they can’t make a profit on EVs, and others cling to 20th-century tech such as hybrids and hydrogen, Hyundai is getting on with the business of selling EVs—and making a tidy profit, thank you. Hyundai Motor, which includes the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands, recently posted third-quarter financial results…. Read more »
New VW boss seems lukewarm on EVs, wants to bet on synthetic fuels
Former Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess was a hero to pro-EV activists. He was less popular with certain factions within the company, including the powerful Works Council (to say nothing of the stock market), and in 2022, he was forced out, to be replaced by Oliver Blume. At the time, we wondered whether Diess’s departure… Read more »
