EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

1 | ... | 765 | 766 | 767 | 768 | 769 | 770 | 771

1228 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 810

Subscriber

#3479254 8-Apr-2026 15:45

BlargHonk:

Does anyone know what charging ports new EVs in Japan will be using going forward? I see Toyota are actually selling a few of the BZ4X over there now, but I assume even the 2026 version is still CHAdeMO?

As I understand it Japan mandated CHAdeMO connectivity in the wake of the Fukushima disaster with the intent to foster V2G functionality as a grid back up. That being the case they will be hesitant to drop this initiative. CCS is a connectivity protocol but not a standard. Explained here.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

gzt

18682 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7822

Lifetime subscriber

#3479382 9-Apr-2026 08:26

BYD chief scientist says key commercialisation problems are not solved for solid state:

https://carnewschina.com/2026/04/08/byd-chief-scientist-solid-state-battery-at-critical-breakthrough-stage-while-commercialisation-constrained/

Commercialisation is likely to have a longer timetable.

johno1234

3352 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2843

#3479407 9-Apr-2026 09:46

gzt: BYD chief scientist says key commercialisation problems are not solved for solid state:

https://carnewschina.com/2026/04/08/byd-chief-scientist-solid-state-battery-at-critical-breakthrough-stage-while-commercialisation-constrained/

Commercialisation is likely to have a longer timetable.

Oh well, at least we'll get solid state batteries before fusion generators... :-)

elpenguino

3577 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2939

#3479409 9-Apr-2026 09:49

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/313735

US based electric tractor business goes out of business. The factor that seemed to put them over the edge was driver-less operation (which didn't work).

NZ horticulture would benefit greatly from autonomous machines, electric or not.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

gzt

18682 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7822

Lifetime subscriber

#3479413 9-Apr-2026 10:36

Tesla model didn't work for them:

"last year, a tractor dealership sued Monarch alleging the tractors were unable to operate autonomously and that ten tractors it purchased experienced significant problems and were defective"

SaltyNZ

8865 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9543

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#3479426 9-Apr-2026 11:47

gzt: Tesla model didn't work for them:

"last year, a tractor dealership sued Monarch alleging the tractors were unable to operate autonomously and that ten tractors it purchased experienced significant problems and were defective"

Need at least 10 zeros before the decimal point in your net worth before you can get away with that kind of shenanigans.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2652

Trusted

#3479441 9-Apr-2026 12:28

Why legacy Japanese carmakers don't stand a chance ...

Avatr 06T wagon with Huawei lidar and fastback rear design

The BEV version comes in dual-motor rear-drive and tri-motor all-wheel-drive configurations. The top variant delivers a combined output approaching previously reported figures of around 955 hp, with acceleration down to 2.78 seconds.

Pricing: 31,800 – 38,700 USD

Link here

fastbike

443 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 316

#3479453 9-Apr-2026 12:52

dafman:

Why legacy Japanese carmakers don't stand a chance ..

It depends - are you after affordable reliable transport or a race car ? That appears to be the latter.

Otautahi Christchurch

SaltyNZ

8865 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9543

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#3479454 9-Apr-2026 12:54

fastbike:

It depends - are you after affordable reliable transport or a race car ? That appears to be the latter.

I'm after an EV.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3479458 9-Apr-2026 13:05

fastbike:

It depends - are you after affordable reliable transport or a race car ? That appears to be the latter.

This seems to be them making a does both option tho.

Richard rich.ms

gzt

18682 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7822

Lifetime subscriber

#3479553 9-Apr-2026 16:42

dafman: Why legacy Japanese carmakers don't stand a chance ...
Avatr 06T wagon with Huawei lidar and fastback rear design

Other brands have been in the market for a long time. The main feature of Japanese cars is long life iterated technology based on experience. That is why people continue to buy Japanese cars with all the other choices available. That is not going to change.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2652

Trusted

#3479577 9-Apr-2026 19:38

gzt:
dafman: Why legacy Japanese carmakers don't stand a chance ...

Avatr 06T wagon with Huawei lidar and fastback rear design

Other brands have been in the market for a long time. The main feature of Japanese cars is long life iterated technology based on experience. That is why people continue to buy Japanese cars with all the other choices available. That is not going to change.

Oh yes it is.

Proven technology can only go so far when faced with better value for money.

I had a look at the latest release RAV4 PHEV a week ago and its in-cabin technology experience falls short of a friend’s Sealion 7. Same with the quality of the cabin materials, the Sealion has a higher quality of finish.

I wouldn’t have considered a Chinese car 12 months ago, now I will definitely be test driving several when I next update my car.

Consumers will shift. Many already have, just look around you on the road - Chinese-made cars, hardly seen a couple of years ago, are now commonplace and increasing week on week.

jarledb

Webhead
3319 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1983

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3479580 9-Apr-2026 19:40

gzt:
Other brands have been in the market for a long time. The main feature of Japanese cars is long life iterated technology based on experience. That is why people continue to buy Japanese cars with all the other choices available. That is not going to change.

The reaction to Japanese cars when they were first brought to market was much the same as a lot of reaction to Chinese cars when they first came out.

There is almost zero chance that things will stay the same, Chinese cars are already eating the other countries car manufactures lunches - including the Japanese.

If you want examples of Chinese manufacturers being taken seriously, just look at how Toyota is co-operating with Chinese manufacturers for new EV models in China.

One such car is the Toyota bZ7.

From the article I am linking to:

"For the sedan, Toyota partnered with most of China’s software biggies, including Xiaomi, Huawei, and Momenta, to stand a chance to compete against the likes of BYD and Geely."

The bZ7 is a high tech high end luxury car selling for between $37,000 and $49,700 NZD in China, depending on configurations.

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation or subscribing.

SaltyNZ

8865 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9543

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#3479581 9-Apr-2026 19:41

dafman:

Oh yes it is.

Proven technology can only go so far when faced with better value for money.

I had a look at the latest release RAV4 PHEV a week ago and its in-cabin technology experience falls short of a friend’s Sealion 7. Same with the quality of the cabin materials, the Sealion has a higher quality of finish.

I wouldn’t have considered a Chinese car 12 months ago, now I will definitely be test driving several when I next update my car.

Consumers will shift. Many already have, just look around you on the road - Chinese-made cars, hardly seen a couple of years ago, are now commonplace and increasing week on week.

We'll be a two Chinese car family once the Seal arrives in a month or two...

When I was teenager, my uncle, a mechanic, told my dad never to go near a Hyundai because they were utter rubbish that would basically explode the day the warranty ended. You wouldn't say that about a Hyundai anymore.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

SaltyNZ

8865 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9543

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#3479582 9-Apr-2026 19:43

jarledb:

One such car is the Toyota bZ7.

Yeah I saw another article about that the other day. WTH are they too proud to sell the damn things anywhere else?

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

1 | ... | 765 | 766 | 767 | 768 | 769 | 770 | 771