I forgot which marketing name it was, but one of Honda 1-motor systems that used the motor in clutch pack had a major design oversight that it can't handle a traffic jam in an incline, which happens in (of all places)Japan; the HV battery runs out and the car needs to be towed and/or driven at higher speed to both cool down and fill back up. Generator plus traction 2-motor systems feel stupid but it's necessary to cover those situations.
I remember one review of Mazda CX-90 hybrid (not plug-in) that reviewer genuinely didn't know why Mazda put such a small battery in there that's not enough for anything.
I drove a little Toyota Tahoe with the same tiny battery and the reason is clear -- it replaces first gear. So you can have much simpler and reliable transmission, and be more efficient at cities stop signs.
What's the Pareto principle, but for cars? My cx90 battery range is just over 35km... so in US that's a round trip of 10mi, i.e. 70% of all US car trips[0].
It does the daily commute a few times over, or one day of errands. It does a full charge overnight anywhere with a standard plug; but I have enjoyed EV only parking and fast charge when I'm on the road. I've only used gas for intercity trips, and then it still gets better milage than my 6-speed mazda 3 sedan. And it tows! My partner and I got a short camper trailer and we've spent this last summer doing campouts we never would have bothered with a tent.
Very versatile vehicle, I'm super satisfied with mine.
My cx90 convinces me that neighbourhood range evs are to cars what the air fryer is to ovens. I would ditch the beater mazda3 for ev kei car if I could. The petrol and Detroit 3 lobby is holding back the future on this continent.
fnord77 · · focus · HN ↗
deepsun · · focus · HN ↗
numpad0 · · focus · HN ↗
deepsun · · focus · HN ↗
I drove a little Toyota Tahoe with the same tiny battery and the reason is clear -- it replaces first gear. So you can have much simpler and reliable transmission, and be more efficient at cities stop signs.
GLGirty · · focus · HN ↗
It does the daily commute a few times over, or one day of errands. It does a full charge overnight anywhere with a standard plug; but I have enjoyed EV only parking and fast charge when I'm on the road. I've only used gas for intercity trips, and then it still gets better milage than my 6-speed mazda 3 sedan. And it tows! My partner and I got a short camper trailer and we've spent this last summer doing campouts we never would have bothered with a tent.
Very versatile vehicle, I'm super satisfied with mine.
My cx90 convinces me that neighbourhood range evs are to cars what the air fryer is to ovens. I would ditch the beater mazda3 for ev kei car if I could. The petrol and Detroit 3 lobby is holding back the future on this continent.
[0] <a href="https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10318" rel="nofollow">https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10318