Toyota’s recently announced relationship with Tesla looks set to bear offspring already, as the two companies have signed an agreement to initiate the development of an electric version of the RAV4. In keeping with Toyota’s previously stated aim of selling EVs in America by 2012, prototypes will be made combining the Toyota RAV4 model with a Tesla electric powertrain. The first prototype has been built and is already undergoing testing by Tesla with the intention of delivering a fleet of prototypes to Toyota for evaluation this year.
In May, Tesla and TMC announced their intent to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Tesla seeks to learn and benefit from Toyota’s engineering, manufacturing, and production expertise, while Toyota aims to learn from Tesla’s EV technology, daring spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility.
Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars for mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components, and is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.
I know that there is off the shelf technology and batteries as well to give an electric a 200 mile range, and I also know it only takes about 20 horsepower to run a car down the road at 65 miles an hour continuously. So I would like to see a modest priced high efficient disc motor, perhaps two or even four with a rating of about 30 to 40 horsepower with a peak of 120 to 200 and a range of 200 or more in an electric car...not a stupid looking box... for under 20,000 dollars. And photo-voltaics have become less expensive and more efficient and can add 30 to 40 miles per day. Can we see that, please?
My concern is our long term power production capability. I wish someone with deep pockets would get behind Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors (LFTRS) and then let our government (EPA etc...) get behind them. The promise of a brightly lit future for all lies in this incredible technology.
I hope we wake up, pull our collective heads out of the dark spaces they seem to occupy and move forward before the Chinese beat us to it.
Imagine each city having their own small reactors and being able to scale the LFTRS up or down to meet the size requirement, instead of shipping electric power hundreds of miles with the accompanying losses involved.
You can build it in my backyard! ...just don't tell the neighbors. They might not understand.
LFTRS and EVs make me smile almost as much as informing the Middle East oil extortion group that the lake of crude they're sitting on is not a product we need anymore.
Pipe dream? Well it is my pipe!