2021 Ford F-150 Hybrids Are Providing Hurricane Ida Relief

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s a bird, it’s a plane! No, it’s the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid to the rescue! A fleet of Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid models are on the move. They’re are going from Michigan to Louisiana to help with the Hurricane Ida relief effort. 

The 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid is to the rescue again 

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid | Ford

Hurricane Ida ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and New Jersey, causing tons of damage as flooding continues. Ida caused some of the worst flooding since Hurricane Katrina struck. 

Ida was 414 miles wide, with winds reaching 150 miles per hour, making it the fifth-strongest hurricane to hit the United States mainland in history. That’s why the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid is coming in to help. 

Due to Ida’s destruction, over a million people could be without power for a month, creating potentially deadly situations with the summer heat. But because the F-150 Hybrid has the Pro Power On-board generator, they will provide power to trucks in need. 

How much power does the F-150 Hybrid have? 

The 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid has enough power to run your house. The Pro Power Onboard generator is available with several outputs. It provides 2.0 kilowatts with the 2.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 engine. It has a maximum of 7.2 kilowatts with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine. 

You can run a cable from the 30-amp, 240-volt outlet in the truck bed to a 30-amp transfer switch to directly power selected circuits in your home. If you don’t have a transfer switch, then extension cords work. 

Below the 30-amp plug, you’ll find four regular 120-volt outlets. With each pair, there is a 20-amp circuit rated at 2400 watts. With a full tank of fas and a maxim load of 2,400 watts, the system can run for 85 hours. 

Usually, a Ford truck will turn itself off if left on idle for over 30 minutes. But the generator mode disables this function, allowing it to run much longer if the system senses at least a 400-watt draw. 

The system is also pretty safe. It can be locked while left on idle. If the system detects a ground fault, it will shit off. The system will also shut down if it detects a critical fault somewhere in the system. Warnings will be provided on the infotainment screen and in the FordPass app. 

When has the Ford Hybrid provided assistance? 

Available 7.2-kilowatt Pro Power Onboard shown; the Ford F-150 Hybrid's generator features four 120V 20A outlets and one NEMA L14-30R 240V 30A. The all-new F-150 features more exportable power than any light-duty full-size pickup, giving you the ability to use your truck as a mobile generator. It is available with three levels of electrical output depending on engine choice.
Ford F-150 Hybrid ProPower Onboard | Ford

A few 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid models were used to save lives during a massive winter storm in Texas. The power grid became strained and collapsed as temperatures plunged, leaving residents without power for days. 

The F-150 PowerBoost’s Pro Power Onboard generator was used to heat and illuminate homes. It also kept refrigerators and stoves running. Randy Jones, a retired refinery worker, shared that the truck provided enough power for a little heat, using lights at night, to make a cup of coffee, and to catch up on the news and weather. 

When the power went out at a wedding reception, the Ford F-150 PowerBoost was there to save the day again. The reception was in a backyard when the power went out, and everything went dark. Then a Ford engineer pulled his truck up and plugged the party back in. People danced until 3 a.m. 

We hope that the F-150 Hybrid will help those in need. Providing air conditioning and electricity to refrigerators and stoves will be extremely helpful until power can be restored in Lousiana.

RELATED: We Put the 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost to Work

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Why Honda’s Electric Future Is Bleak

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Japanese automaker Honda must produce an electric vehicle soon to keep up with the automotive industry. The company has lagged behind other automakers in EV production, and now it may be doomed. Here’s why Honda’s electric future is uncertain, to say the least.

Honda gave other automakers a head start

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro | Ford

Honda has tried to make alternative options to gas-powered vehicles. It has produced hybrid vehicles. It even tried to produce an electric vehicle. The Honda Clarity EV did too little. Now the automaker’s next EV may be too late.

Automakers like Ford, Nissan, and Tesla have produced successful electric vehicles. Companies are already adding EVs to lineups, and these EVs are growing fanbases. Honda’s lack of an EV gives other automakers room to gain more attention from consumers and ultimately take sales from Honda by offering electric options that the company doesn’t.

Honda is behind no matter what perspective you look at it from. Good decisions are rarely made in haste. In Honda’s rush to produce a great EV, it partnered with a company that seemingly had experience in the area. Now, that partnership and Honda’s EV may go up in flames.

The Honda and General Motors partnership could be a disaster

The Honda Prologue BEV | Honda via YouTube

After witnessing the early success of the Chevrolet Bolt in 2017, Honda later decided to strike a deal with the large American automaker. General Motors is one of the big three American automakers. It seemed to have experience launching a successful EV platform with the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. Appearances can be deceiving.

Chevrolet has recently recalled every Chevy Bolt model ever made. The Bolt has been noted as a fire risk both by consumers and the company. Several models have burst into flames after battery modules overheated and subsequently caused larger fires. But what does this mean for Honda?

Honda’s deal with General Motors was an agreement to collaborate on the production of the Honda Prologue Battery Electric Vehicle. According to Car and Driver, the Prologue is an electric SUV that is slated to come out in 2024. There’s just one problem. How can Honda rely on GM’s help when the company’s own EV just cost them millions of dollars?

GM is now going through an expensive battery module replacement process. The company has had to recall every Chevrolet Bolt EV that it has ever produced because the battery modules are so dangerous. GM has its own problems. so contributing to Honda’s EV efforts in a positive way just doesn’t seem feasible.

Will we ever get a good Honda EV?

Honda Motor presents the new concept cars "EV" (L) and the "FCX Clarity" during the Tokyo Motor Show
Honda Motor presents the new concept cars “EV” (L) and the “FCX Clarity” during Tokyo Motor Show | Katsumi Kasahara/AFP via Getty Images

A Honda electric vehicle is coming, we just have no idea when for sure. In order to compete with current electric vehicles, the Honda Prologue will have to have upwards of 230 miles of range on its base model. It must also provide enough speed to be fun. Honda can take a page out of Ford’s book and electrify one of its popular nameplates.

Nothing about Honda’s GM deal is exciting for the future of the company. Chevrolet Bolts have been a disaster. Hondas are generally reliable vehicles, so it’s hard to imagine the company would risk having a similar issue to GM. Chances are a great Honda EV will be available eventually, but right now, the future doesn’t look so bright.

RELATED: The Honda Fit EV was a Shockingly Terrible Electric Car

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Isuzu D-Max Arctic Pickup Kicks Ranger Raptor’s Ass

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Isuzu D-Max is yet, another pickup not available in the US. Honestly, we didn’t care about that, until we saw what it is getting ready to produce. This is the Arctic D-Max AT35 pickup, and it sure looks like it can kick the Ranger Raptor’s ass. 

The 2022 Isuzu D-Max gets the Arctic Trucks magic touch

2022 Arctic CT35 Isuzu D-Max pickup | AT

Arctic Trucks does conversions in Europe out of its home base in Warwick, UK. It specializes in off-road vehicles for extreme environments but also cranks out limited edition production trucks. It recently applied its magic on another pickup we don’t get, the Toyota HiLux. 

If you’ve seen images from the Middle East of armed fighters with guns then you’ve seen Toyota’s HiLux. Anyway, now Arctic has turned its attention on the D-Max. And while it looks awesome, this is not an all-show, no-go poseur. 

Arctic starts off by reinforcing a 2022 D-Max double-cab chassis, which is body-on-frame construction. Then it adds a raised Bilstein performance suspension for the exclusive all-terrain wheels mounting 35-inch tall tires. Aggressive wheel arches help protect the body. In addition, the AT35 features extended running boards to ease egress and ingress. 

The AT35 D-Max includes the premium Isuzu V-Cross leather interiors

2022 Arctic CT35 Isuzu D-Max pickup
2022 Arctic CT35 Isuzu D-Max pickup | AT

Inside, there are Arctic-branded headrests, floor mats, and sill covers. All AT35 trucks start with the top-of-the-line Isuzu V-Cross trim. So, these cabs are fully loaded including leather and a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen. There is even an HDMI port to plug in a laptop or your PlayStation 5

Arctic leaves the powertrain unmodified, so it is the standard 1.9-liter diesel with 162 hp. An optional 3.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine is also available from Isuzu, but not for the AT35. Of course, four-wheel drive is also part of the package, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. And a rear diff lock is also offered. 

The S-Max gets top safety ratings in Europe

2022 Arctic CT35 Isuzu D-Max pickup
2022 Arctic CT35 Isuzu D-Max pickup | AT

With the safety features for the all-new 2021 D-Max, it has earned a Euro NCAP five-star rating. This includes lane assist, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. Single-, extended-, and double-cab models are all offered in Europe, along with four trim levels for the factory versions. 

While pricing has yet to be revealed a D-Max V-Cross pickup goes for around $55,500 in Europe. The Ranger Raptor in Australia is pushing $80,000, so the AT35’s price, though expensive, is quite a bit cheaper. And again, it is a new truck just released this year.

This third iteration of the D-Max now shares its platform with Mazda’s BT-50. The earlier version was a reworked Chevy Colorado. Isuzu began production of the D-Max at its Thailand plant in 2019 but only introduced it to Europe this year. 

RELATED: When Did Isuzu Stop Making Cars for the United States Market?

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Is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime the Best Hybrid on the Market?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime is an innovative hybrid SUV. The Plug-in hybrid SUV has changed the way many consumers look at hybrids. The Rav4 Prime is game-changing. Here’s why it’s the best hybrid vehicle on the market.

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime is a new exciting type of hybrid

The Toyota Rav4 Prime | Toyota

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime is the most expensive Rav4. The Toyota Rav4 is known for being affordable. The Rav4 Prime is over $10,000 more than the standard Rav4, yet it’s completely worth it.

The Toyota Rav4 is one of the best-selling compact SUVs on the market. Toyota took a risk and introduced a hybrid version of the popular SUV. In 2020 the Japanese automaker took things a step further and introduced the Toyota Rav4 Prime Plug-in Hybrid. A plug-in hybrid is a vehicle that can charge its electric battery pack through a charging station, similarly to how an electric vehicle refuels.

Making a hybrid version of the company’s most popular SUV that is just one step away from an electric vehicle was a huge risk. The Rav4 Prime could have been received poorly, which would have ultimately set Toyota back. Instead, the Rav4 Prime proved that Toyota is still the industry leader in hybrid technology and made the Rav4 even more lovable.

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime is the best hybrid on the market (and possibly ever) because it takes one of the best compact SUVs and brings it into the electric future. Toyota is still taking baby steps into the electric future, but the Rav4 is proof of the company’s progress in making great vehicles that reduce carbon emissions. Unlike many other hybrids, the RAV4 Prime looks good, is comfy, and is fun to drive.

The 2021 Rav4 Prime is the best hybrid on the market

A red Toyota Rav4 Prime.
The Toyota Rav4 Prime | Toyota

Hybrids have often been held to a different standard than gas-powered vehicles because they are so radically different. The Rav4 Prime is the epitome of what a hybrid should be because it has all the best attributes of the best-selling Toyota Rav4 combined with the fuel economy of an amazing hybrid powertrain. The Toyota Rav4 Prime is in many ways the antithesis of the Toyota Prius because it introduces new features by relying on familiarity.

The Toyota Rav4 Prime is the best hybrid on the market because it’s a blast to drive. According to MotorTrend, its total power output is 302 horsepower between its hybrid engine and two motors. The hybrid SUV has a total of approximately 600 miles of driving range using gas and electricity. It can travel 42 miles on electricity alone.

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime is a hybrid that is fast, easy to use, and familiar. It’s also extremely comfortable. The Prius walked so the Rav4 Prime could run. Fully electric Toyotas are coming, but in the meantime, the Rav4 Prime is the best of both worlds.

Should you buy a 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime?

A red 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime | Marl Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

The 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime starts at $38,350. Its highest trim starts at $41,675. We know less about the longevity of hybrid vehicles, but the 2021 Rav4 Prime should give the average driver at least 11 great years of driving before needing any major maintenance.

The Rav 4 Prime is the perfect hybrid SUV in many ways. It’s a last hurrah for Toyota’s hybrid vehicles before the age of the electric fully takes over the automotive industry. The Rav4 Prime was built to be enjoyed and is still environmentally friendly. The hybrid SUV is an amazing choice for drivers looking to purchase their first hybrid vehicle.

RELATED: 5 Reasons the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Completely Trumps the BMW X3 xDrive30e

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