Toyota bZ4X Battery Could Retain 90% Capacity After a Decade
The Toyota bZ4X will be Toyota’s first electric SUV. Toyota is a pioneer in alternative energy vehicles, but it has yet to produce a popular electric vehicle. The bZ4X electric SUV will usher in a new era for the Japanese automaker. Its new battery is a major milestone for electric vehicles.
The Toyota bZ4X battery pack is built to last
The Toyota bZ4X is the company’s first foray into electric SUVs. Plenty of automakers are beginning to roll out electric SUVs as EVs become more popular. President Joe Biden is prepping the American automotive industry for a huge change by the next decade.
President Biden hopes that 50% of all new vehicles produced in the United States will be electric vehicles in the year 2030. Automakers estimate that close to 40% of new vehicles will be EVs in 2030. Either way, electric vehicle production is going to reach a historic high in the years to come. Toyota’s new electric SUV, the bZ4X, will be integral to the company’s growth and survival in an evolving automotive industry.
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Electric vehicle specs are different from gasoline-powered vehicle specs. Instead of gas mileage, companies present an electric battery range and capacity to consumers. Battery range is arguably the most important spec of an EV because low range means constant charging (which can take incredibly long). Battery capacity, as well as degradation, are huge factors in whether an EV can withstand the test of time or not.
Toyota vehicles are popular for their longevity. Many Toyota vehicles can easily last over 15+ years or 200,000 miles. So how does the Japanese automaker’s quality and vehicle longevity translate to an EV? It’s all about the battery. According to insideEVs, Toyota aims for the Toyota bZ4X battery to only have 10% degradation after 10 years. That means the bZ4X should have 90% of its original battery capacity after 10 years of use.
Why are EV batteries so important to electric SUVs?
Motors play a crucial role in EVs, however, batteries are very similar to gas-powered vehicle engines. The battery pack is where the magic happens, and it ultimately determines the capabilities of the electric vehicle it is powering. High electric vehicle battery ranges allow electric SUVs to travel long distances without having to recharge.
Electric vehicle charging is the most tedious part of EV ownership. Charging infrastructure could benefit from major improvement. Most EVs can take several hours to fully charge. Fast-charging stations exist and can charge some EVs like Teslas in a little over 20 minutes. However, fast-charging on a regular basis could do harm to your EV battery.
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Before purchasing any electric SUV, a consumer should know that SUV’s battery range. For example, if the base model Toyota bZ4X has a battery range of 250 miles, its range would be competitive. Any battery range under 200 miles is on the lower end of the EV battery range spectrum. Range over 300 miles is usually reserved for the highest trim level EVs.
If the Toyota bZ4X has a battery range of 250 miles and its total capacity degrades by 10% over 10 years, after a decade, it will only be able to travel 225 miles on a full battery. The Toyota bZ4X’s battery range has yet to be announced, but it is unlikely that the brand would release its new electric SUV with anything less than 220 miles of battery range.
When will the Toyota bZ4X be released?
The Toyota bZ4X is expected to be released by 2022. The bZ4X will compete with popular electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Honda Prologue should arrive in late 2023 or early 2024, so the bZ4X’s timing is perfect if it can arrive before Honda’s electric SUV.
Toyota is receiving help from Subaru to build the bZ4X. It will run on the same platform as the 2023 Subaru Solterra electric crossover. Toyota has proven it can create a popular SUV, but will the Japanese automaker be able to produce a popular electric SUV?
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