TRANSPORT EVOLVED EPISODE 1 TOYESLA RECORDED MAY, 2010

EV Channels Review

This inaugural episode of Transport Evolved, recorded in May 2010, offers a retrospective look at the burgeoning electric vehicle landscape. The discussion centers heavily on the surprising partnership between Toyota and Tesla, highlighting Toyota's traditionally insular approach to EV development and the strategic implications of this collaboration. The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is critically examined, with the reviewer expressing bewilderment over its limited all-electric range and lack of regenerative charging for the traction pack, suggesting it might be a technological dead end. The Nissan Leaf's strong initial market reception is noted, with 13,000 deposits in the US and 6,000 in Japan, though long-term sales projections and market saturation remain a concern. The episode also touches upon the challenges of new EV adoption, including pricing, infrastructure, and the potential impact of government incentives, particularly the rumored withdrawal of UK grants. The conversation concludes with a brief look at alternative fuels like LPG/CNG and ongoing fuel cell development, emphasizing a future of diverse powertrain technologies.