IONNA & SHEETZ, KYLE'S COOL TOYOTA RAV4 EV, NEXT XPENG P7 LAUNCHES

EV Channels Review

This episode of Batteries Included delves into the evolving EV charging landscape and revisits a classic EV, the Toyota RAV4 EV. The hosts discuss the partnership between Ionna and Sheetz, highlighting Sheetz's early adoption of EV charging and Ionna's rapid expansion, noting their user-friendly stations and commitment to multiple stalls per site. A significant portion is dedicated to a detailed account of a dangerous home charging installation failure, emphasizing the critical importance of proper torqueing, correct wire sizing, and competent licensed electricians, even when inspections are involved. The discussion then shifts to the second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV, a 2013 model with a Tesla drive unit and battery pack. The reviewer praises its driving dynamics, torque, and DC fast charging capability via the Cadamo upgrade, estimating its range at just over 100 miles. The episode concludes with a reflection on Toyota's past EV efforts, questioning their current commitment to the EV market despite the success of the RAV4 EV and their hybrid dominance, suggesting a potential 'innovator's dilemma' scenario.