Electric and Hybrid Car Thread

[AstulzerRZD]

It's because Toyota are putting 250CCA batteries in new gas Corolla and RAV4/NX hybrids and EVs.

Just gotta put a replacement one (even the Toyota replacemenet has 400CCA) or go one size up to 600CCA+.

[Badhobz]

yah, he told me to get a H5 AGM battery from costco when my 12v dies. But around the 2 year mark to start leaving a jumper pack in the trunk just in case.

[AstulzerRZD]

it's gotten to a point where i refuse toyota hybrids and gas corolla rentals if i know it's gonna be cold - had 3 too many die on me

[AstulzerRZD]

5 minute recharge is here.

BYD blade just announced Blade 2.0 battery.
- 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes
- 10% to 97% in 9 minutes.

Even in sub-zero conditions
- 20%-97% charge takes 12 minutes at -20°C and at -30°C, just three minutes longer than at ambient temperatures

BYD are building 20000 1500kW chargers in 2026, with coverage every 100km along motorways.
- They will use 120kW chargers to refill battery packs that will deliver 1500kW to a car.

Even with just the 400kW chargers we have in North America, 10-70% is only a 10 minute charge.

https://carnewschina.com/2026/03/05/...tions-in-2026/

[RabidRat]

Seems like this 12V issue is rampant, now with hybrids and EVs taking over.

Somebody should make a product that permanently clips onto the battery terminals and monitors the state of your 12V battery.

Should optionally send you notifications when the drain is faster than usual, forecast how long you have til it's going to be low, and definitely when it's about to die / is dead.

Should also optionally let you attach a battery bank to add capacity (like if you're gonna be away on a trip).

The hardware part of this wouldn't be that hard for me. I guess I wouldn't know anything about the software part - talking to your phone etc.

[bcrdukes]

There are aftermarket options that have a Bluetooth functionality to tell you what your 12v battery life is like. Popular among the exotic car segment.

[djstyles]

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

5 minute recharge is here.

BYD blade just announced Blade 2.0 battery.
- 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes
- 10% to 97% in 9 minutes.

Even in sub-zero conditions
- 20%-97% charge takes 12 minutes at -20°C and at -30°C, just three minutes longer than at ambient temperatures

BYD are building 20000 1500kW chargers in 2026, with coverage every 100km along motorways.
- They will use 120kW chargers to refill battery packs that will deliver 1500kW to a car.

Even with just the 400kW chargers we have in North America, 10-70% is only a 10 minute charge.

[Badhobz]

The Soleterra has a 110v 1500w outlet in the trunk that you can easily run a trickle charger on. I dont know if this outlet is drained from the main traction batteries, or the 12v itself... if its the 12v, then thats stupid.

[RabidRat]

That would be a hilarious oversight - and therefore a totally Toyota thing to do - to just run a 1.5kW inverter off the little 12V battery

They probably actually limit the output, if for whatever reason they're unable/unwilling to top up the 12V with the HV battery. One hopes!

edit: ok a quick google search says you have to have the car on "Ready" to enable that AC outlet.

in my FJ, it was limited output when in accessory mode, and the full power when you had the vehicle running.

[Traum]

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

It's because Toyota are putting 250CCA batteries in new gas Corolla and RAV4/NX hybrids and EVs.

Just gotta put a replacement one (even the Toyota replacemenet has 400CCA) or go one size up to 600CCA+.

What is Toyota thinking?! A 250 CCA 12V battery in the car? Did they mistaken their vehicles to be motorcycles that are driven only in the summer?

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by Traum

What is Toyota thinking?! A 250 CCA 12V battery in the car? Did they mistaken their vehicles to be motorcycles that are driven only in the summer?

Our original battery on the Corolla died just before the five year mark but it died on a very cold day (-22c with windchill.) I didn't connect the battery to a tender thinking, oh, no problem. No. The battery died. I managed to jump start it and limp it to Cambodian Tire to pick up a replacement. To my surprise, the original battery was something like a 350 CCA or something battery. I was like WTF is this? Trash, I tell ya!

[6793026]

BZ is FWD - don't ever get that
BZ AWD
BZ AWD limited - front camera etc-....

regardless I was desperate for a car so i'm ok that i didn't wait... cause i know i woudl be kicking myself if the $4k rebate fromtoyota dropped a week after i got the car.

Yes the 0.99% helped but Subaru is 0.5%

so the epic thing was this.

Girl was charging BZ at telsa charger.. had to sit and wait.
SO she realized there is a power at back. plugs in and warms her sandwich with air fry... so epic

[djstyles]

Hobz can hook up an induction burner and have hot pot in the trunk!

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

Our original battery on the Corolla died just before the five year mark but it died on a very cold day (-22c with windchill.) I didn't connect the battery to a tender thinking, oh, no problem. No. The battery died. I managed to jump start it and limp it to Cambodian Tire to pick up a replacement. To my surprise, the original battery was something like a 350 CCA or something battery. I was like WTF is this? Trash, I tell ya!

1.8, 2.0 gassers, 2.5 hybrids have ~300CCA.


I heard some later year Canadian Corolla/Corolla Cross got bigger batteries.

[bcrdukes]

Damn, why though, Toyota?

[AstulzerRZD]

For gas, maybe they use a more efficient starter?
For hybrid, I think 300CCA is reasonable because there's no starter motor.

The replacement OEM batteries have ~450CCA.
F-150 lightning is also only ~400 CCA.