[SUBARU_DAD]

What is this

Five Things to Know About the All-Electric Toyota bZ4X - Toyota USA Newsroom

Toyota’s introduction of the bZ4X represents the first of a global series of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to be introduced under the “Toyota bZ” (Beyond Zero) brand umbrella. This electrifying lineup boasts zero emissions and is part of the automaker’s diverse […]

pressroom.toyota.com

 

[Basilla]

Well, it is rumoured that the battery may be an LFP type which don't like to be charged when cold. I am really interested in knowing what type of battery the Solterra and bZ4X AWD come with.

 

[mg64ve]

Well, it is rumoured that the battery may be an LFP type which don't like to be charged when cold. I am really interested in knowing what type of battery the Solterra and bZ4X AWD come with.

Me too. I don't find any information in internet regarding Panasonic battery chemistry. It is weird.

 

[442]

There’s another section in the owner’s manual that says the car (EV system) just won’t operate if it is too cold (~ -22F) and the solution is to wait until it is warmer.

 

[Jenovalente]

There’s another section in the owner’s manual that says the car (EV system) just won’t operate if it is too cold (~ -22F) and the solution is to wait until it is warmer.

They are selling this car on Norway, so there has to be a way to warm the batteries that they may not offer in the US - which is shortsighted.

 

[ib3]

That's very concerning when you live in a place where -22F is not unusual in the winter. I'm expecting that cold weather will impact charge time and range (like any other EV on the market), but not being able to use the car at all... Why are they even considering to sell this car in Canada if it's the case? Or are they writing this to cover their a... just in case.

 

[R P]

My Kona EV had a Winter mode that heated the battery in winter when charging and when driving. Not sure if the Solterra has such a setting. Still charging at a fast charger in winter was much slower. And this is in Vancouver, where winter cold is more like 0C, not -22C. So yeah, winter is a tough time for EVs.

 

[Villeneuve80]

That's very concerning when you live in a place where -22F is not unusual in the winter. I'm expecting that cold weather will impact charge time and range (like any other EV on the market), but not being able to use the car at all... Why are they even considering to sell this car in Canada if it's the case? Or are they writing this to cover their a... just in case.

This this a warning that if not plugged in and you let the battery go down to -30ºC then yes it might not work and that’s basically the same for any EV and even car. Also remember that it takes a long time for a heavy battery to cool down to that temp. Even if you left the car unplugged at -30º for a couple of hours it will not have the time to cool down to -30º sarting at a 10-15º operating temp. We have the exact same warning with the Jeep 4xe and not problem at all with the cold winter we just past with multiple days below or at that temp.

 

[ib3]

This this a warning that if not plugged in and you let the battery go down to -30ºC then yes it might not work and that’s basically the same for any EV and even car. Also remember that it takes a long time for a heavy battery to cool down to that temp. Even if you left the car unplugged at -30º for a couple of hours it will not have the time to cool down to -30º sarting at a 10-15º operating temp. We have the exact same warning with the Jeep 4xe and not problem at all with the cold winter we just past with multiple days below or at that temp.

Good to know, but what if I go to a ski day, or even at work and let the car sit outside for 8 hours? I hope the battery will have some ways of keeping itself warm using its own power. (Winter mode as said by R P)

 

[Villeneuve80]

Good to know, but what if I go to a ski day, or even at work and let the car sit outside for 8 hours? I hope the battery will have some ways of keeping itself warm using its own power. (Winter mode as said by R P)

I don’t think it can keep itself warm if unplugged, but 8h in the day when there is some sun (most of the cold weather happens when the sky is clear) it is very unlikely that the battery could reach that temp. Only problem will be if you leave it outside for 1-2 days unplugged at - 30ºc and less then yes it might not « start » before warming up a little bit…

 

[bobleon39540]

Could one have solar panels retrofitted (like: https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Extremely-Flexible-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B09W21FRBC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3OQVVDM4EBJKN&keywords=solar+panels+for+cars&qid=1652119879&sprefix=solar+panels+for+cars,aps,73&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyN01RUU81QzNSWDY5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjg0MTc4MVlGQzhRSVhIRk1RTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTUxMzkwMk5YN09ZTzA0OFRHQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1) under the glass roof to heat the batteries just enough to start the vehicle?

 

[bob E]

Could one have solar panels retrofitted (like: https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Extremely-Flexible-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B09W21FRBC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3OQVVDM4EBJKN&keywords=solar+panels+for+cars&qid=1652119879&sprefix=solar+panels+for+cars,aps,73&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyN01RUU81QzNSWDY5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjg0MTc4MVlGQzhRSVhIRk1RTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTUxMzkwMk5YN09ZTzA0OFRHQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1) under the glass roof to heat the batteries just enough to start the vehicle?

I've read several places that the Japanese Limited edition comes with a solar panel in the roof. Perhaps its sole function is to keep the batteries warm.

 

[md.]

What is this

Looks like we've go an update to the press release today!

 

[n6nl]

Maybe Toyota and Subaru should use the production parts delay time (reported yesterday) to test the Panasonic battery pack in the AWD through all of the EPA-required tests (if they didn’t already do that but not submit it) and just delay shipments so that all of these issues cropping up with the choice of CATL as the supplier for North American AWD bZ4X/Solterra just go away. I would much prefer the higher-rate DC charging of the Panasonic cells and would be willing to wait. Admit you didn’t catch this until late testing and move on. Only going to get one chance to make a good impression. Don’t turn this into a Chevy Bolt repeated recall and replacement issue (although that was about pack-caused fires).

There are no updated postings for EPA certifications with the Panasonic pack in the AWD models as of this morning.

 

[Ducatista]

There’s another section in the owner’s manual that says the car (EV system) just won’t operate if it is too cold (~ -22F) and the solution is to wait until it is warmer.

I think a lot of this language is legal stuff to cover their buts incase some people see an issue in very limited circumstances. Even gas vehicles manuals have a lot of language in them to cover their buts from a legal stand point.

 

[Ducatista]

My Kona EV had a Winter mode that heated the battery in winter when charging and when driving. Not sure if the Solterra has such a setting. Still charging at a fast charger in winter was much slower. And this is in Vancouver, where winter cold is more like 0C, not -22C. So yeah, winter is a tough time for EVs.

The Solterra has a traction battery heater that heats the battery when charging and/or driving if needed. I don't know if it turns on automatically when the car is 'off' in order to maintain a safe emergency temperature for the battery though.

 

[442]

I think a lot of this language is legal stuff to cover their buts incase some people see an issue in very limited circumstances. Even gas vehicles manuals have a lot of language in them to cover their buts from a legal stand point.

Yes, but fun to read nonetheless.

And for the record, in case anyone hasn't read it, there are battery heating and cooling systems -- so you probably have to really try to get into situations where these legalese scenarios would occur.

 

[Crumas]

The Solterra has a traction battery heater that heats the battery when charging and/or driving if needed. I don't know if it turns on automatically when the car is 'off' in order to maintain a safe emergency temperature for the battery though.

I’m not saying you’re wrong (because you might very well be correct), but do you have a link to anything in writing regarding the battery heater? That’s something I’ve been looking for information on.

 

[Ducatista]

I’m not saying you’re wrong (because you might very well be correct), but do you have a link to anything in writing regarding the battery heater? That’s something I’ve been looking for information on.

It’s in the owners manual that was published online. Explains how it works fairly well. Starts on Page 97.

 

[Ducatista]

It’s in the owners manual that was published online. Explains how it works fairly well. Starts on Page 97.