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A study conducted by utility company National Grid suggests that highway truck stops setting up for EVs in the next two decades could require the same amount of power as a small town might use.Based on current traffic patterns, the study found, many highway charging sites (the equivalent to a highway gas station) will require 20 or more fast-chargers to meet EV demand.The study focused on 71 highway sites in New York and Massachusetts with an eye toward finding solutions to “future proof” U.S. highways for the EV era.There are a lot of hurdles to clear between where our infrastructure sits now and the seemingly inevitable future of widespread electric-vehicle use. A new study from utility company National Grid is showing just how tall some of those hurdles may be. More on EV ChargingThe study examined traffic patterns and projected charger use at 71 highway sites throughout New York and Massachusetts and considered relevant EV sales goals/mandates, based on a scenario in which all light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. are electric by 2035 and all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold are EVs by 2045. Think of the highway sites as being equivalent to a highway truck stop or gas station. According to the study, in the next 10 years more than a quarter of the sites studied will require 20 or more fast-chargers, or the equivalent power of a sports stadium, to meet demand during peak hours. National Grid’s analysis of EV charging capacity changes in the Northeast.National GridAs things stand now, fast-charging along American highways is still in the embryonic stage. To find 20 chargers in one spot, at least outside California and outside the Tesla Supercharger network, is nowhere near the norm. Sometimes, finding an open charger is only half the battle; finding a fast-charger in working order becomes even harder. Gas stations may be able to get by with only four or six pumps, but charging most EVs takes considerably longer than pumping a tank of gas, meaning there will be more time for potential overlap at the charger.According to the findings, in 10 years more than a quarter of sites studied will require the same amount of power as an outdoor sports stadium to meet charging demand, with some requiring the same power as a small town within the next two decades. The study suggests plugging into the existing high-voltage electrical grid to “future-proof” high traffic areas on the highway. Conveniently, the study notes, these transmission lines already tend to mirror highway routes. Equivalent to a Small TownSites acting as electrified truck stops could require the same amount of energy needed to power a small town. Size and weight are especially important for electric vehicles. Take the nearly 10,000-pound GMC Hummer EV, with its 2923-pound battery, which took an hour and 49 minutes to get from 10 to 90 percent state of charge. On the other hand, the 4800-pound Taycan, which accepts a lower peak power input than the Hummer, is able to charge from 5 to 80 percent state of charge in a claimed 23 minutes. It’s not hard to think about how a parking lot full of electric semi-trucks, all towing roughly 40 tons, would require a huge power output.”No Regrets”Transitioning our highway infrastructure will not, and can not effectively switch overnight. Of the $5 billion the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law from last year promised, the first $900 million or so has been approved for EV chargers to cover 53,000 miles of highway throughout the country.In its summary of the study, National Grid says a goal is to figure out how to do “no regrets” upgrades at “no-regrets” sites—”so we can build grid infrastructure once, and build it right.” In what seems like an understatement, the power company says upgrading and building high-voltage interconnections along highways “can take years,” which is the points of its study urging the industry to plan ahead for it now. One thing is for certain: the highway landscape is going to look different—and much more electrified—10 and 20 years into the future.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

The first images and bits of information about the 2023 Toyota Prius are here.This is the Japan-spec model, which offers a reworked hybrid drivetrain with 193 hp for the standard hybrid and 220 hp for the plug-in hybrid.Details about the U.S.-spec 2023 Prius are coming tomorrow, so stay tuned.Toyota has taken the cover off the new 2023 Prius, as the first images and details about the Japan-spec car have arrived. While it’s instantly recognizable as a Prius thanks to its teardrop shape, the lower stance, far sleeker side profile, and interesting-looking headlights and taillights take it to an entirely new realm in terms of design.Open GalleryThe new fifth-gen Prius is also significantly more powerful than before, with Toyota claiming that the reworked hybrid system produces 193 hp in standard form and 220 hp in the plug-in-hybrid model. A 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine replaces the old 1.8-liter unit. The U.S. version may have slightly different specs, but it’s clear that there will be lots more grunt on offer than the current model, which has a combined output of just 121 hp.ToyotaThe single image of the interior shows a large horizontally oriented touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster on a tablet-style screen behind the steering wheel, and a row of buttons on the dash for the climate controls. The chunky steering wheel is similar to what’s in the bZ4X EV, and the shifter on the center console appears similar to the joystick-style unit we’re familiar with from the old Prius.Toyota will be releasing more details on the U.S.-spec Prius soon, so check back here in the evening of November 16 to learn all about this new generation of the hybrid hatchback.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

Genesis has revealed the X Convertible concept ahead of the Los Angeles auto show.The concept builds on the previous X show cars with a folding hardtop convertible setup.The X Convertible will sadly likely never become a reality. The 2021 Genesis X concept showed off the Korean luxury brand’s assertive and crisp design language, while the X Speedium Coupe concept from this summer built on that look with a longer, gracefully sloping roofline and a new lighting signature to indicate the car’s electric powertrain. Today, Genesis continued the series by unveiling the X Convertible concept at an event ahead of the Los Angeles auto show. Unsurprisingly, the X Convertible is a strikingly beautiful design, thanks to strong proportions and clean but defined lines. The concept has a long wheelbase with a short front overhang, with miles of hood stretching out in front of the windshield. Powerful creases over the incredibly intricate and large wheels provide a dynamic stance. The distinctive headlights that form the triangular “grille” shape are carried over from the X Speedium, while the convertible ends in a ducktail spoiler. The X Convertible’s folding-hardtop roof includes integrated transparent moonroofs.The interior retains the same design as the previous two concepts, with the digital dash and infotainment screen sharing an L-shaped piece of glass angled toward the driver. The wool fabric throughout the cabin is recyclable, and the seats are wrapped in leather. The interior color combo, Giwa Navy and Dancheong Orange, is “inspired in part by traditional Korean roof architecture”—Genesis informs us that Giwa are the roof tiles on Korean houses and Dancheong is the “traditional decorative colorings on traditional Korean wooden buildings.” You learn something new every day.More about GenesisGenesis revealed no technical details about the X Convertible, simply stating that it uses the same electric powertrain and architecture as the previous two X concepts. The X Convertible has two doors but can seat four passengers, although we’d imagine the rear seats are a bit cramped like most sports cars. Like the other two X concepts, the X Convertible will probably never reach production, but we’re hoping the eye-catching design is a harbinger of good things to come for the future of the Genesis brand.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More