Tokyo Motor Show
Press days are underway at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show. This is what we’re seeing so far. Lexus premiered the "LS+ Concept". Their "Highway Teammate" allows automated driving from the time you enter a highway to the exit ramp. They expect it to be on the road in 2020.
Toyota is revealing the Fine-Comfort Ride concept. The fuel cell vehicle runs on electric power using hydrogen as an energy source. Toyota says the range is 621 miles, and refueling takes about three minutes.
We’re also seeing the latest additions to the "TOYOTA Concept-i" series. Along with the model revealed in January, they’re adding the smaller two seater Concept-i RIDE. There’s also a scooter type called Concept-i WALK. They all use artificial intelligence to work with the driver.
After weeks of teasing, we’re finally seeing the MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT. The all-electric concept includes an onboard Artificial Intelligence Personal Assistant. Three motors propel the 4WD system, one up front and two in the rear.
We’ll have updates throughout the day, so stay connected to motorweek.org
Kia EV NACS Adapters Arriving Soon
October 1, 2024 Alright, for our EV owners out there, picture this: Your weekend grocery shopping trip was going smoothly, reusable bags and shopping list at the ready, and plans to charge up at the station closest to the door set in motion. But upon pulling into the lot, said plan falls apart when you find every charger occupied, minus a few nearby Tesla Superchargers.
Often critiqued for a lack of infrastructure, the electric vehicle market is attempting to curve this reality of public charging by adopting the North American Charging Standard, the charging system used by Tesla and now open for other brands to use. Kia has announced their switch to NACS, and have now confirmed that new owners of their all-electric EV6 and EV9 SUVs will receive a free NACS adapter if they bought their vehicle on or after September 4, 2024.
Delivery of NACS adapters is expected in early 2025. If customers purchased a Kia EV6, EV9 and Niro EV before September 4, they will be able to purchase an adapter at a later date from an authorized Kia dealer. Pricing for the adapters has not been confirmed, but owners should be able to capitalize on the switch to NACS on January 15, 2025. Kia EV owners will have the ability to pay for charging through the Kia Access app after vehicle software upgrades.
The Tesla Supercharger network is considered by many to be one of, if not the most robust electric vehicle charging grids in North America. Switching over to a unified system should help bolster the nation’s EV infrastructure.