The entire weight of development in the automotive industry has shifted toward the emerging extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology and platforms that will underpin the next generation of vehicles. These utilize a gas engine to act as a generator instead of driving the wheels. This is the most efficient use of a combustion engine, while the electric motors on the axle don’t need a massive battery to power them, weigh them down, and cause range anxiety. Now, Toyota is jumping on board the EREV train, with next-gen Toyota Highlander SUVs and Toyota Sienna minivans getting the new tech, likely retrofitted to an old platform.
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