Locator: 48692TOYOTA.
Toyota, link here:
okay, it's been 25+ years of folks telling us charging times weren't
that big of an issue, and then this with one of the best names in the
automotive industry:
From the link:
The Toyota bZ4X—now the bZ—has come a long way.
What started as a mediocre taxi-spec electric vehicle has now grown up into something you might actually want to own. I drove it in Texas this week and nearly every aspect of it felt improved: It now has more range, more features and even a Tesla-style charging port right from the factory.
However, in one key area, it's still the same as the outgoing version: maximum charging speed, which is still capped at 150 kilowatts. Slow charging speeds were one of the biggest complaints for existing bZ4X owners.
For cabbies in cities like New York who drive the bZ4X all day, spending 45 minutes to an hour at a charging station can mean losing money and passengers. So why hasn’t Toyota pushed the new bZ into a fast-charging EV like some of its rivals? It all comes down to production costs, Toyota said.
Interestingly, another article extolling the virtues of this "car" fails to mention how long it takes to charge this EV.
From ChatGPT when asked how long it takes to charge this EV. Can you imagine having a car salesman explain all this to you?
The 2026 Toyota bZ (formerly known as the bZ4X) offers various charging options, each with different charging times (basically all slow):
DC Fast Charging (Level 3)
Charging Time: Approximately 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
Maximum Charging Speed: 150 kW.
Note: While the charging speed is capped at 150 kW, improvements such as battery pre-conditioning and an enhanced charging curve have been implemented to maintain higher charging speeds for longer durations, enhancing real-world charging efficiency.
Level 2 Charging (240V)
Charging Time: Approximately 9.5 hours to charge from low battery to 100% using a 32A charger.
Onboard Charger: Higher trims are equipped with a 22 kW onboard charger, which can significantly reduce charging times if connected to a compatible high-power Level 2 charger.
Level 1 Charging (120V)
Charging Time: Approximately 50 hours to charge from low battery to 100% using a standard household outlet.
Bottom line: It’s important to note that while the 2026 Toyota bZ has made strides in improving charging efficiency, its maximum DC fast charging speed remains at 150 kW, which is modest compared to some competitors. However, the enhancements in charging curve and battery pre-conditioning contribute to a more consistent and efficient charging experience.
EVs: this pretty much says it all, but there is much more to the story, albeit a very confusing story. Link here.
Raise your hand if you saw this coming. After exiting the US a couple of years ago, the purely electric MX-30 is also dead in Europe (including the UK). We noticed the model’s absence from several configurators across the Old Continent, so we contacted Mazda to find out what’s happening. Sure enough, the small crossover without a combustion engine has been quietly retired.
