BYD has been researching "blade" technology for several years. The biggest advantages are increased fire safety and tighter packaging so that they take up less space. Another advantage is that they are LFP-based, i.e. based on Lithium, iron and phosphorus - or put another way: They contain not nickel like other lithium-based batteries (NCM/NCA). These days, nickel can present problems as Russia accounts for a large part of the production.

 

Increased fire safety

The Blade batteries' fire safety has been tested by several people. One penetrates a cell with a pointed metal object. The blade cell then emits a "pop" and smoke, but no fire. If you do the same with a normal lithium cell, the cell explodes in a magnesium-white light. One can imagine the consequences this could have in a car, for example by driving over a pointed metal object.

BYD supplies batteries to Tesla

Today, all BYDs have Tang blade batteries. It also has the new Tesla SR+ (standard range plus). They also get their batteries from BYD. "Everyone" talks about "Solid State" batteries without liquid elements, which make them both lighter and less bulky. There was long speculation as to whether Toyota should choose "Solid State". You could probably say that Blade is a step on the way to "Solid State".

Subaru's new four-wheel drive

Toyota's new electric car model bZ4X (beyond zero four cross) is a welcome addition to electric car-hungry Toyota fans. The Subaru Solterra is essentially the same model as the bZ4X. Both models are produced as front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with a separate electric motor on the rear wheels. There is little doubt that it is the latter variant that will be most popular here at home. Since Subaru has made a profile of only delivering cars with four-wheel drive, it is not inconceivable that they choose to omit front-wheel drive from their model range. They will continue to market the four-wheel system as X-Mode, although Solterra's system is not the same as for the fossil models. Audi did the same when they launched their e-tron as Quattro. But today's solution with a separate electric motor for the rear wheels and an electronically controlled driving program for snow and off-road probably works just as well as the "old" 4-wheel systems. The systems in Audi and Subaru have for many years been considered the world's best.

The off-road characteristics have not been forgotten

Toyota and Subaru address two different customer groups. Subaru owners are likely to make stricter demands on off-road capabilities. Many people probably want to replace their Forester or Outback and don't want to risk smashing the battery packs on the first trip up to the cabin. Toyota (and Subaru) have worked on the off-road properties, including driving in water. The Solterra's ground clearance is a decent 20 cm, which is still 2 cm lower than the Forester and Outback. But the batteries must be fitted into load-bearing structures so that they have protection from the underside. Incidentally, the Forester weighs "only" 1600 kg compared to the Solterra, which seems to end up at around 2 tonnes.

Steering by wire

Another finesse with the new bZ4X and Solterra is "steering-by-wire", i.e. without mechanical transmission between steering wheel and wheels. According to Toyota, the new system should deliver better steering feel than conventional steering. In addition, Toyota will offer joysticks like in an airplane instead of a steering wheel (optional). According to Toyota, you should be able to keep two hands on the "steering wheel" without having to cross your arms while driving. Subaru is not going to offer such a solution.

Medium range

The two new models from Toyota and Subaru will challenge the Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 and Skoda Enyaq in terms of size and performance. Toyota/Subaru can be supplied with two battery packs, one of 71,4 kwh for front-wheel drive - and a pack of 72,8 kwh for four-wheel drive cars. Currently, there is a lot of "hyped" information about ranges. Four-wheel drive cars will, according to all sun brands, end up between 440-460 km WLTP. In terms of experience, the practical daily range is 4/5 of the stated figures, in this case between 350 and 370 km.

Many of the customers for the Toyota bZ4X are likely to come from the Toyota RAV4. They will feel comfortable in the electric car. Subaru owners who want to switch to the Solterra will probably also find themselves comfortable, provided that the cabin is not too rough.

 

Much has been written about who will supply batteries for the Toyota BZ4X in the future. Rumors said Toyota would get Blade batteries from BYD. Maybe BYD supplies batteries to Toyota, but not in cars that come to Norway. Today, Toyota receives batteries from CATL in China. Perhaps only for now, because there is still speculation that Toyota is looking for new partners for batteries.

 

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