Latest news with #NickelMetalHydride
Business Insider
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
I drove Toyota's new Crown Signia wagon. It's Lexus-level luxury at a surprisingly good price.
The base Crown Signia XLE starts at $43,590. My fully-loaded Crown Signia Limited loaner started at $47,990. Freight fees and a handful of tech options raised the as-tested price to $52,074. The Crown Signia is a bit more expensive than a fully-loaded Subaru Outback, which tops out at around $45,000, but it's still cheaper than the last Nissan Murano we tested, which cost $55,000. The Crown Signia's wagon styling is a real standout. The Crown's sedan-like, wide stance also contributes to the wagon's looks. The Crown Signia is powered by the latest version of Toyota's hybrid system, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The 188 horsepower, naturally aspirated inline-four-cylinder engine is paired with a 180-horsepower electric motor, driving the front wheels through Toyota's electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. Out back is a small 1.15 kWh Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack, and a rear axle-mounted 54 horsepower electric motor that gives the Crown Signia an on-demand electronic all-wheel drive system. Total system output is 240 horsepower. It's a similar setup to the latest Toyota Camry and Highlander hybrid. The 4,200-lb Crown Signia boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined. That's a whopping 16 mpg more than the non-hybrid Nissan Murano and four mpg more than the comparable Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. The Crown Signia's a relaxed cruiser. Despite delivering solid acceleration off the line with a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds according to Toyota, speed and handling prowess are not the Crown Signia's primary selling points. In fact, its engine, like that of most vehicles powered by the Toyota Hybrid System, can be uncharacteristically loud under hard acceleration. But that's only if you keep your right foot planted, trying to wring every horsepower out of its engine. Avoid driving it like you're starring in the next Fast and Furious film, and the Crown Signia will reward you with a quiet and refined experience worthy of a much more expensive luxury car. Toyota delivered a finely crafted cabin worthy of a luxury car. The Crown Signia combines the thoughtful functionality and build quality of the Camry sedan with the styling and high-class materials worthy of Toyota's Lexus premium brand. Cabin ergonomics are impeccable, with a great mix of logically located digital and physical controls. Soft-touch materials have been strategically placed at high-contact areas. There is also plenty of in-cabin storage with its ingenious center console-mounted vertical wireless phone charger, the best I've ever used. My test car came equipped with a large panoramic glass roof that looks great but strangely does not open. The Crown Signia offers a laundry list of the latest automotive tech features. The Crown Signia's tech suite is built around a 12.3-inch digital instrument display in front of the driver and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the center stack. Both are standard on all trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system is one of the most idiot-proof systems on the market. The navigation map is the default screen, and submenus are kept to a minimum. All Crown Signias come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They also all come standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes adaptive cruise control (DRCC), lane departure alert with steering assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Toyota's adaptive cruise control and lane centering system, although not hands-free, has seen great improvement in recent years. Overall, it's pretty simple to use, does a good job of keeping you centered in the lane. The cabin and seats in my test car were covered in a rich saddle tan leather. The heat and ventilated seats were not only beautifully stitched but also incredibly comfortable. The rear seat passengers enjoy an equally plush experience. The leather-lined rear cabin delivers a spacious 37 inches of legroom, comparable to a premium economy seat on an airplane. The rear bench is also heated, and its passengers have access to a pair of USB-C sockets. Cargo capacity is solid, but not the Crown Signia's strongest attribute. With 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, the Toyota offers eight cubic feet less than the Nissan Murano and Subaru Outback. My verdict: The Toyota Crown Signia is a stylish, refined, efficient hybrid wagon that's surprisingly good value for money. As wagons grow increasingly rare in the automotive marketplace, it's refreshing to see a major mainstream brand not only introduce a wagon, but also one so beautifully put together. The Crown Signia, sold in Toyota's homeland as the Crown Estate, had a lot to live up to considering the nameplate it wears. But it's come through with flying colors. Toyota has given America a most unexpected midsize wagon that's stylish, refined, efficient, and, at a fully loaded price of $52,000, solid value for money.
Globe and Mail
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Battery Material Market to Grow at 6.0% CAGR from 2024-2031, with China Leading the Asia-Pacific Share
Global Battery Material Market reached US$ 52.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 84.0 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period 2024-2031. The battery material market involves the production and supply of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and electrolytes, essential for manufacturing high-performance batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. As global demand for cleaner energy solutions increases, particularly for electric vehicles and energy storage, the market has experienced rapid growth. Lithium-ion batteries, known for their high energy density and long lifespan, dominate the market. The push for sustainability has spurred advancements in battery recycling and the search for alternative materials to reduce reliance on scarce resources. The dynamics of supply and demand for these materials are influenced by technological advancements, geopolitical factors, and global trends. Market Size: Global Battery Material Market reached US$ 52.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 84.0 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period 2024-2031. Market Dynamics: As countries globally shift towards renewable energy, the demand for battery materials is growing, as batteries are essential for storing electricity generated by sources like solar and wind power to ensure a consistent energy supply. In 2022, the U.S. passed legislation to invest billions in green energy technologies, including solar, wind power, electric vehicles, and advanced battery storage. These investments aim to create jobs, reduce emissions, and support a sustainable future, driving significant growth in battery manufacturing in the region. Market Segments: On the basis of Battery Type the market is sub divided into Lithium-Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride, Nickel Cadmium, Lead Acid On the basis of End-User, the market is classified as Automotive Manufacturers, Battery Manufacturers, Energy Providers, Research Institutions On the basis of regions, the market is segmented as North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa Unmet Needs: The battery material market faces several unmet needs, including supply chain risks due to the scarcity of key materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. There is also a need for more sustainable materials and improved recycling technologies to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, advancements in alternative battery technologies, such as solid-state batteries, are required to enhance performance and energy density. Ensuring the affordability and scalability of materials is crucial for widespread adoption, addressing these needs will be key to the market's sustainable growth. Sustainability: Ongoing innovation in battery technologies improves efficiency, energy density, and performance. Increasing focus on sourcing materials responsibly to minimize environmental impact. Developing efficient recycling processes to reduce reliance on mining and decrease waste. Diversifying sources of critical materials to reduce geopolitical and supply chain risks. Research into new, sustainable materials that can reduce dependence on scarce resources like cobalt and nickel. Regional Overview: China holds the largest share of the battery materials market in the Asia-Pacific region and is a key leader in the market. The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, driven by their increasing use in consumer electronics, automotive applications, and energy storage systems, is expected to fuel the growth of the battery materials market in the region. Key Companies: The major global players include LG Chem, Amperex Technology Limited, Panasonic Corporation, Tesla Motors, BYD Company Ltd., Johnson Control Inc., GS Yuasa Corporation, A123 Systems, Samsung SDI Co Ltd, SAFT Corporation. Key Developments: On June 19, 2023, EIT InnoEnergy and BASQUEVOLT unveiled Europe's first innovation center to develop 100% European solid-state battery technology. On June 13, 2023, Toyota announced that they are pivoting its focus to electric vehicles, announcing the introduction of high-performance, solid-state batteries and other advanced technologies In June, 2023, report by Bloomberg, the Phoenix cell, developed by Chinese startup Greater Bay Technology, is the world's first electric vehicle (EV) battery made from superconducting materials and has the ability to work in any vehicle, this revolutionary new battery has the capability to bring freezing temperatures to normal room temperature in only five minutes. Media Contact Company Name: DataM Intelligence Contact Person: Sai Kiran Email: Send Email Phone: 08774414866 Address: DATAM INTELLIGENCE 4MARKET RESEARCH LLP Ground floor, DSL Abacus IT Park, Industrial Development Area, Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039 City: HYDERABAD State: Telangana Country: India Website:
