I've long believed (as mentioned in another post) that auto makers should explore the possibility of offering low-range and high-range variants of their vehicles, purely to help consumers offset upfront costs if a long range vehicle is not required.
It should be simple enough to remove cells from a battery pack, considering all auto makers are moving towards universal platforms for their cars, and as battery cells tend to become more modular. They could even explore low, medium and high-range variants, maybe a 125, 200 and 300 mile option. Build the car around the 300-mile configuration, and remove some of the cells in the build process to produce the low and mid range options. Perhaps battery packs could be added on in the future if a low-range consumer has a life change that requires more range. Adding modular battery cells as an upgrade is not only an ideal solution for the consumer who would otherwise require a new car if the low-range option doesn't work anymore, but it would give Toyota some after-sale business on the vehicle too.
Giving consumers choice and the ability to control some costs isn't the worst idea, as long as it's viable for the auto maker of course.
It should be simple enough to remove cells from a battery pack, considering all auto makers are moving towards universal platforms for their cars, and as battery cells tend to become more modular. They could even explore low, medium and high-range variants, maybe a 125, 200 and 300 mile option. Build the car around the 300-mile configuration, and remove some of the cells in the build process to produce the low and mid range options. Perhaps battery packs could be added on in the future if a low-range consumer has a life change that requires more range. Adding modular battery cells as an upgrade is not only an ideal solution for the consumer who would otherwise require a new car if the low-range option doesn't work anymore, but it would give Toyota some after-sale business on the vehicle too.
Giving consumers choice and the ability to control some costs isn't the worst idea, as long as it's viable for the auto maker of course.
