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Re:Tesla seeks to raise $1.5B to fund Model 3 production by brudgers on Monday August 07, 2017 @01:20PM (#14949207)
They both have combustion/electric hybrids. The operational logistics of battery powered vehicles restrict the range of use cases relative to vehicles that can be quickly refueled using ubiquitous infrastructure -- It is much easier to drive a Tesla into Wyoming than to drive out the other side, while it is no more difficult to drive a Prius across Wyoming than a non-hybrid combustion vehicle.

For a while, when I was more bullish on all electric cars, I think it was because I drew the wrong analogy from my smartphone. Sure, smartphone battery life is inconvenient, but unlike an electric vehicle, I can still use it while it recharges. An electric vehicle isn't useful while plugged in; I cannot run to the hardware store for a new flapper when the toilet is leaking when the battery is low. It's similar to railroad motive power trending toward diesel electric...there are use cases where all electric makes sense and justifies the infrastructure, but not the general case.

Re:Tesla seeks to raise $1.5B to fund Model 3 production by tadfisher on Monday August 07, 2017 @01:41PM (#14949418)
Mazda has no hybrid technology. The recent deal to badge-engineer the Mazda 2 as the Toyota iA in the states is in exchange for Toyota's hybrid technology for some future model.

Mazda has traditionally been extremely negative on electric or other non-ICE powerplants.