2016 Tesla Model X on 2040-cars

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Toyota still wants Tesla's battery help, still evaluating RAV4 EV program

Tesla Motors said earlier this month that the agreement it has with Toyota to supply battery packs for the Toyota RAV4 EV SUV would be finished by the end of the year. The deal is done, but Toyota is now singing its best version of Baby, Please Don't Go. The Japanese automaker may look to extend the battery-pack agreement with California-based Tesla, Automotive News says, citing comments made by Osamu Nagata, who heads Toyota's manufacturing and engineering in North America. Nagata also complimented Tesla for its "clear business strategy." Toyota, which owns 2.5 percent of Tesla, started the RAV4 EV collaboration in 2012, in which Tesla was to make about 2,600 battery packs for the all-electric SUV. That agreement was estimated to be worth about $100 million. "We are also evaluating the RAV4 EV program and will have more to say at a later date" – Toyota "We have a good relationship with Tesla and will evaluate the feasibility of working together on future projects," Toyota said in a statement e-mailed to AutoblogGreen. "We are also evaluating the RAV4 EV program and will have more to say at a later date." And while Toyota hasn't quite met initial sales expectations – it sold about 1,600 of the RAV4 EVs through this spring – the company expects to reach 2,500 by the end of the year. And the partnership did generate about $15 million in revenue for Tesla, according to that company's first-quarter letter to shareholders. That said, Tesla is obviously focusing its battery-making efforts on its own models.

First Apple Watch app for Tesla Model S is here, thanks to Eleks

Modern technology is the science fiction of three decades ago. For example, not very long from now you may be able to control many of your car's functions directly from a watch, specifically the Apple Watch. While the wearable smart device isn't even on sale yet, the software developers at Eleks Labs already have a demo version of the Tesla iPhone app running on the gadget (operating in an emulator in the video above), and the programmers believe even more features could be possible later. The Apple Watch version of the app shrinks and streamlines the standard software to fit on your wrist. It still offers much the same functionality, though. The main screen shows the state of charge, range, and whether the Model S is locked, but by scrolling through the pages, users can also do things like open the doors, reposition the moonroof, adjust the climate control while away from the vehicle and much more. It's looks quite handy. There is a big downside to all of the features on the watch's app at the moment, though. According to Eleks Labs, the software development kit for the Apple Watch currently only lets programmers use the device as a bridge for the user's iPhone. That means people must keep their phone on them at all times to get any functionality on their wrist. Some of the gadget's controls are also still being limited, like its Digital Crown scroll wheel. It's not all bad news, though. The developers think additional functionality could be unlocked closer to when the Apple Watch goes on sale. It's possible future apps for the device might not even need to use the phone. While the demo is just a third-party app for now, Eleks Labs hopes to make it official. "Our biggest interest is to cooperate with Tesla to create true omnichannel experience across the car, the app and the watch. We're sure that Tesla owners would benefit most from this option. So we'll try to get in touch with Tesla Motors and arrange this," said Markiyan Matsekh, Product Manager for Mobility and Wearables at Eleks Labs, to Autoblog. Related Video:

Porsche Taycan 4S, Ferrari Roma and a tuned Ford Ranger | Autoblog Podcast #624

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder to recap Earth Day 2020 coverage, including a first drive and range test of the 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S, Tesla and the state of the EV industry, and what we think are the best green cars of all time. Then they shift gears to talk about the Ranger pickup getting a tuning package from Ford, as well as their own dives through the Ferrari Roma configurator. They discuss the cars they've been driving — the 2020 VW Jetta and our long-term 2019 Subaru Forester. Lastly, they reach into the mailbag to help a listener buy a used car. Autoblog Podcast #624 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Earth Day recap 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S Tesla and the EV industry The best green cars of all time Ranger gets a tuning package from Ford Configuring the Ferrari Roma Cars we're driving 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 2019 Subaru Forester long-term update Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: