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Everyone recharges differently. Some people need a full weekend curled up with a book and a blanket. Others need to be actively doing something—gaming, building, writing, or meditating to the rhythmic sound of their feet against the ground. But no matter how we get outside of ourselves, there’s likely gear involved. The best case scenario is for the technology and products that support our passions to be designed around our needs: handheld gaming systems sculpted for the ergonomics of the human hand, or running shoes perfectly suited to the terrain you’re about to tackle.
Tech blogger Rashid Epps and ultrarunner Molly Seidel have two very different passions, but nonetheless, have figured out what works for them to do their best work. Whether that means taking a gaming rig on the road, or taking runs far off the road, both have tapped into the shared design philosophy across Toyota's battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup, with Toyota's all-electric bZ and bZ Woodland helping them get into the environments they love and push their passions forward.
Taking It to the Streets
When your job is to be plugged-in to the latest tech news while also glued to a screen all day, it can make the outside world seem nigh untouchable. That's the daily conundrum facing Rashid Epps. A gamer, tech blogger, and former software engineer, Epps yearns to bring his gaming life into the city instead of being hemmed in by his apartment. “Usually I'm behind my desk,” he said. “When I look out the window, I just see so much life, and so much fun and opportunity.” That’s when it’s time to hit the road in the all-electric Toyota bZ.
With sporty driving dynamics and an EPA-estimated 314-mile range in XLE FWD Plus trim, the vehicle is a worthy companion for any side-quest Epps can throw at it: cargo space for picking up the latest tech gear, as well as powering his mobile gaming system and all of the cables he needs to stay charged throughout a day of chasing the city's best backdrops. “Of course the game matters [too], because that's what pulls you into this fantasy, but the environment around you also matters,” Epps said. “Being able to plug in and keep going means the experience is never really interrupted.”
That’s because the all-electric bZ’s cargo area doubles as a charging station for Epps' whole setup—controllers, laptop, accessories—so nothing goes dark mid-session. And when the car itself needs power, a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port gets it back to 80% in roughly the time it takes to grab lunch or take a call. “I never would have thought of a car as somewhere I'd want to game,” Epps reflected. “But this changes everything—I can be out in the city and take in all the energy without sacrificing comfort or utility.”
The Mobile Recovery Lab
When it’s time to get out of the city, Molly Seidel runs toward the opportunity. A multi-surface ultrarunner who reached the pinnacle of the field, Seidel is rebuilding her training approach to accommodate and avoid injury, building durability for the punishing terrain of ultramarathons. Any footrace longer than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles qualifies as an “ultra,” and part of the allure of training for that distance is getting off the beaten path. “Every day is a chance to get to go somewhere new, to try out a new trail,” she said.
The all-electric Toyota bZ Woodland is built to get her there and back: standard all-wheel drive and X-MODE keep it planted on rough or slippery terrain, and a 281-mile range (260 with grippier all-terrain tires) means the trailhead doesn't have to be close to home. “I’ve been running for a really long time,” Seidel said. “And being able to seek out new challenges is really appealing to me.”
But “remote” doesn’t necessarily mean disconnected: “I use a lot of tech to track my running,” she said. “Whether that’s charging my watch [or] charging my heart-rate monitor, what’s great about the Toyota bZ Woodland is that I can get power in remote places, even when I'm deep in the woods.” And if night sneaks up on her, the vehicle can turn into a mobile home base for unsupported races by folding down the second passenger row to create a nap zone, and the rear cargo outlet keeping all of her gadgets powered up for the next segment. "I just want to keep exploring, to push myself in a way that I never have before," Seidel said.
One Philosophy, Two Vehicles, Infinite Adventure
The all-electric bZ's human-centered design doesn't stop at the battery; it's built to recharge the people inside it, too. Both vehicles share a 64-color customizable ambient lighting system, heated seating, and ventilated seating on top trims to create a mood for two different kinds of recovery. “I love the little details that make something work better,” said Epps. “And what surprised me about the Toyota bZ is how well everything fits. The space, the outlets, the quiet cabin—it becomes the perfect place to play.”
And that cabin can be a key factor in a successful race. Seidel said, “A run doesn’t start at the trailhead, it starts with really good prep.” Tying the cabin together is a 14-inch touchscreen that allows drivers to check a charging map or the path to a trailhead. “The setup really lets me focus on the experience and be present so I can keep showing up and pushing myself every day.”
The gear we choose to integrate into our lives has to fully support us in the moments that matter, no matter how far off course we go. For Epps, that means a car that keeps up with the way he actually lives. “Good tech should make it easier to do what you already love,” he said. “For me, the Toyota bZ lets me take gaming out of the office and into the world.”
