Electric Vehicles Take Center Stage for Toyota and Lexus: Expanded 'All Electrified' Lineup and Launch of 10 New Electric Cars
Toyota and Lexus are accelerating their electrification plans, with a focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the coming years.
The Japanese automakers have revealed a swathe of new EVs, including the Lexus Electrified Sport Concept and the Lexus RZ Electric Crossover. The Lexus RZ Electric Crossover shares the same platform as the Toyota bZ4x and is due for release in 2022.
The Lexus Electrified Sport Concept, which will have its UK debut at Goodwood this summer, is Lexus' take on an LFA for the EV age. Toyota believes they have a solid state battery technology that will yield big range, lower cost, and faster charging.
Toyota is partnering with Panasonic to develop the best prismatic battery in the automotive industry, aiming to set new standards for electric vehicles.
Every model in the Toyota and Lexus range will be electrified by around 2025, including hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
The first stage of electrification will focus on introducing BEVs, starting in China and then expanding to Japan, India, the US, Europe, and other markets. Toyota plans active cooperation with governments and partners to promote the expansion of a plug-in charging stations and hydrogen refueling network.
Toyota will also develop the current Toyota Hybrid System II, including a more powerful version and a simpler hybrid setup for entry-level cars. The company plans to introduce 10 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2020.
The Lexus RZ Electric Crossover and the Lexus Electrified Sport Concept are part of Toyota and Lexus' move to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). As of now, there are no specific publicly available details on the exact timeline for Toyota and Lexus regarding the rollout of their plug-in charging infrastructure or the expansion of their hydrogen supply network.
In summary, Toyota and Lexus are making significant strides towards electrifying their entire lineup of vehicles, with a focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The companies are partnering with Panasonic to develop superior battery technology and are actively working to expand charging and hydrogen refueling networks. The first stage of electrification will focus on introducing BEVs, starting in China and then expanding to other markets. Stay tuned for more updates on Toyota and Lexus' electrification plans.
