Toyota unveils 16 new battery electric models

TOYOTA global president Akio Toyoda has introduced no fewer than 16 new battery-electric vehicles at Toyota's Megaweb showcase in Tokyo this week, while simultaneously reiterating that the Aichi-based company planned to transform Lexus into an electric-only brand by 2035.

Toyoda-san says the models are part of an ¥8 trillion (A$98 billion) investment in electrified vehicles and technologies that will elevate the company’s global BEV sales target to 3.5 million vehicles annually by 2030; Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) plans to roll out as many as 30 carbon-reducing and carbon-neutral vehicles and technologies over the next eight years.

The numbers represent an increase of 75 per cent on the previous annual sales projection of two million BEVs, which was issued in May. 

TMC says that of the investment funds will be devoted to research and development and capital expenditure for BEVs, while the other half will be dedicated to hybrid-electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV).

The total includes ¥2 trillion (A$24.7 billion) – one-third higher than the ¥1.5 trillion (A$18.5 billion) announced in September – to accelerate the development of more advanced, high-quality and affordable batteries. 

Toyoda-san said TMC was committed to offering carbon-reducing and -neutral vehicles at an affordable price, while addressing the needs of customers with varying vehicular requirements.

"We will not only add battery EV options to existing vehicle models, but offer a full line-up of reasonably priced mass-production models, such as the bZ series, to meet the needs of all kinds of customers," he said.

"We can position batteries and electric motors to bring more freedom to battery EVs. This freedom will allow us to be more attuned to our customers, such as by meeting the various needs of different regions, the various lifestyles of our customers and, when it comes to commercial vehicles, everything from long-distance transport to last-mile delivery."

TMC said because every market had its own specific energy requirements, the firm would offer a diverse range of carbon-reducing and carbon-neutral vehicles to suit both established- and developing markets.

"That is exactly why Toyota is committed to providing a diversified range of carbon-neutral options to meet whatever might be the needs and situations in every country and region. It is not us, but local markets and customers, who decide which options to choose," Toyoda-san added.

The 16 battery-electric vehicles displayed at Toyota's Megaweb event included five bZ branded vehicles, seven lifestyle models – including light commercial vehicles – and four Lexus models.

Toyoda-san said TMC aimed to electrify the entire Lexus line-up by 2035 – the Megaweb event even showcased an intriguing LFA-inspired all-electric supercar. He said Lexus intended to offer a battery electric vehicle in each segment by the end of the decade, and that BEVs would make up 100 per cent of Lexus’s global sales by 2035 – totalling one million units globally.

The five vehicles from Toyota’s bZ (or beyond Zero) battery electric range include the recently announced bZ4X; a small, medium and large SUV, as well as a lone mid-size sedan. 

At this stage, only the BZ4X is confirmed for Australia. Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor said the model would appear in local showrooms sometime after the model’s international launch in 2022.

"We are absolutely committed to providing our customers with a range of technologies that will help them on their journey to zero emissions based on their individual circumstances, ensuring we leave no-one behind," Mr Callachor said.

"Importantly, Toyota is not limited to a single technical solution because Australians have vastly different motoring needs, with locations from inner cities to suburbs, regional and rural areas and outback Australia.”

Mr Callachor said local buyers are already beginning to make the switch to electrified vehicles, and that there was a strong desire among Australian motorists to reduce their carbon emissions.

"Australians are already buying Toyota hybrid electric vehicles in record numbers, which is significantly reducing the amount of carbon emissions. This demonstrates their support for a cleaner, more sustainable future and affordable, practical options,” he added.

"We have also embraced fuel-cell electric vehicles with the second-generation Mirai, supported by the new Toyota Hydrogen Centre in Melbourne, and we have announced plans to introduce our first battery EV in Australia, the bZ4X SUV.

"All of this adds to our excitement and anticipation around the latest investment Toyota is making in BEVs and our ongoing commitment to sustainable motoring solutions," he concluded.