Toyota gets busy with preview of 15 bZ EVs

There’s a slightly unflattering picture of Toyota regarding electrification, as it shied away from making a full-on commitment to electric vehicles (EVs) unlike its rivals. Company president Akio Toyoda remarks that EVs are not the sole solution towards sustainability certainly didn’t help matters. 

Toyota Media Briefing on Battery EV Strategies

But then, Japan’s biggest automaker showed that it had mastered the art of misdirection. At a media briefing held on Wednesday, December 14, Toyota laid out its strategy for achieving carbon neutrality. While the company is more readily associated with hydrogen as far as efforts toward zero emissions are concerned, what came as a shock during the event was the reveal of no less than 15 planned models – all battery EVs. 

Toyoda still maintained that electrification shouldn’t be relied upon as the only way to achieve sustainable mobility. “That is why Toyota wants to prepare as many options as possible for our customers around the world,” he said. “Today, we would like to present you what we have been preparing for the future.” 

Toyota president Akio Toyoda wants to have all bases covered [Image: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK Photo Agency]

And what a future it is. Leading the pack is Toyota’s line of dedicated battery EVs carrying the bZ name, which stands for going “beyond Zero” emissions. The range is headlined by the bZ4X, which already made its world premiere in October and is already on its way to mass production in Japan. Jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, the compact crossover is the first to use the e-TNGA platform.   

The bZ4X has now spawned an entire series dedicated to the carbon neutrality cause. This includes an urban crossover and midsize sedan as well as midsize and large SUVs, the latter with three seating rows for families.

The bZ4X compact crossover is on its way to mass production [Image: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK Photo Agency]

Toyota also previewed the upcoming electric crossover for its Lexus luxury division, with the vehicle carrying the RZ designation. This was accompanied by a next-generation EV sports car, which builds on the performance gains from the development of the LFA. The rest of the upcoming Lexus EV lineup included a four-seater electric convertible and a wagon.       

Other planned models shown during the conference are an electric pickup truck and a new midsize electric SUV in the vein of the FJ Cruiser. These were joined by the Small SU EV, the Crossover EV, and a two-seater electric sports car. Commercial vehicles were also represented by the Mid Box and Micro Box, providing emissions-free mobility for commuter and cargo transport in the city.  

Quite sneaky of Toyota to have been hiding these gems all along [Image: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK Photo Agency]

Toyota is aiming for 3.5 million EV sales worldwide annually by 2030. Meanwhile, Lexus plans to have a full lineup of battery EVs in all vehicle segments by 2030, with these making up 100 percent of global sales by 2035. 

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