The champion of the hybrid car will make a detour by the electric. Toyota has presented a very ambitious plan with no less than 17 concepts of zero emission vehicles.
Indeed, until the presentation of its bZ4X, Toyota’s strategy was particularly vague in terms of electrification. The Japanese group, leader in full hybrid engine technology, was even suspected of wanting to skip the 100% electric stage to head for the hydrogen engine on which it has also gained a certain lead.
According to the last presentation of its president, Akio Toyoda, the time is no longer for procrastination. The one who expressed his doubts about the very interest of the 100% electric vehicle a year ago, before the Japanese Association of Automobile Manufacturers, has just unveiled 17.
These are in reality concept cars distributed among the various brands of the group, but which should, for the most part, lead to commercial models. Toyota will rely on the bZ range that it will share with Subaru. On the program: a crossover, an SUV and even a sedan, but before these medium-term projects, it is indeed an electric replacement for the CH-R that seems to be emerging.
Lexus and Subaru will also be electrified
Among the more anecdotal projects, we will note an electric pick-up taking the features of the famous Tundra, a small autonomous shuttle or a roadster. Regarding these atypical models, no details were provided.
On the other hand, the plans seem clearer for Lexus, Toyota’s premium brand. The latter has four concepts with a sedan, two SUVs, including the RZ450e and the officialization of the LF-Z Electrified Concept presented last June.
The luxury brand goes even further by announcing an electric GT with explosive capabilities. Indeed, it is presented as an electric version of the LF-A, with a range of 700 km and a 0 to 100 km / h in less than two seconds.
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For now, it is difficult to say how many of these projects will materialize, especially if we take into account Toyota’s past mistrust of 100% electric motors.
However, his boss openly aims a target of 3.5 million sales by 2030. To achieve this result, the group would provide no less than 30 electric models in its catalog.
Toyota has walked the talk by also announcing an investment of 15.6 billion euros to develop these ranges, as well as the batteries that will equip them.