TOYOTA REVEALS ANSWER TO ERA OF ELECTRIC CARS
Toyota shows some future products
Toyota showed not one but 16 future concept vehicles using electric technology to address the doubts about its future in the upcoming era of electric cars on Tuesday (12/14/2021).
Akio Toyota, President of Toyota Motor Corp., revealed that the concepts would shape the future Toyota line-up. All Toyota models will employ zero-emission technology, be it sedans, small vehicles, or SUVs.
The president said this is Toyota's strategy to achieve carbon neutrality, especially battery-electric vehicles which are the most promising technology today. In addition, the presence of various models of future cars is Toyota's way to meet the needs of every consumer, which is impossible to be fulfilled by just one concept.
Akio revealed that there are two categories of electric vehicles. The first is carbon-reducing vehicles, which means they still use fossil fuel and produce CO2, although at a much reduced rate. The second category is carbon-neutral vehicles, which run on clean energy and emit zero emissions — precisely the idea that serves as the basis of the development of the Toyota bZ series.
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"This bZ model means beyond Zero, which employs EV batteries. It still offers freedom of movement and fun to drive,” Akio said. “Our goal is not only to reduce CO2 emissions and other negative impacts to zero, but our goal goes beyond that."
Toyota has revealed that the bZ4X, which it worked with Subaru, will play in the SUV market that offers freedom of maneuver in all terrains. This model will be launched next year and produced at Toyota's Motomachi plant and will soon be delivered to consumers.
Akio also presented two concept models with an SUV style and a compact SUV to address the needs of the growing SUV market. Toyota puts forward a size accepted by various markets around the world and makes products affordable.
The small size of the vehicle makes the battery size also more diminutive. Toyota concentrates on efficient power to run electric cars the longest distance. Akio claims that Toyota is currently eyeing a 125 watt-hour per kilometer consumption that will be felt in its compact SUV model. He also presented a large SUV concept model with three seats and a sporty sedan.
"Today, Toyota has offered more than 100 models of conventional, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles in more than 170 countries. Lexus has introduced 30 naturally aspirated engines, hybrid electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles in more than 90 countries and regions. Toyota plans to introduce 30 EV battery models by 2030 globally, both in the passenger and commercial vehicle segments," said Akio.
Several of these concept cars have attracted extra attention, such as the Lexus RZ concept, which offers a sporty form and the ability to travel up to 700 kilometers thanks to the development of the Sports Battery EV. Lexus will develop a sports BEV that offers driving pleasure and maximum performance like the legendary LFA products.
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Toyota also hopes to sell 3.5 million BEV vehicles globally by 2030. Lexus itself has a target by 2030 to offer 100 percent electric vehicles in the European, North American, and Chinese markets.
The Japanese car manufacturer has a long history of developing electric vehicles. In 1997 Toyota introduced the Prius as the world's first hybrid vehicle. Before that, Toyota EV development, long before the Prius, in 1992 founded the electric vehicle division, and its development includes displaying the RAV4 EV for the global market.
In the 2000s, Toyota demonstrated the concept of a tiny e-com commuter vehicle. In 2012 Toyota introduced COMS and eQ as the answer to lightweight mobility in a mini size. Some have been shown in Indonesia, C+Pod, and C+walk, including e-Pallete for various needs.
"Over 26 years, Toyota has invested almost 1 trillion yen and produced 19 million batteries. We believe our experience in the electric vehicle field will be an important capital for an increasingly competitive market in the future. We will increase our 2 trillion yen investment in electric vehicle batteries to make them more efficient, sophisticated, higher quality, and more affordable," said Toyoda.
