For the last decade, the policy of most legacy automakers has been to talk big about EVs, while doing little or nothing to sell any. Now, ironically, Toyota may be turning this time-honored formula backwards. The company broadcasts anti-EV misinformation in TV ads and executive speeches, and lobbies governments to water down support for EV… Read more »
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Toyota actively lobbies against support for EVs
Toyota has earned a place in the history of transport electrification. The Japanese automaker’s introduction of the Prius hybrid in 1997 was a milestone. Since then, the company has sold some 15 million hybrids worldwide, and has gradually added hybrid powertrains to more of its offerings—a majority of Toyota and Lexus models are now available… Read more »
Has Toyota seen the electric light? New electric SUV, first of a new BEV line, unveiled in Shanghai
At this week’s Auto Shanghai motor show, Toyota unveiled a concept version of a new electric SUV, the bZ4X, which will be the first in a new line of battery-electric vehicles. The Japanese giant now says it plans to introduce 15 BEV models by 2025, including 7 models in the bZ series (the name stands… Read more »
Toyota announces new EV platform, revamped version of fuel cell-powered Mirai
Toyota has announced that it will someday release a preview of a possible electric SUV for the European market. Details are “to be announced in the coming months.” The unnamed “preview model” will be based on Toyota’s new e-TNGA platform. The new platform is designed to be easily adaptable for a range of vehicle types—some… Read more »
Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV boasts 42-mile electric range, $38k base price
Toyota has announced pricing for its upcoming RAV4 Prime. The PHEV version of the company’s popular small SUV is slated to go on sale this summer. The base SE version will start at $38,100, and the XSE variant will start at $41,425. The RAV4 Prime boasts an electric range of 42 miles, which compares favorably… Read more »
BYD and Toyota to work together on EVs (for China, of course)
BYD and Toyota have established a 50/50 joint venture to conduct R&D for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The new company will be headquartered in Shenzhen City, is expected to have around 300 employees, and is to begin operations in May 2020. “With the engineers from BYD and Toyota working together under the same roof, we aim… Read more »
Toyota and Panasonic to launch battery company
Toyota and Panasonic will establish Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, a joint venture specializing in automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries. Scheduled to launch on April 1, 2020, Prime Planet Energy & Solutions will employ approximately 5,100 people, and will supply batteries not only to Toyota but also to other customers. In addition to producing prismatic batteries,… Read more »
BYD and Toyota to establish battery R&D company
Toyota and Chinese EV maker BYD will form a joint company focused on EV battery research and development. The company is scheduled to be launched in China in 2020. Toyota and BYD have agreed to each provide 50 percent of the capital for the new company. BYD Senior VP Lian Yu-bo said, “We aim to… Read more »
Zero Automotive launches e-truck based on Toyota Landcruiser
Australian startup Zero Automotive has launched an electric pickup truck for commercial use, based on the Landcruiser 79 series. “It’s available in 20 to 120 kWh battery packs, with modular battery packs and a 700 Nm electric motor,” said Zero Automotive co-founder Tim Possingham. “That has more torque than the factory turbo-diesel V8 that’s normally… Read more »
GM, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler side with Trump in fight to gut fuel economy standards
GM, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler have announced that they will side with the Trump administration in its war with California over fuel economy standards, in direct opposition to competitors Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW, which struck a compromise with the California Air Resources Board in July. CARB’s deal with the four automakers calls for fleet… Read more »