Toyota aims to introduce 10 new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models, with a sales goal of 1.5 million vehicles by 2026.

Additionally, the company said that it would produce a new generation of BEVs, delivering far greater driving range by using batteries with far greater efficiency, and transform its manufacturing, using more efficient lines, autonomous technology and connected technology to ‘transform the landscape of our production plants.’

The company will also look to achieve carbon neutrality at all of its global plants by 2035.

The plan was outlined by Toyota’s new CEO Koji Sato, and top company executives Yoichi Miyazaki and Kiroki Nakajima at a press briefing at the beginning of April.

To accomplish this plan, which also calls for investments in connectivity and other mobility systems, Toyota says it will create a specialised unit to handle development, production and business operation.

As well as battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids will also receive plenty of attention, with the aim to enable an EV-mode range beyond 200 km, while plans for the mass production of fuel cell vehicles (FCEV) will centre on commercial vehicles.

Toyota has received some criticism for its apparent reticence in embracing battery-electric vehicles. The company has talked about the providing the widest possible range of customers with the widest possible range of powertrains – an approach to cater to its broad range of customers across the world – but a recent change at the top, with new Koji Sato taking over as CEO – has sharpened its focus on electrification.

Toyota said that in the US it will start the local production of a 3-row SUV BEV in 2025 while, in addition to its bZ4X and bZ3 sedan developed for the Chinese market, two new models of locally developed BEVs will be launched in China in 2024.

“ . . . We are fully committed to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 over the entire life cycle of our vehicles,” said Koji Sato. “When it comes to car manufacturing, we will continue to pursue a variety of options, based on a multi-pathway solutions, to stay close to the future of energy and the condition of each region.

“First, we will thoroughly implement electrification, which we can do immediately. To steadily reduce CO2 emissions from where we stand now, we will promote the practical popularisation of electrified vehicles. We will strengthen sales of hybrid electric vehicles, including in emerging markets, and increase the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle options. We will expand our line-up of battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, which represent one important option, over the next several years.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (April 2023)

12 April 2023