Toyota, which up until now has been focused heavily on hybrid cars, is, at last, moving to produce its first all-electric passenger model (unless you count the short-lived, US-market only RAV4 electric or the new van-based Proace electric). It'll be a new, low-slung, SUV built on a version of the TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) refitted specially for electric propulsion.
Versatile electric car platform
Initially, six new electric cars will be spun off from this e-TNGA platform, which Toyota will also share with Subaru and with Suzuki. Toyota says that, for these cars, the e-TNGA chassis can be almost infinitely altered and changed - "This approach allows variance in vehicle width, length, wheelbase and height. e-TNGA can also be defined with front-, rear- or four-wheel drive and with a wide range of battery and electric motor capacities to suit various vehicle types and usage profiles. By using this versatile approach, the development time of different product variants can be reduced, and individual models can be developed in parallel." Saloon, MPV, and larger crossover models are also being developed.
Solid-state batteries
Toyota's European design boss has said that the new electric crossover will be very Euro-centric in its styling, and will be similar in size to the current RAV4 - although it's certainly not a replacement for the RAV. While it won't arrive in time for this still-un-named model (which will go on sale towards the end of 2021) Toyota also confirmed its investments in solid-state battery technology, which it hopes to start fitting to production cars by the middle of this decade. Solid-state batteries have the potential to revolutionise electric cars, by being lighter, faster to charge, and more energy-dense than current lithium-ion batteries.
Attractive option for Irish families
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland said: "The forthcoming Battery Electric SUV is another exciting step in our electrification journey and a prime example of our brand promise 'Built for a Better World'. As world leaders in both low emission self-charging hybrids, and negative emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles such as the recently announced second-generation Mirai, the addition of a new BEV to the Toyota portfolio is very much in line with our strategy to tackle sustainable motoring from all angles. We believe there is no silver bullet when it comes to creating a cleaner environment and are relentlessly focused on ensuring we have a wide range of options to suit differing consumer needs and driving conditions.
"Toyota looks forward to previewing the all-new mid-sized SUV in the coming months. The versatility and flexibility of e-TNGA technology allows us to design and create vehicles that are not just battery-electric, but also exciting to drive and beautiful to look at. Toyota believes this new model will offer another attractive option for Irish families."