Toyota has taken the wraps off its bZ4X or 'Beyond Zero' concept car at the Shanghai motor show (Yes! An actual motor show!) and it previews both Toyota's new Euro-centric electric crossover and its commitment to carbon-neutral car making.
New electric car platform
The bZ4X itself is based on the new electric-specific e-TNGA platform, which Toyota says has been specially engineered to have both a flat floor and a long wheelbase, to the benefit of interior space. In fact, Toyota claims that though the bZ4X will become, in production, a C-segment crossover (think Qashqai) it has the same cabin space as the larger RAV4.
Indeed, from the side, the bZ4X looks more than a little reminiscent of the RAV4, but at the front, the styling looks rather sharper and cleaner than that of its hybrid-powered cousin. Inside, there's a low-lying dash with a chopped-off steering wheel - which may actually make it through to production if Toyota's claims over a clever 'steer-by-wire' electronic steering system are to be believed. Toyota says that the whole cabin is focused around the drivers' seat, what it calls the 'drive module' and that this "gives the driver a sense of direct connection to the road and to important information."
Reliable, lasting performance
Toyota isn't giving us any data on the bZ4X's battery performance and range but does say that it "has been engineered for reliable, lasting performance, maintaining the car's driving range, even in cold climates" and that the roof has a solar panel which can help a little with keeping that battery topped up.
We do know that the bZ4X gets a twin-motor system - one front and one rear - for four-wheel drive, which was insisted upon by Subaru, which has partnered with Toyota in designing the bZ. Toyota claims that the setup gives the bZ4X "genuine off-road capability."
Beyond all that, the bZ4X marks a turning point for Toyota as it starts to aim for carbon-neutral production of its cars, trying to ensure that - when they reach dealerships - they're already effectively sitting at zero emissions. Chief Engineer Koji Toyoshima explains: "This is not just about contributing to the environment by being a zero-emission vehicle but giving value 'beyond Zero' emissions by making driving easier and more fun."
More bZ models to follow
The bZ name won't be limited to this concept - eventually, it will spread to seven distinct 'Beyond Zero' models by 2025, as part of a 15-strong expansion of Toyota's electric car range. The whole bZ philosophy includes ensuring that CO2 emissions are kept to zero when the car and the battery are being built, ensuring that owners have access to electricity from renewable sources when charging and that the eventual recycling and disposal of the car is done in an environmentally-neutral way.
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Tormey, CEO, Toyota Ireland said: "Today's announcement is another great example of our 'Built for a Better World' brand purpose, and we are excited about the forthcoming addition of BEVs to round out our low and zero emissions offering as we continue our journey towards zero and negative emissions. While BEVs are an important component of our 'beyond Zero' strategy, we believe that the multi-powertrain approach we are taking is the smartest way to get society to where we need to go from a sustainability point of view. With hybrid we can move many people to electrified driving - and importantly out of diesel as that will mean cleaner air for everyone. Toyota continue to lead electrification and pioneer innovative technologies, such as even more efficient hybrid powertrains, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and continuing our leading development in solid state batteries, as evidenced by over 1,000 solid state patents we hold."possibilities of mobility, Toyota seeks to provide services that make the freedom of mobility available to all people."
According to Toyota Ireland, consumer adoption here of Toyota's hybrids has accelerated significantly in recent years, with hybrid now accounting for more than 90 per cent of its Irish sales and helping Toyota to earn market leader status. Toyota sells more electrified cars than any other brand and firmly believes that hybrid cars have a crucial role to play in the near- and medium-term transition away from ICEs, given their low NOx and CO2 emissions (87g/km average across its range, compared to the market average of 99g/km), and the fact that they can operate in EV mode for more than 60 per cent of the time on average. Toyota Ireland claims that in 2019 and 2020 Toyota's hybrids sold will save over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 from the environment over their lifetime, compared to full ICE cars.