Toyota reveals latest electrified vehicles and technologies for Europe

05 December 2023

Toyota Motor Europe unveiled a range of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at the 2023 Kenshiki forum, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040 and sales of battery-electric vehicles to exceed 250,000 annually by 2026.

Toyota has announced a number of new electric vehicles for Europe, where its model range will include six dedicated battery-electric vehicles by 2026.

In addition to the bZ4X that is already on sale, and the Compact SUV concept shown previously, Toyota has previewed the Toyota Urban SUV concept, Toyota Sport Crossover concept, Toyota FT-3e and Toyota FT-Se.

The electric Urban SUV Concept will be launched in 2024 in the compact B-SUV segment, so it will be a similar size to the current Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. It will be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and two battery choices.

The Toyota Sport Crossover concept has a distinctive fastback profile and will be introduced in Europe in 2025. The Sport Crossover Concept was first presented at Auto Shanghai in April this year and has been developed for both the Chinese and European markets by BYD Toyota EV Technology Co. Ltd. (BTET) – a joint venture established in China by Toyota and BYD.

The Toyota FT-3e concept features a new generation BEV architecture that can be used to create a wide variety of products, such as the Lexus LF-ZC luxury saloon and the Toyota FT-Se concept (in case you’re wondering, the name stands for ‘Future Toyota Sports electric’), which is an all-electric two-seater sports car. The FT-Se concept features the latest batteries, with a low height and high energy density, combined with the downsizing and weight reduction of components such as the motor, transmission and air conditioning unit.

Toyota’s new battery and fuel cell electric vehicles

Toyota says that all these next generation EVs are designed to achieve the lowest possible weight with optimised aerodynamics for increased efficiency and range, while at the same time focusing on efficient use of resources.

As well as the new cars, Toyota is also introducing new batteries. The first battery will be a performance version, designed with a conventional structure but expected to offer twice the driving range and a 20 per cent cost reduction compared to the battery in the current bZ4X.

This will be followed by a low-cost battery with a new shape, a bipolar structure and which will use cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as its main material. The aim is for this to increase range by 20 per cent and reduce cost by 40 per cent (compared to the bZ4X).

The third battery to be introduced will focus on high performance, using bipolar technologies and a high nickel cathode; even lower costs and a further extended driving range are expected.

Toyota says that it has also made a technological breakthrough that overcomes the long-standing challenge of solid state battery durability. A method for mass production is currently being developed and the company is striving for commercialisation in 2027-2028, with production capacity of several tens of thousands of vehicles. Toyota is looking to achieve a charge time from 10 to 80 per cent of just 10 minutes.

Globally, Toyota says that as part of its “Mobility for All” vision it has developed a multipath approach to carbon neutrality which aligns with its commitment to providing a range of powertrains that address the specific customer needs, market conditions and local infrastructure in different world regions. Its programme includes hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric and fuel cell electric systems, hydrogen combustion engines and e-fuels.

Toyota Motor Europe is applying the multipath strategy and leading the transition to carbon neutrality by 2040. By 2026, Toyota Motor Europe will offer around 15 different zero emission vehicles under the Toyota brand, from passenger cars to light commercial vehicles, when Toyota’s European BEV mix is expected to be more than 20 per cent with more than 250,000 vehicle sales per annum.