Toyota Motor Corporation is to launch 30 battery electric models by 2030, supporting plans for Lexus to go 100% electric by 2035.
Speaking in a media conference, president Akio Toyoda revealed the brands are targeting total global battery electric vehicle sales to reach 3.5 million by 2030, underpinning the group’s strategy for carbon neutrality.
The plans will significantly advance the previous target to have at least 15 BEVs by 2025.
Lexus aims to have a full line-up of battery EVs in all vehicle segments by 2030 and to have BEVs account for 100% of its vehicle sales in Europe, North America, and China, totalling one million units globally. And it aims for battery EVs to make up 100% of its global vehicles sales in 2035.
Toyota will also increase its new investment in batteries from the 1.5 trillion yen (£10bn) announced in September to 2 trillion yen (£13.3bn).
The announcement underpins the Toyota Motor Europe plan for 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles sales by 2035 in West Europe.
Toyoda said: “I believe that achieving carbon neutrality means realising a world in which all people living on this planet continue to live happily. We want to help realise such a world. This has been and will continue to be Toyota’s wish and our mission as a global company. For that challenge, we need to reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible, as soon as possible.”
He added: “We are living in a diversified world and in an era in which it is hard to predict the future. Therefore, it is difficult to make everyone happy with a one-size-fits-all option. That is why Toyota wants to prepare as many options as possible for our customers around the world.”
Revealing some 15 new concepts, Toyoda said the strategy would not just add battery EV options to existing vehicle models but would also bring a full line-up of reasonably priced mass-production models, such as the bZ series, to meet the needs of all kinds of customers.
“By doing so, we hope to deliver to customers around the world the unique and beautiful styling as well as fun-to-drive aspects of battery EVs, and the experience of a life with battery EVs.”
The plans will see the bZ battery electric family in Europe expand with the introduction of a small crossover as a follow-up to the recently announced bZ4X launch, as well as a compact SUV designed for European and Japanese customers. These will be joined by a midsize sedan and a large SUV with third-row seats.
The target is to have an “EV for everyone”, meeting lifestyle needs but also commercial vehicle requirements, everything from long-distance transport to last-mile delivery, and the concepts revealed also include a pickup EV. Solutions will also target changing mobility needs for urban areas, such as with the previously revealed e-palette customisable multi-passenger, multifunctional vehicle, along with new mobility solutions in smaller size segments.
Toyoda also revealed some of the vehicles that will help Lexus achieve its battery electric vehicle plans, starting first with the RZ electric SUV. Concepts on show included a sedan and an SUV, and the brand also revealed a supercar as it said it will develop a Sports Battery EV, using “bold proportions and low ride height essential to a sports car” while showcasing the driving performance of a Lexus. Acceleration time will be in the low two-second range, cruising range over 700km (435 miles), and with the possible use of solid-state batteries in mind.
