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Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle addition a continuation of electrification strategy
Toyota Motor Corporation has today revealed the production design of the new bZ4X, the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) addition to their beyond zero range.
Toyota Motor Corporation is focused on achieving carbon neutrality through leveraging its strengths fostered in manufacturing, the production of technological innovation, and through striving to provide services that provide the freedom of mobility for all.
The new BEV series, Toyota bZ, aims to meet the needs of customers in regions where there is great demand for BEVs, and plentiful supply of electricity from renewable energy.
Toyota New Zealand has also confirmed that they are already starting to plan the introduction of the bZ4X, due to arrive locally at the end of 2022.
Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive, Neeraj Lala says the bZ4X is an exciting step towards the company’s low carbon objectives.
Toyota New Zealand has publicly pledged that their electrification strategy to achieve their low emission objectives is focused on three key pillars – affordability for Kiwis, uncompromising safety and supplying product that suits all Kiwi customer needs.
“Toyota’s electrification strategy has always been based on introducing the right solution, at the right time, and in the right market,” Neeraj says. “The bZ4X is the catalyst for an avalanche of new, exciting fully electric products under the bZ series over the next 5 years.”
“The addition of bZ4X expands our large range of electrified vehicles and is a major contributor in reducing our overall emissions profile.”
“Hybrid electric vehicles have proven to be the best transitionary low emission vehicle to bridge the gap while availability and affordability of battery electric vehicles increase,” says Neeraj.
“In 2021, we plan to deliver a record 11,000 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to customers which has had a huge impact on the carbon footprint of our total fleet. However, demand remains high for utes and commercial vans, where lower emission alternatives are yet to become readily available at an affordable price for small businesses.”
“Our commitment is to offer customers all powertrain options until lower emission alternatives become available and affordable, which will take some time, and is unlikely in the timeframes set under the new clean car scheme.”
“It is going to take a combination of electrified vehicles including BEV, HEV, FCEV and PHEV to achieve our low carbon objectives, while still being able to serve our local communities.”
To meet the ongoing consumer demand for low emission technology, Toyota is investing heavily in battery technology globally. Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced a $19 billion investment in battery research and development and the formation of partnerships with technology resource companies such as Panasonic and BHP in Australia.
“Toyota will continue to leverage our global knowledge and experience accumulated over two decades of development of hybrid electric vehicles, to provide a stable supply of batteries that can be used worldwide through flexible manufacturing,” says Neeraj.
“This investment highlights our commitment to transitioning our total fleet to some form of an electrified powertrain and provides the foundation for the introduction of seven new bZ vehicles by 2025 globally.”
Toyota’s investment into future battery technology also includes sold state batteries which will have higher performance, reduced environmental impact and more recycling options.
The new bZ4X will be available in New Zealand next year, and more information about the vehicle will be available closer to the launch.