Toyota and Lexus unveil 15 new EVs

At an event held in Tokyo, Japan, Toyota’s president Akio Toyoda announced plans to have 30 battery electric vehicles available across its portfolio, while also ensuring Lexus sells only EVs in Europe, North America and China, all by 2030. He was surrounded by a collection of new models from both brands, several of which had not been shown before.

Among the more eye-catching models on show were the Lexus Electrified Sport – an attractive two-door with an elongated hood and some sharp body work that creates a distinct face and slices around the back of the greenhouse. It is elegant, and almost looks more Aston Martin than Toyota.

Sticking to sports cars but taking the drama up a notch, the Toyota Sports EV has a far more extreme shape, with bulging wheel arches at the front and rear that push both upwards and outwards. The body work is angular and a little haphazard in places, while giant C-shaped elements on the front encompass the air intakes and razor-thin LED lights.

On the opposite end of the design spectrum were two chunky concepts called Micro Box and Mid Box. The former is smaller, with a large greenhouse extending over the front in place of a hood to maximise interior space, suggesting it has been designed for urban mobility. The larger Mid Box looks like a futuristic commercial van, with what appears to be a separate cabin and load space at the rear.

Toyota is looking to extend its EV game to the off-roading segment with the Compact Cruiser EV. With its flat hood, ample bumpers and protruding wheel arches, the model is reminiscent of the J40 Land Cruiser that the company produced between 1960 and 2001 and could be Toyota’s electric answer to the Ford Bronco.

The Japanese OEM could also soon enter the electric pick-up fray, joining the likes of Rivian with its R1T, GMC with its Hummer EV, Tesla with its Cybertruck, Canoo with its Pickup Truck, and Ford with its F-150 Lightning. The grille area on Toyota’s electric pick-up features a body-coloured surface adorned with a diamond pattern, but that’s the only giveaway that this model is fully electric. Otherwise, it appears to be very similar to the Toyota Hilux.

Numerous other electric models were also shown briefly at the Tokyo event, including a small crossover that closely resembles the Aygo X Prologue, and a curvy sedan that could be likened to the Hyundai Prophecy. Simon Humphries, head of Toyota and Lexus global design, described the thinking behind the EV offensive. “Each electric vehicle should be unique and special, not only those on dedicated platforms, but also those related to existing models,” he said. “Whether that means building on Toyota’s off-road heritage to create new exciting recreational experiences, or finding new ways to combine versatility with dynamic driving.”