Toyota to Launch Two New Electric Vehicles

After years of toying with hybrid cars, one of the finest car makers in the world, Toyota is finally launching two new electric vehicles in the US.

For EV users and Toyota fans, it is big news the company will break an eight-year hiatus to sell EVs all over the US.

The Drive says one of the new battery-electric cars will be a Lexus, citing dealers who spoke with Automotive News.

The new EV vehicles Toyota announced last week will be a plug-in.

Automotive News quoted Toyota Motor North America Executive Vice President of Sales Bob Carter saying one EV will be a Toyota, and the other will be a crossover or SUV. Bets are that Lexus will be the latter. 

Toyota aims to electrify almost half of its range by 2025 but is not dropping hydrogen plans at all. Instead, it is opting for variety.

The company will also launch one plug-in hybrid this year.

The launch of the two EVs puts a firm timeline to Toyota’s EV plans after years of scepticism about electric vehicles.

The pioneer in hybrid cars is now putting more effort in a plan to electrify a large portion of its model range, say news sources.

Toyota is aiming to have 40% of its U.S. lineup composed of battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen-electric vehicles, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids by 2025.

Nevertheless, Toyota continues to be bullish about its hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains.

RAV4 EV

In late December, Toyota announced that it is bringing an electric crossover to the European market, showing the sketch pictured above, and said that it will eventually be available in the U.S.

In 2014, Toyota discontinued the RAV4 EV. On its website, the company says:

“The Toyota RAV4 EV was discontinued in 2014, but Toyota remains committed to the electrification of vehicles. While we’ve stopped producing RAV4 EV, our engineers remain hard at work developing the next generation of battery technology, so the future is bright. And if you’re a current RAV4 EV owner, you’ll still get great service from your Authorized Toyota RAV4 EV Dealer.”