Japanese carmaker wants to win over consumers with electric vehicles that can drive further and charge faster
13 June 2023 - 15:49
byReuters
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Toyota aims to launch its next-generation batteries in 2026 that will offer longer driving ranges and quicker charging times. Picture: REUTERS
Toyota will introduce high-performance, solid-state batteries and other technologies to improve the range and performance of its electric vehicles (EVs) and to cut costs.
The Japanese carmaker said it aims to launch next-generation batteries from 2026, seeking to win over consumers with vehicles that offer longer driving ranges and quicker charging times.
It also said it was developing a method to mass produce solid-state batteries, which it aims to commercialise in 2027-2028.
The announcement, which came a day before Toyota’s annual shareholders meeting where strategy and governance will be under scrutiny, amounted to the fullest disclosure yet of the automaker’s strategy to compete in the fast-growing market for EVs where it has lagged rivals.
The carmaker said it would produce an EV with a more efficient lithium-ion battery which would have a range of 1,000km. By comparison, the long-range version of the Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling EV, can drive for about 530km based on US testing standards.
Toyota did not give details about the expected costs or where its long-range EVs would be manufactured, nor did it disclose the investment cost of the new solid-state batteries or where they would be made.
Toyota said it will use a "self-propelling" assembly line and Giga casting to cut production costs, adopting a production innovation pioneered by Tesla. Picture: SUPPLIED
“What we want to achieve is to change the future with BEVs [battery electric vehicles],” Takero Kato, president of new Toyota EV unit BEV Factory, said in a video posted on the automaker’s YouTube channel on Tuesday.
“We will launch the next-generation battery EVs globally and as a full line-up on the market from 2026,” Kato added.
Toyota also gave details of other technologies it plans to reduce costs for its EVs and batteries.
The carmaker pledged to use a “self-propelling” assembly line and Giga casting to cut production costs, adopting a production innovation pioneered by Tesla.
BEV Factory, established in May, aims to produce about 1.7-million vehicles by 2030, Kato said — about half of the 3.5 million EVs that Toyota aims to sell annually by that year.
In April, the carmaker sold 8,584 EVs worldwide, including its Lexus brand, accounting for more than 1% of its global sales in a single month for the first time.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Toyota plans EVs with a 1,000km range
Japanese carmaker wants to win over consumers with electric vehicles that can drive further and charge faster
Toyota will introduce high-performance, solid-state batteries and other technologies to improve the range and performance of its electric vehicles (EVs) and to cut costs.
The Japanese carmaker said it aims to launch next-generation batteries from 2026, seeking to win over consumers with vehicles that offer longer driving ranges and quicker charging times.
It also said it was developing a method to mass produce solid-state batteries, which it aims to commercialise in 2027-2028.
The announcement, which came a day before Toyota’s annual shareholders meeting where strategy and governance will be under scrutiny, amounted to the fullest disclosure yet of the automaker’s strategy to compete in the fast-growing market for EVs where it has lagged rivals.
The carmaker said it would produce an EV with a more efficient lithium-ion battery which would have a range of 1,000km. By comparison, the long-range version of the Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling EV, can drive for about 530km based on US testing standards.
Toyota did not give details about the expected costs or where its long-range EVs would be manufactured, nor did it disclose the investment cost of the new solid-state batteries or where they would be made.
“What we want to achieve is to change the future with BEVs [battery electric vehicles],” Takero Kato, president of new Toyota EV unit BEV Factory, said in a video posted on the automaker’s YouTube channel on Tuesday.
“We will launch the next-generation battery EVs globally and as a full line-up on the market from 2026,” Kato added.
Toyota also gave details of other technologies it plans to reduce costs for its EVs and batteries.
The carmaker pledged to use a “self-propelling” assembly line and Giga casting to cut production costs, adopting a production innovation pioneered by Tesla.
BEV Factory, established in May, aims to produce about 1.7-million vehicles by 2030, Kato said — about half of the 3.5 million EVs that Toyota aims to sell annually by that year.
In April, the carmaker sold 8,584 EVs worldwide, including its Lexus brand, accounting for more than 1% of its global sales in a single month for the first time.
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