20-Dec-2021
Reinforcing its commitment to accelerating its drive to achieve carbon neutrality and create sustainable mobility for all, Toyota recently announced its strategy for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) at an event held at Toyota’s MEGA WEB showroom in Tokyo, Japan. As part of the carbon neutrality strategy, Toyota targets the development of a full line-up of 30 BEV models by 2030, in addition to its wide-ranging electrified vehicle line-up that includes Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). The full line-up will include models in both passenger and commercial segments globally.
After unveiling 16 new BEV models that are part of the new line-up, President of Toyota Motor Corporation Akio Toyoda announced that the company targets to achieve annual global sales of 3.5 million Battery Electric Vehicles by 2030. Toyoda also revealed that Lexus will develop a full line-up of BEVs in all categories and achieve 1 million sales by 2030. Lexus also aims to sell 100% Battery EVs in Europe, North America and China by 2030 and globally by 2035.
In addition, Toyota has announced that it will increase new battery-related investment from 1.5 trillion yen announced in September 2021 to 2 trillion yen, aiming to realize even more advanced, good-quality, affordable batteries.
Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation, commented: “Energy plays a critical role in achieving carbon neutrality. At present, the energy situation varies greatly from region to region. That is exactly why Toyota is committed to providing a diversified range of carbon-neutral options to meet whatever might be the needs and situations in every country and region.”
“We at Toyota aim to be a company that contributes to the global environment, seeks to bring happiness to people, acts, and stays close to its customers. To sum it up, we want to become a company that produces happiness for all, for both individuals and society. We want to pass on an ever-better future for the children of today and those who will come after them. We always want the future to be brighter,” added Toyoda.
Toyota has been working on the development of Battery Electric Vehicles for 30 years. The EV Development Department was established in 1992, and the RAV4 EV was introduced to the market in 1996, which was even before the release of the world's first mass-production Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the Toyota Prius. At the same time, Toyota also began the development of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles that run on hydrogen, which finally led to the introduction of the first-generation Toyota Mirai in 2014.
With the Middle East continuing to be a key focus market, Toyota and Lexus have launched an impressive line-up of electrified vehicles in the region, including six Toyota Hybrid Electric models – Corolla, C-HR, Corolla Cross, Camry, RAV4, and Highlander – and four Lexus Hybrid Electric models – ESh, RXh, LSh, UXh.