It’s a simple question: When will electric vehicles be mainstream for American buyers?
Ask Ash Corson, Toyota’s alternative fuels vehicle manager, and he’ll give you an equally simple answer.
“They already are,” he says. “Electricity – along with the connectivity and autonomy that it enables – is powering the industry’s transformation towards sustainable mobility for all.”
Toyota envisions a future in which carbon neutrality is achieved through a portfolio of products with advanced, alternative-fuel and zero-emission powertrain technologies.
It’s a company-wide mission, illustrated by three major commitments from Toyota so far:
- First, the development of electrification initiatives with worldwide collaborators like Aurora, Shell, Panasonic, SoftBank and Mazda.
- Second, Toyota’s commitment to offer an electrified version of every vehicle model in the Toyota lineup around 2025.
- Third, to sell more than a million zero-emissions vehicles by 2030.
But seeing is believing. And at June’s HQ Confidential press preview event in Plano, Texas, it was clear that Toyota means business.
Lisa Materazzo, group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing, unveiled the all-new bZ4X, a battery-electric vehicle concept. It’s the first in a global series of Toyota BEVs, and it continues our long lineage of electrified vehicles.
“Bottom line, we’re all in on BEVs,” Materazzo says. “bZ4X is just the beginning. This concept represents our philosophy that technology should contribute to people’s happiness and health. And we can’t wait to share more U.S. product details this fall.”
In the meantime, check out three electrifying facts about the new Toyota bZ4X concept:
- It’s a Concept That Will Soon Be a Reality
The bZ4X was introduced as a concept vehicle, and is scheduled to go on sale in 2022. The Toyota bZ4X SUV Concept features a long wheelbase with short overhangs, resulting in a distinctive design with ample interior space. The open-concept interior is designed to enhance driver comfort and confidence on the road.
- The Name is Already Building a Legacy
“Toyota bZ” stands for “Beyond Zero,” and will become Toyota’s BEV brand umbrella. In fact, this is the vision for the first of a global series of BEVs to be introduced under the moniker. Toyota plans to offer 70 electrified models globally by 2025. That includes 15 BEVs, seven of which will carry the “bZ” name.
- Above All, It’s a Great Car
The Toyota bZ4X features the new e-TNGA BEV-dedicated platform, has all-wheel drive capabilities, a long wheelbase with short overhangs and an open-concept interior.
“Roughly the size of a RAV4, with the versatility to stand apart from other BEVs, it will be well positioned in the sweet spot of the market,” Materazzo says. “And the best part is, it’s a Toyota — with the legendary quality, durability and reliability our customers expect.”
