Rumors of Toyotaโs potential foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market have been making the rounds since early last year, suggesting that the company would release 15 vibrant EVs in the coming years. Last December, Toyota held a press event detailing its future EV plans before unveiling the new bZ4X electric SUV in April. Now, renders of another car from the bZ lineup have surfaced, giving us a better look.
The render comes to us courtesy of Motor.es, showing off the bZ3X, which is likely in early development. The upcoming EV looks a lot more like a crossover than an SUV or proper hatchback, with the report suggesting that it could eventually replace the current CH-R and Corolla Hatchback โ weโll have to wait and see about that.
Like the rest of the bZ EV lineup, the bZ3X will be based on Toyotaโs e-TNGA architecture. It’s expected to come in different variants with one or two electric motors, allowing power levels up to 218 horses โ this should put it against the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born. The bZ3X’s range is also up there with the others, with a reported 71.4 kWh battery pack capable of more than 310 miles (500 km).
Toyota, alongside Lexus, is investing $70 billion in the research and development of an all-electric line-up. It expects a bunch of the cars to be production-ready by 2025 with the aim of launching 30 zero-emission vehicles by 2030.
Aside from the bZ3X, a Tacoma-badged Toyota electric truck, an all-electric bZ4X-based Lexus RZ crossover (which just debuted), and a Toyota FJ Cruiser-like SUV are in the companyโs plans. Thereโs also the Toyota Sports EV and the Lexus Supercar EV to look forward to.
Toyota is raising its battery production investment to $17.6 billion, including erecting a new battery plant in North Carolina. Toyota and Lexus want to achieve full carbon neutrality by the middle of the next decade, with the latter aiming to become EV-only in Europe, China, and the U.S. by 2030.
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