Toyota announces its new BEV series, Toyota bZ

[spike021]

Link: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/35083987.html

Toyota City, Japan, April 19, 2021―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced Toyota bZ, its newly established series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), in establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles, on April 19. At Auto Shanghai, a motor show held in Shanghai, China, Toyota unveiled a concept version of the Toyota bZ4X, which will be the first model in the bZ series.





1. Contribution to SDGs based on the concept of "home planet"
A challenge on a global scale: achieving carbon neutrality by 2050
In 2018, Toyota announced its intention to transform from an automotive company into a mobility company. Under the common understanding that everyone lives on the same planet, Toyota takes action from the perspective of "home planet," above and beyond the concepts of "hometown" and "home country" that the automotive industry has long continued its business in. The current working generation is responsible for bequeathing this beautiful home to the next generation, as a place where people can live with peace of mind. Under this perspective, Toyota has the "human-centered" philosophy that technology should contribute to people's happiness and health.

By utilizing the strength it has cultivated through "monozukuri (manufacturing)", and by incorporating further technological innovations that expand the possibilities of mobility as it responds to CASE, Toyota seeks to provide services that make freedom of mobility available to all people. The company also aims through its businesses to contribute to the realization of SDGs; among the 17 SDGs, reducing CO2 emissions is a global issue and, in order to achieve this, it is vital that electrification―the "E" of "CASE"―is implemented on a global scale.

Today, countries around the world are declaring their goals in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve carbon neutrality in the automotive industry, it is indispensable to integrate energy policies such as renewable energy and charging infrastructure, with industrial policies such as vehicle purchase subsidies, supplier support, and battery recycling systems. It is also necessary to work in collaboration with various stakeholders including governments and industry associations. In the course of our global business activities, Toyota will promote electrification strategies that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, while consulting with governments on how to improve the environment for the promotion of electrification. In addition, we will review and disclose information to confirm our public policy engagement activities are consistent with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement by the end of this year, and will strive to provide enhanced information disclosure so that as many stakeholders as possible can understand our activities.

2. Introducing sustainable vehicles practically; Toyota is establishing a full line-up of electrified vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions with the aim of having 70 electrified models by 2025
Toyota has a long history of CO2 reduction initiatives. In 1993, it launched the G21 project, which sought to propose cars that would be deemed necessary by the world in the 21st century. In 1997, the company launched the world's first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle, the Prius. Since then, based on the idea that "eco-friendly vehicles are only meaningful if they achieve widespread use and contribute to CO2 reductions," or introduce sustainable vehicles practically, Toyota has undertaken to establish a full line-up of electrified vehicles―namely, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)―and thereby offer its customers diverse choices. Various factors such as the desired operating environment and cruising range for customers, and the status of development of recharging infrastructure differ according to country and region; it is crucial that, in line with these variables, Toyota offers powertrains that inspire customers to think, "this is easy to use," and "I want to drive this" and, as a result, leads to reduction of CO2 emissions. Here are the results of Toyota's approach in electrification.

Total cumulative sales of electrified vehicles: over 17 million units (1997-February 2021)
Total accumulative reductions in CO2 emissions as a result of electrified vehicles: around 140 million tons. (1997-2020)
Worldwide electrified vehicle sales in 2020: 1.95 million units (23 percent of Toyota's total sales, or about one in four vehicles, is electrified)
Between 2010-2019, Toyota electrified vehicles have helped to reduce the average CO2 emission of new vehicles worldwide by approximately 22 percent Toyota's line-up of electrified vehicles comprises 45 HEVs, four PHEVs, four BEVs, and two FCEVs―a total of 55 diverse models, ranging from passenger cars to commercial vehicles. (as of the end of 2020)
Going forward, Toyota will continue expanding its line-up to cater to the needs of its customers, and will expand the total number of electrified models to around 70 by 2025.

3. In establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles, Toyota will introduce 15 BEVs, including seven new Toyota bZ BEV models by 2025
In establishing a full line-up of electrified vehicles, Toyota has been progressing its plan to introduce 15 BEV models by 2025, including seven new BEV models of the Toyota bZ series. In its development of BEVs, Toyota has taken two distinct approaches based on the idea of utilizing the advantages of BEVs, considering CO2 reductions from LCA.

The first seeks to realize "mobility for all," with a focus on small-capacity, short-distance, ultra-compact BEVs with establishing new business models such as commercialization of battery reuse and recycling. The Toyota C+pod, which was launched in December 2020, is one example.

In contrast, the new Toyota bZ series of BEVs takes on a "human-centered" approach aimed at widespread use in regions such as China, the U.S., and Europe, where there is significant demand for BEVs, and where there is a large supply of renewable electricity. "bZ" stands for "beyond Zero," and incorporates the desire to provide customers with value that exceeds mere "zero emissions." Toyota intends to launch BEVs that will be welcomed by all customers. The Toyota bZ series models will be built on new BEV dedicated platforms with features as follows:

Practical cruising range that considers the operating environment, so that customers can choose our products with peace of mind
Open and freestyle interior and uniquely designed exterior utilizing BEV packaging
Development of the Toyota bZ series is based on BEV-dedicated platforms that can be used with multiple variations in terms of size and design. Since it is difficult for Toyota to prepare such a wide range of choices by itself, it is jointly developing the series with partners who boast expertise in various fields. By coordinating with policies that encourage the use of renewable energies, Toyota hopes to expand the range of choice for customers, and contribute to the further reduction of CO2 emissions.

4. Toyota and Subaru jointly developed the Toyota bZ4X, taking advantage of the two companies' unique strengths
The Toyota bZ4X is an SUV BEV jointly developed with Toyota's partner, Subaru. This new vehicle adopts the e-TNGA BEV-dedicated platform that was jointly developed by the two companies; it takes advantage of the strength of Toyota, which boasts expertise in vehicle electrification, and Subaru, which possesses outstanding AWD technologies, and realizes driving performance that is both comfortable and enjoyable. The characteristics of the Toyota bZ4X are outlined below.

Using a BEV-specific platform, the bZ4X combines a long wheelbase with a short overhang; this results both in a distinctive design, and in an interior space comparable to a D-segment sedan.
A uniquely shaped steering wheel eliminates the need to change grip when steering, and also contributes to a spacious interior; the vehicle adopts a steer-by-wire system that provides a smooth driving feel aligned with the driver's intentions.
The low position of the instrument panel and the location of the meters above the steering wheel serve not only to enhance the vehicle's sense of space, but also improve visibility and contribute to safe and secure driving.
The bZ4X adopts a new AWD system jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru; it combines safe and pleasing driving performance―made possible by the unique responsiveness of electrified vehicles―with an impressive off-road performance.
In addition to the use of regenerative energy systems, the vehicle also adopts a solar recharging system; this cleverly recharges the battery while stationary, and further enhances the unique environmental performance of a BEV. It also provides cruising range that ensures customers not to be inconvenienced in wintertime.
Toyota plans to produce the Toyota bZ4X in Japan and China; it hopes to begin worldwide sales of the model by the middle of 2022.

[spike021]

Man, they really missed on the naming; could have called it the "brZ", SMH.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Looks better than the renderings, but still not a fan. I wonder what the BZ1, 2, and 3 will look like compared to the renderings/drawings that were floating around (don't think the US will get the BZ5).

[Jordanwolf]

Someone warn John Connor.

[gymratter]

[wbradley]

The Toyota/Subaru upcoming EV could be interesting.

I admire Elon Musk's vision and all the R & D, not to mention Space X, but...and this is a big one for me...(I must admit I like big buts) will his company help make the average vehicle electrified or is his intended niche purely the luxury segment? If so, the mainstream of the future look to be lead by Toyota and VW. Nissan as a company is unstable but I guess you can include the Leaf. If people's mind sets were massively swayed to electrification amazing things could be done. In fact if manufacturing was diverted enmasse to electrified vehicles and gas engines became unusual new vehicles in our domestic market there could be lots of immediate improvements felt by consumers. It's the battery cost that makes companies like Tesla build on the upscale market. For the mass volume cars the range limitation on a cost appropriate battery forces the use of hybrid electric or plug in hybrid which add a lot of extra machinery/moving parts. The pure electric vehicle more than offsets the elimination of an engine from the BOM through the large battery. What should be the lowest possible ratio of vehicle to battery cost considered practical? 50/50? To build a 180 mile range I wonder what the battery costs assuming average mid size weight including appropriate battery? If it was $15K for example, would it be worthwhile in a $35k vehicle or a $45k vehicle. At what entry price could the market demand support a viable all electric vehicle that could be produced in volume? Infrastructure to step up clean electricity for demand based on a significant proportion of vehicles on the road drawing from the grid needs to be implemented ahead of time. In Quebec or Ontario we need only consume the surplus hydroelectriciry that is dumped into the US from the James Bay project now. Places like California need to step up the solar/wind farms.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by wbradley

The Toyota/Subaru upcoming EV could be interesting.

Wrong thread for this (there are ones on this) but short answer, there's nothing interesting about the Toyota/Subaru upcoming EV. It's a me-too version that doesn't really seem to be advancing anything. Ford's already selling their equivalent, Chevy has their EUV being built right now, and others already exist from major manufacturers.

As far as price, you aren't going to be able to trade vehicle cost for range. It's going to be hard to sell a sub $20K EV if it has a sub 200 mile range. You are down in the price of single car owners, and they need it to do more.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Wrong thread for this (there are ones on this) but short answer, there's nothing interesting about the Toyota/Subaru upcoming EV. It's a me-too version that doesn't really seem to be advancing anything. Ford's already selling their equivalent, Chevy has their EUV being built right now, and others already exist from major manufacturers.

As far as price, you aren't going to be able to trade vehicle cost for range. It's going to be hard to sell a sub $20K EV if it has a sub 200 mile range. You are down in the price of single car owners, and they need it to do more.

Dont think it really needs anything more than to exist, and be more of a ground-up design than a "lets drop an EV powerplant because we need EV's" like the UX300e.
Toyota needed to get in on the EV bandwagon and this is their ticket to ride.

As long as it isnt some goofy looking wierdo alien spaceship thing, i think it'll do well. Plus it kind of looks like a "sporty version" of the Rav4 (like the X2 is a "sporty version" of the X1).

[gymratter]