Photo: Toyota
After many years and repeated attacks from Volkswagen, Toyota continues to be the world's largest carmaker, which subsequently makes it an important voice in the industry.
Despite that, Toyota's push for liquid hydrogen fuel cell powertrains wasn't very well received by the public even though it had some support from fellow Japanese manufacturer Honda, and also Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and, to a smaller degree, a few others.
But Toyota hasn't been a stranger to plug-in vehicles. As we all know, the Japanese were the first to make hybrids popular with the Prius, a model that is now offering a version that can be recharged from a power outlet or a charging station as well.
A quick look at the market trends right now will immediately tell you that's not enough, and Toyota hasn't stayed on top by ignoring the dynamics of its environment, so it knows it all too well. It can't openly admit it's been wrong about fuel cell because that would tarnish its reputation a bit, but it can't afford to be trailing to much in the EV segment either, so it needs to take action.
One year ago, the giant manufacturer's CEO, Akio Toyoda was named the head of the newly-founded EV division within the company, but not much was said about the programs unfolding there since. Now, however, with the first traditional carmakers about to release their first true EVs, Toyota is making its intentions known. And they seem to be looking to make up the lost ground quite quickly.
According to the Daily Mail, Toyota plans to launch over ten battery-powered models in the "early 2020s," though it didn't go into any specifics. Executive Vice President Shigeki Terashi said the EVs would first be sold in China, the world's largest market for this type of vehicles, but they would reach other parts of the world - Japan, Europe, the U.S.A. - at a later date.
Furthermore, Toyota wants to have some sort of electrification options for any model in its lineup by 2025, whether we're talking about a pure EV, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or a fuel cell-powered electric powertrain.
Not that anyone doubts something the Japanese say, but just to make its commitment all the more believable, Toyota has also signed a deal with Panasonic Corp. to develop battery cells. The Japanese electronics maker is also engaged in Tesla's Gigafactory and with these two contracts, could easily become the world's largest battery cell manufacturer.
But Toyota hasn't been a stranger to plug-in vehicles. As we all know, the Japanese were the first to make hybrids popular with the Prius, a model that is now offering a version that can be recharged from a power outlet or a charging station as well.
A quick look at the market trends right now will immediately tell you that's not enough, and Toyota hasn't stayed on top by ignoring the dynamics of its environment, so it knows it all too well. It can't openly admit it's been wrong about fuel cell because that would tarnish its reputation a bit, but it can't afford to be trailing to much in the EV segment either, so it needs to take action.
One year ago, the giant manufacturer's CEO, Akio Toyoda was named the head of the newly-founded EV division within the company, but not much was said about the programs unfolding there since. Now, however, with the first traditional carmakers about to release their first true EVs, Toyota is making its intentions known. And they seem to be looking to make up the lost ground quite quickly.
According to the Daily Mail, Toyota plans to launch over ten battery-powered models in the "early 2020s," though it didn't go into any specifics. Executive Vice President Shigeki Terashi said the EVs would first be sold in China, the world's largest market for this type of vehicles, but they would reach other parts of the world - Japan, Europe, the U.S.A. - at a later date.
Furthermore, Toyota wants to have some sort of electrification options for any model in its lineup by 2025, whether we're talking about a pure EV, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or a fuel cell-powered electric powertrain.
Not that anyone doubts something the Japanese say, but just to make its commitment all the more believable, Toyota has also signed a deal with Panasonic Corp. to develop battery cells. The Japanese electronics maker is also engaged in Tesla's Gigafactory and with these two contracts, could easily become the world's largest battery cell manufacturer.
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