Toyota to fast-tracks development of electrified vehicles

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Toyota has unveiled plans to accelerate the development and launch of electrified vehicles as it aims for electrified vehicles to account for more than 50% of its new-vehicle sales by around 2030.

The Japanese carmaker said it would no longer develop models without an electrified version, adding that as of 2025 each model in the Toyota and Lexus line-up around the world will be available as either a dedicated electrified model or have an electrified option.

“By around 2030, Toyota aims to have annual sales exceeding 5.5 million electrified vehicles, or more than half its global sales total. The figure includes more than one million zero-emission vehicles,” reads the company’s statement.

“Toyota will make available more than 10 battery electric models worldwide by the early 2020s, starting in China, before entering other markets. The gradual introduction to Japan, India, U.S. and Europe is expected.”

Toyota’s plan also involves expanding its fuel-cell electric vehicle line-up for both passenger and commercial vehicles in the 2020s, in addition to growing its hybrid vehicle line-up with the further development of the Toyota Hybrid System II featured in the current-generation Prius and other models.

“Toyota aims to introduce a more powerful version in some hybrid models, develop simpler hybrid systems for select models and expand its plug-in hybrid vehicle line-up in the 2020s,” it says in the statement.

“Current limitations with battery technology are also being addressed, particularly energy density, weight, packaging and cost.”

“Toyota has been actively developing next-generation solid-state batteries and aims to commercialise the technology by the early 2020s.”

The company will also focus on the development of a social infrastructure conducive to the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles, including streamlined battery reuse and recycling, and will support the promotion of plug-in vehicle charging stations and hydrogen refuelling stations through active cooperation and collaboration with government authorities and partner companies.

Image credit: www.toyota.com.au