At its annual Kenshiki event in Brussels last week, Toyota laid out its vision and plans for achieving zero emissions in Europe, including details on its promise to introduce six battery electric vehicle (BEV) models by 2026, along with a three-step plan to roll out new EV battery technologies. Kenshiki, which means “insight” in Japanese, is a yearly event produced by Toyota for the media, this year focusing on the battery electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles that the company says will play a significant role in the company’s multi-pathway strategy in the years ahead.

Toyota’s new BEV lineup included two new concept vehicles unveiled in Brussels—the Urban SUV and the Sport Crossover. They join the Compact SUV concept Toyota revealed last year, along with the bZ4X, which is currently on sale in Europe.

“Looking at Europe specifically, the market today is highly diverse,” said Andrea Carlucci, Vice President at Toyota Motor Europe. “But the target is 100% carbon neutrality by 2035—in just 12 years’ time. This is something we are committed to achieving.”

Globally, Toyota says it is working on a multipath approach to carbon neutrality, which aligns with its commitment to providing a range of powertrains that address specific customer needs, market conditions, and local infrastructure in different world regions. This approach includes hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid-electric, battery-electric, and fuel-cell-electric systems, along with hydrogen combustion engines and the use of e-fuels.

 

Two new BEVs next up for Europe

The Sport Crossover concept previews a model that will join Toyota’s BEV lineup by 2025 features a sleek aero silhouette and fastback lines that will make it a unique design within the company’s BEV portfolio. First presented at the Auto Shanghai show in April, it has been developed for both the Chinese and European markets by the BYD Toyota EV Technology Co. Ltd. (BTET) joint venture with BYD. In China, it is planned to be produced and sold by FAW Toyota Motor.

Toyota hopes the Sport Crossover concept will provide an attractive proposition for first-time electric car customers and a stylish alternative to SUVs. Its “active” styling and functionality are aimed at Generation Z customers.

The vehicle will offer maximum comfort combined with the practicality of five doors, a large rear storage area, and generous rear legroom. It is also being developed so that its functions, including intelligent features such as driver assistance and automatic parking, will continue to evolve after purchase so that owners can continuously enjoy the most up-to-date car “with all five senses.”

In contrast to the Sport Crossover concept, the more practical Urban SUV concept—will be the most compact and “accessible” in Toyota’s planned six-model dedicated BEV lineup. At 4300 mm (169.3 in) long, 1820 mm (71.7 in) wide, and 1620 mm (63.8 in) tall, it will compete in the B-SUV segment, which Toyota predicts will be one of the largest markets for BEVs in Europe. The company knows the segment well as it leads it with the hybrid-electric Yaris Cross, the best-selling model in its class.

More detailed specs will be announced when the production model is unveiled in 2024.

 

More on the FT-3e and FT-Se

The Kenshiki forum also marked the European debut of Toyota’s FT-3e concept previewing a versatile new generation BEV architecture that allows the creation of a variety of products including the FT-Se sports car and the Lexus LF-ZC luxury sedan. These next-generation BEVs are designed to achieve the lowest possible weight and optimized aerodynamics for increased efficiency and range while bringing a focus on efficient resource usage.

The five-passenger FT-3e is 4860 mm (191.3 in) long, 1955 mm (77.0 in) wide, and 1595 mm (62.8 in) tall on a 3000-mm (118.1-in) wheelbase. Compared to the bZ4X, it is 170 mm (6.7 in) longer, 145 mm (5.7 in) wider, and 55 mm (2.2 in) lower.

The concept has a sweeping exterior design that combines advanced styling and aesthetics, with body lines and surfaces kept as simple as possible. Digital displays extending from the lower side of the body to the upper door section present information as the driver approaches the vehicle such as the state of battery charge and the interior temperature and air quality. Among the range of future technologies, the FT-3e embraces is enabling “mobility to connect with society,” acting as a transfer medium for data and energy—to and from the car and its surroundings.

The most exciting of the latest batch of BEV concepts for enthusiasts is the FT-Se (Future Toyota-Sports electric) two-seater. Toyota first displayed the FT-Se at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo in late October alongside the FT-3e.

The sports car incorporates expertise gained from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (GR) efforts to make better cars through motorsport participation, the concept presents a vision of how a driver’s relationship with their vehicles will evolve and deepen. At just 1220 mm (48.0 in) tall and at a relatively wide 1895 mm (74.6 in), the 4380 mm (172.4 in) long car features a cutting-edge (literally) front design combining smooth curves and aggressive lines, distinctive trapezoid shapes, and molded-in rear spoiler.

The car’s cockpit offers controls for a more immersive driving experience, with a low instrument panel profile ensuring high visibility. Kneepads brace the driver and passenger for the FT-Se’s natural habitat, the racetrack.

The latest batteries, with a low height and high energy density, combined with the downsizing and weight reduction of components such as the motor, transmission, and air conditioning unit, are important factors in enabling the FT-Se’s handling performance.

 

Three-phase rollout of new battery tech

During the Kenshiki forum, Toyota said it is preparing to introduce a series of new batteries including the solid-state variety. The first will be a performance version, designed with a conventional structure but expected to offer twice the driving range and a 20% cost reduction compared to the current pack in the bZ4X.

The second new EV battery technology is described by Toyota as a “good quality, low-cost battery that will help popularize BEVs.” It will feature a new shape and bipolar structure, and it will use cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as its principal material. The aim is to increase vehicle range by 20% and reduce cost by 40% compared to that for the bZ4X.

The third battery to be introduced will focus on high performance, using bipolar technologies and a high nickel cathode. Even lower costs and a further extended driving range are expected.

“We have made a technological breakthrough that overcomes the long-standing challenge of solid-state battery durability,” said Carlucci. “A method for mass production is currently being developed, and we are striving for commercialization in 2027-2028 with production capacity of several tens of thousands of vehicles.”

 

Kevin Jost contributed to this article.