Model year 2020 is proving to be a big year for electric vehicles (EVs). As stated in our Wheels Mobility Guide, most automakers plan to launch at least one all-new plug-in electric vehicle next year.
Toyota, too, is making a strong play for the EV market with recent news it plans to launch six battery electric vehicles (BEV) between 2020 and 2026.
Here’s a brief exploration of Toyota’s EV offerings.
Toyota EV Vehicles
The present EV lineup features both conventional hybrids and PHEVs. The Corolla, Prius, RAV4, Camry, Avalon and Highlander models are all available as conventional hybrids. Currently, the automaker has the largest lineup of hybrids on the market. These vehicles have the standard internal combustion engine and a range extending electric motor that’s powered by its regenerative braking technology that converts the kinetic energy into electricity.
The standout PHEV model is the 2020 Prius Prime. It’s available in three trims to meet the needs of your fleet the LE, XLE and Limited. It allows driving in two modes: EV an EPA-estimated 25 miles range and 640 miles total driving range in hybrid mode. Toyota has also made a foray into the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) space with its Mirai. It’s powered by hydrogen, takes five minutes to refuel, has an estimated 312-mile EPA-estimated driving range and is eligible for a high occupancy vehicle carpool sticker.
EVs in Model Year 2020 And Beyond
Toyota wants to sell 5.5 million hybrid, PHEV, BEV and hydrogen fuel cells vehicles globally by 2025. This latest forecast is five years earlier than its 2017 projection. This means a heavy development plan and roll out in the next few years.
“Progress has surpassed the target,” Shigeki Terashi, vice president and head of research and development at Toyota, said. “We have entered a new age.”