Toyota is reviving the egg-shaped Previa as its first electric minivan

Toyota’s egg-shaped minivan, the Previa, is formally going electrical. It will likely be revived as the primary all-electric Toyota minivan. Will the funky-looking minivan discover success as an EV?

When will Toyota launch its first electrical minivan?

Though Toyota launched Japan’s first “electrified,” or PHEV fashions lower than two weeks in the past, we’re already studying {that a} absolutely electrical minivan is coming.

Toyota launched the Alphard and Vellfire PHEV minivans on December 20, providing each gasoline and hybrid powertrains. The brand new PHEV system supplies as much as 45 miles (73 km) of all-electric driving vary, whereas the inside options “the quietness of a BEV.” In the meantime, Toyota has greater plans to enter the electrical minivan market.

Based on a current report from Japan’s main auto journal, Greatest Automotive (by way of Forbes), the Toyota Previa will likely be revived in 2026.

Recognized for its egg-shaped design, the Toyota Previa was offered within the US and abroad markets within the early Nineties. Nonetheless, attributable to stiff competitors from the Chrysler City and Nation, Dodge Caravan, and others, the Previa was discontinued in 1997. In its remaining gross sales yr, solely 3,780 items had been offered, in comparison with a peak of round 52,000 in 1991.

The Previa was changed by the Sienna, which has a way more toned-down design and continues to be offered primarily within the North American market.

Though Toyota was anticipated to make use of the e-TNGA platform, which underpins the bZ4X electrical SUV, a Toyota insider mentioned the Previa EV will use the GA-Ok platform, presently used for the Crown, Camry, and RAV-4 fashions.

It will likely be accessible in each electrical (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choices. Like its predecessor, the electrical minivan is predicted to characteristic the same egg-like design for aerodynamics.

The revived Previa was initially developed as a hydrogen gas cell car (FCEV), however Toyota modified its plans attributable to a scarcity of demand and charging. The FCEV mannequin was previewed because the “Effective-Consolation Experience” Idea (proven above) in 2017.

Electrek’s Take

An all-electric Toyota minivan might assist the Japanese auto big lastly achieve traction within the EV market. Gross sales of its first electrical mannequin, the bZ4X, have been slower than anticipated attributable to an early recall and an inflow of mid-size electrical SUVs, many occasions with extra vary and options.

Toyota is understood for its hybrids, just like the Prius, so it’s no shock that it’s going to provide a PHEV model. Nonetheless, with out a devoted EV platform, the electrical Previa might undergo the identical destiny because the bZ4X, with much less vary and choices.

Rivals like Hyundai are additionally launching their first electrical minivans quickly. Hyundai is getting ready to start manufacturing of its Staria Electrical minivan subsequent yr. It’s anticipated to launch in Korea subsequent yr, adopted by Europe within the first half of 2026. European-made fashions will likely be imported to locations like Australia and Thailand, two key abroad markets for Toyota.

Not too long ago, experiences surfaced that Toyota is dropping the bZ4X (bZ) naming system, so an electrical Previa minivan might make sense.

Toyota has teased different EV revivals, together with electrical Land Cruiser and Supra fashions. It additionally simply launched the City Cruiser electrical SUV in Europe. Examine again quickly for more information on Toyota’s first electrical minivan.