Toyota vehicles are a beautiful factor. All through the many years, the Japanese model has produced rugged, sturdy, and off-road-capable vehicles. Excessive-end Tacomas and Tundras cater to fanatics. Low-end alternate options present simplicity and worth. And Toyota’s vehicles lack, at the least for essentially the most half, a lot of the posturing and pretension of the American full-size truck scene.
One factor Toyota vehicles have by no means been, nevertheless, is fuel-efficient. Even dramatic steps for the present generations, like downsizing engines and incorporating hybrid energy, solely modestly boosted EPA numbers. The true breakthrough — one that would maybe broaden the customer pool even additional for Toyota — can be an all-electric Toyota truck. Surveys have proven that the mere concept of a Toyota electrical truck is extra fashionable than the electrical vehicles with a tangible existence.
Toyota Has Dropped Hints Already
Toyota has confirmed a Hilux BEV for international markets. However we have heard little concrete from Toyota about an electrical pickup for America — past a obscure promise that BEV powertrains have been coming to the truck lineup in 2021. However that does not imply that nothing is occurring. Toyota has debuted idea automobiles for electrical vehicles. Studies and rumblings have recommended that Toyota is exploring the market. And a Toyota presentation confirmed three unrevealed EVs debuting by 2026. Certainly one of them is a pickup truck of some type.
What electrical truck is Toyota bringing to America? There are three outstanding choices.
Will Toyota Construct An Electrical Tacoma?
The Tacoma will get first billing for 2 causes. First, it is borderline inconceivable that Toyota would construct its first electrical truck with out leveraging the highly effective Tacoma branding. Second, Toyota already confirmed us an electrical Tacoma idea. In late 2021, the model unveiled a “Pickup EV” as a part of a worldwide wave of EV ideas. It seemed like a future Tacoma then. And after seeing the fourth-generation Tacoma, it seems to be precisely like an EV model of the present Tacoma.
Toyota’s EV plans have developed, scaled again, and altered within the years since that launch occasion. Autos have been delayed and canceled. The idea current doesn’t assure a future manufacturing model. Nonetheless, we’re seeing ideas from that 2021 occasion start to roll out. There was reporting that means an electrical Tacoma could also be in growth.
Toyota Has Talked About This Risk Earlier than
We all know Toyota has been at the least contemplating an electrical Tacoma. Toyota confirmed to CNBC that it was analyzing each EV and PHEV choices for the Tacoma in 2024. Toyota has reportedly been noticed benchmarking a number of Rivian R1T vehicles. And Drive discovered a Japanese report that Toyota delayed the electrical Land Cruiser Mini in order that Toyota might prioritize growing the powertrain for the Tacoma in North America.
Will Toyota Construct A Compact Electrical Truck Based mostly On The EPU Idea?
Toyota offered another tackle the electrical pickup with the EPU idea at Japan Mobility Present 2023. As a substitute of the body-on-frame Tacoma, the EPU seemed like a compact, unibody pickup. Toyota’s specs made it nearly the exact size of a Ford Maverick however with a ten.8-inch longer wheelbase. It provided a spacious cabin with a nifty 50/50 folding tailgate extending what seemed like a small mattress.
When requested whether or not Toyota would construct a manufacturing model of the EPU idea, a Toyota rep at a media occasion I attended stated to “preserve writing about it.”
Toyota has not dominated out or dominated in an EPU-based electrical truck for America. Nonetheless, the EPU was left-hand drive — Japan makes use of right-hand drive — and the gauge readouts have been in MPH, which suggests Toyota had America in thoughts. When requested whether or not Toyota would construct a manufacturing model, a Toyota rep at a media occasion I attended stated to “preserve writing about it.”
A Toyota truck primarily based on the EPU Idea is reportedly heading to South America in 2027, however it’s a hybrid truck primarily based on the Corolla — not an electrical one. Automotive Information reported that Toyota was pondering a Corolla-based pickup in 2023. And a hybrid pickup — which may very well be constructed within the U.S. alongside the Corolla and compete with the Maverick on value — would possibly make extra sense.
Will Toyota Construct An Electrical Tundra?
Toyota has not but revealed a “look out for our future electrical Tundra” idea. Nonetheless, Toyota has not dominated out an electrical Tundra. The remark to CNBC included the Tundra into account for EV and PHEV choices. Toyota additionally has a refresh coming for its full-size truck. Final yr, there was additionally a report that Toyota was benchmarking full-size electrical vehicles just like the F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV, and Tesla Cybertruck. It might be bizarre for Toyota to lean on the Tundra branding for an EV vs. the Tacoma. Nonetheless, packaging the batteries can be simpler in a bigger, full-size truck; there is a purpose EV vehicles have been a few of the first EVs in the marketplace.
When Will Toyota’s Improved EV Battery Tech Arrive?
One sticking level for Toyota constructing an electrical truck? The model requires higher battery expertise. The one trendy EV Toyota has produced for the American market is the bZ4X (and its RZ Lexus variant). It drives effectively. However its poor vary and sub-par charging expertise felt dated when it launched. Even slashed costs and a sassy Nightshade version will not cease its alternative within the close to future.
To construct an electrical truck, Toyota wants higher, cheaper battery expertise. The model is promising simply that, from game-changing solid-state items to dramatically improved lithium-ion batteries.
How A lot Will A Toyota Electrical Truck Value?
Constructing an electrical truck is one factor. The trick is positioning it at an inexpensive value level the place Toyota can (a) promote it and (b) not lose cash. That will likely be robust. We are able to presume a Tacoma or Tundra EV can be pricier than normal or hybrid fashions, however these vehicles can already get expensive.
The Tacoma hybrid begins at a hair underneath $48,000 after vacation spot with the TRD Sport grade (earlier than tariffs might kick in). The Tundra’s lowest hybrid Restricted grade begins at round $60,000. There’s little room to tackle a premium and slot above these vehicles. And it might look extra like Toyota competing straight with Rivian than providing a worth play. Conversely, it is onerous to see how Toyota would get a compact EV truck’s price down sufficient to fit it beneath the Tacoma.
When Will Toyota’s Electrical Truck Arrive In America?
Toyota has not confirmed any timeline for an electrical truck for America. The Toyota presentation slide reveals a pickup truck launching in 2026. That might seek advice from the reveal date and never the manufacturing launch, which might occur in 2027 for a 2028 model-year automobile. If the silhouette is an electrical Tacoma, it might line up with a refresh for the present technology.
