Toyota is hitting the brakes—slightly—on one of its major EV infrastructure projects in Japan. While the company still plans to move forward with a new battery plant, construction won’t begin as soon as originally expected. The pause comes as Toyota adjusts its EV strategy.

The plant is slated for Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture, and according to local Governor Seitaro Hattori, an agreement on the exact location was supposed to be finalized in April. That timeline has now slipped to sometime in the fall. The facility had been scheduled to start operations in 2028, but the delay could push that date back as well.

Read: Toyota’s Cheapest EV Ever Costs $15,000, Gets 10,000 Orders In 60 Minutes

Toyota is still committed to building the facility, Nikkei Asia reports, but the company is now reevaluating what will actually be produced there. Initially, the plant was intended to manufacture batteries for Toyota’s next generation of electric vehicles, some of which are targeting a range of up to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers).

The shift reflects a broader recalibration of Toyota’s EV ambitions. While global electric car sales are still climbing, they’re not accelerating as fast as some carmakers once projected. That mismatch between forecasts and reality is now prompting the company to rethink its targets.

Back in 2022, Toyota announced it aimed to sell 1.5 million EVs annually by 2026. That number was cut to 1 million in 2023, and most recently trimmed again to just 800,000 units. The company hasn’t abandoned EVs by any stretch, it’s simply adjusting expectations in a market that’s proving to be more complex and less predictable than initially suggested.

Earlier this month, Toyota established a new Chinese subsidiary for Lexus that will develop and build EVs and batteries at a plant in China. The plant will be located in Shanghai and will manufacture several models exclusively for the Chinese market.  

There’s no shortage of chatter about the expanding future of Toyota’s GR lineup, which is expected to include an array of high-performance sports cars ranging from a new Celica and MR2 to the next Supra and even a GR supercar. While many of these machines will be powered by traditional gasoline engines and hybrids, an independent digital artist has introduced a completely electric twist to the mix.

Enter the Toyota bZ86, a fictional creation by digital artist Theophilus Chin. The idea behind the this coupe study is to retain the sporty proportions of Toyota’s current GR86, but with an entirely new, electrified twist.

More: These Are All The Future Sports Cars Coming From Toyota GR

Despite borrowing the GR86’s general shape, the bZ86 adopts a completely different design language. In keeping with its electric nature, Chin took inspiration from the recently revealed Toyota CH-R+ crossover and the facelifted bZ4x, resulting in a sleek, futuristic look.

At the front, the electric sports car features a hammerhead-like nose, flanked by sharp headlights and wide bumper intakes. The side profile is aggressively sculpted, with a bi-tone finish on the roofline and side skirts adding a touch of flair. And, of course, the oversized charging port on the front fenders leaves no doubt—this coupe needs to be plugged-in.

Illustrations: Theottle

A Familiar Rear with a Fresh Twist

The rear of the bZ86 borrows heavily from the CH-R+ crossover, with its full-width LED taillights and sloping rear glass. While the plastic cladding on the rear bumper may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s balanced out by the addition of a sporty diffuser. That said, the placement of the license plate holder could use a little more subtlety.

More: Mazda Inline-Six Rumor For New GR Supra And RX-7 Sounds Too Wild To Be True

Since this is purely a digital concept, there are no hard specs to go on. However, the dual-motor setup from the C-HR+, which puts out a combined 338 horsepower (252 kW / 343 PS), could easily serve as the basis for an electric equivalent of the GR86. Pair that with the crossover’s 77 kWh battery pack, and you could expect a range north of 326 miles (525 km) in a more aerodynamic coupe form.

Despite the cool factor of the project, Toyota Gazoo Racing has no plans of introducing an electric sportscar – at least in the near future. The truth is that most buyers will be better off with the upcoming gas-guzzling Celica, MR2, GR86, and GR Supra, temporarily leaving the concept of electric mobility to the hands of family-focused SUVs.

While the bZ86 is an undeniably cool proposal, Toyota Gazoo Racing has no plans to bring an electric sports car to life—at least not anytime in the near future. For now, most enthusiasts will have to do with gasoline-powered options, such as the upcoming Celica, MR2, GR86, and GR Supra, leaving the world of electric mobility to Toyota’s family-friendly SUVs.

The Toyota bZ4x has just received a mid-cycle update, and it looks like its Subaru twin, the Solterra, may soon follow suit. But these two crossovers won’t be the only EVs born from the Toyota-Subaru partnership. In 2026, the automakers are reportedly planning to expand their lineup with a pair of new compact SUVs.

More: Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year

In an effort to keep research and development costs manageable, these new compact SUVs are expected to share key components with the e-TNGA platform already used by the bZ4x and Solterra. This includes components like battery packs and electric motors. This collaboration allows both Toyota and Subaru to cut costs and allocate more resources to other projects.

New EV Models Teased by Toyota

Earlier this week, Toyota teased three new EVs that will launch by 2026. These will join the ranks of the bZ4x, C-HR+, and Urban Cruiser in Toyota’s lineup. Two of the teased vehicles seem to be production versions of the EPU pickup and the Land Cruiser SE, both of which were shown as concepts in 2023. This has led to speculation that the third teaser might be the compact SUV that Toyota and Subaru are working on together.

If this is indeed the case, the new EVs are expected to adopt a more traditional SUV shape compared to the bZ4x and Solterra crossovers. The design hints at a profile similar to the upcoming Toyota RAV4, with a sharp nose, roof rails, and a more upright rear end. While the Toyota and Subaru versions will likely share much of their exterior and interior design, each will probably feature a distinctive front end to help buyers tell them apart.

Expanding the EV Market in Key Regions

According to Best Car, these new compact SUVs will be available in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., broadening both Toyota and Subaru’s zero-emission offerings in the compact SUV segment. Unlike the bZ4x and Solterra, which are currently produced at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant, the new jointly-developed models will reportedly be built at Subaru’s Yajima plant in Japan, with production set to start in January 2026.

While Toyota already offers three EVs (bZ4x, CH-R+, and Urban Cruiser) in Europe, the Solterra remains the sole zero-emission offering in Subaru’s global lineup. That will soon change, with this new SUV being one of four electric models Subaru plans to launch in collaboration with Toyota.

Subaru’s Own EV Ambitions

In addition to the jointly-developed vehicles, Subaru has its sights set on launching its first in-house-developed electric vehicle by 2028. These launches are part of a broader effort to have battery-electric vehicles account for half of Subaru’s global sales by 2030, a goal that will likely require a mix of joint and solo ventures, with both Toyota and Subaru continuing to expand their electric offerings over the next several years.

Toyota is slowly but surely making its move into the electric vehicle market after years of focusing more on hybrids. A Yaris sub-compact will eventually join the EV lineup, but don’t expect it to be part of Toyota’s immediate plans, as larger EVs are taking priority right now.

Read: Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year

Andrea Carlucci, the Director of Marketing and Product Development at Toyota Motor Europe, shed some light on the company’s upcoming EV strategy. In an interview with Autocar, Carlucci was asked about the potential for an electric Yaris. “This is the idea, but right now, it’s not something we talk about…” he told the magazine. “The right moment will come, but it’s not quite now.”

Bigger Is Better, for Now

The executive clarified that Toyota’s approach is to launch EVs in the “fastest-growing segments,” such as compact, midsize, and executive vehicles, categories that are seen as having more sales potential than subcompact models like the Yaris. Carlucci added, “For us, it is all about the right car, the right place at the right time, it really is. And at the moment, the expansion you’re seeing are the right segments for Europe for us right now.”

Toyota’s current EV lineup in Europe includes the recently facelifted bZ4X, the new C-HR+, and the Urban Cruiser. The latter shares its platform with the Suzuki e-Vitara and has a similar size to the Toyota Yaris Cross, suggesting that Toyota’s push into the subcompact SUV market has given them the breathing room to delay the Yaris EV, keeping R&D costs in check.

Future Toyota EVs: Familiar Names, Familiar Faces

Carlucci also revealed that future Toyota EVs will carry “familiar names from current cars,” meaning the electric Yaris will likely stick with the Yaris badge. Given the Yaris’ history, it’s expected that the EV version will make its debut toward the end of the decade. Before that, Toyota plans to introduce an electric pickup and two electric SUVs by 2026. Also on the horizon is the production version of the FT-Me heavy quadricycle, which is designed to compete with the Citroen Ami.

More: Toyota FT-Me Concept Previews Sub-2.5-Meters Urban EV

The Toyota Yaris has proven to be quite popular since the arrival of the first-generation model in 1999. The fourth-generation model was introduced in 2019, receiving a mild facelift in 2024. In Europe and the UK, the Yaris is now exclusively offered with a self-charging hybrid powertrain, although the gasoline variant is still available in Japan.

Besides the Yaris and the Yaris Cross, the family also includes the rally-bred GR Yaris hot hatch, although it rides on a bespoke chassis with elements from the bigger Corolla. According to the latest reports, Toyota could add a dose of electrification in the successor of the GR Yaris in the form of a self-charging hybrid setup.

Electric pickup trucks are becoming an increasingly common sight as a growing number of eco-conscious buyers look to combine practicality and ruggedness with zero emissions. Toyota is now teasing an all-electric pickup of its own, though this new model appears unrelated to the electric Hilux currently in development for Thailand and Australia.

A single teaser image showing the truck’s silhouette was shown at Toyota’s event in Belgium last night, where the company also unveiled the new bZ4X, C-HR+, and 2026 Lexus RZ. The mystery pickup was teased alongside two other upcoming Toyota models—one of which may be the electric three-row SUV that has reportedly been pushed back to 2026.

Read: Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year

As noted by InsideEVs, the pickup shown in this teaser has a double-cab design, unlike the single-cab electric Hilux previewed in Thailand this time last year. It also doesn’t look like the double-cab Hilux prototype Toyota is testing alongside mining giant BHP in Australia.

One possibility is that the new electric pickup being developed by Toyota could be a production-ready Tacoma EV, inspired by a concept shown to the world in late 2021. But, given that the Tacoma nameplate isn’t used on European soil, it may indicate at a production version of the EPU Concept from 2023, a compact electric pickup that’s apparently due to hit the market in 2027 in key markets like South America.

Given that we don’t know exactly what we’re looking at, technical details about a potential new electric truck from Toyota remain a mystery. It would conceivably be based on one of the brand’s existing platforms and likely be offered with the same improved electric motors as found in the updated bZ4X and the new C-HR+.

While speaking about the three unidentified future models, Toyota Motor Europe president and chief executive Yoshihiro Nakata said, “these three parts [of the EV strategy] will focus on enhancing the customer’s lifestyle just as powerfully as they enhance our carbon neutrality goals.”

Toyota has launched the FT-Me Concept, communicating its intention of entering the micromobility segment. The urban EV is expected to evolve into a production model, competing against the likes of the Citroen Ami, Fiat Topolino, and Mobilize Duo heavy quadricycles.

According to Toyota, the FT-Me concept combines “premium design with affordability”. The exterior design is inspired by a jet helmet, featuring pronounced fenders, tiny overhangs, and high-mounted LEDs. Thanks to the use of recycled materials, the automaker targets a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to today’s urban vehicles.

More: Toyota’s New C-HR+ EV May Launch In The US Next Year

With a length of under 2.5 m (98.4 inches), the FT-Me is over 1,2 m (47.2 inches) smaller than the Toyota Aygo X. In other words, it occupies half of a standard parking space, or one third when perpendicular parking is available. The small footprint, high maneuverability, and “360-degree visibility” of the FT-Me make it ideal for urban use.

The cabin has a two-seater layout, although the passenger seat can be removed for carrying larger items. The rectangular steering wheel is designed with wheelchair users in mind and allows the vehicle to be “driven solely by hand commands” without the need of pedals. The dashboard has a small screen serving as a digital instrument cluster with advanced connectivity features.

Toyota

Solar Charging Can Cover Your Daily Needs

The lightweight FT-Me consumes three times less energy per km compared to a typical EV with a high-capacity battery. The range is estimated at around 100 km (62 miles) between charges, although it could be extended by 20-30 km (12-19 miles) thanks to the roof-mounted solar panels.

Toyota claims that the extra range from the sun covers the expected daily usage of the urban EV, removing the need to plug it into a charger, although this largely depends on weather conditions and how one drives the car.

More: 2025 Citroen Ami Gets Funkier With Bulging Eyes And 2CV-Style Gills

While we don’t have the specifications of the electric powertrain, we can make some assumptions based on the regulations of the L6e segment. These require a limited top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) and would allow the smallest Toyota to be driven by 14-year-olds in certain markets.

Will It Reach The Market?

The FT-Me might be presented as a concept, but there is a clear intention of evolving it for production. As reported by Quattroruote, Stijn Peeters, head of Toyota’s New Mobility division, said that “There is a market for a vehicle like this. And Toyota is able to produce it on a large scale at low costs.”

A heavy quadricycle by Toyota could reach the market sometime over the next few years, with a price tag of under €10,000 ($10,900). The model could be joined by other micromobility solutions, similar to the ones created for the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Toyota has added a new EV to its range, and it’s one that no one really saw coming. Dubbed the C-HR+, it’s similar in name to the existing C-HR sold in international markets, but it is bigger and is expected to be sold in the United States next year. So far, it’s only been announced in European specification and slots below the larger bZ4X in the Toyota family.

Despite what the name of the C-HR+ might have you believe, it is not based on the gas-powered C-HR, and, instead, has the same e-TNGA 2.0 platform as the bZ4X. Unlike that model that’s often panned for its weird looks, the C-HR+ is much sleeker and more refined. Whether or not that helps it sell better than the bZ4X remains to be seen, but it’s a good start.

Read: 2025 Toyota bZ4X Gets $6,000 Price Cut, New Nightshade Edition

The new Toyota C-HR+ sits on a 108.2-inch (2,750 mm) wheelbase, exactly four inches shorter than the wheelbase of the bZ4X. The brand says the C-HR+ is more catered towards singles and couples, whereas the bZ4X is a family car. As developing and building new EVs from scratch is very costly, Toyota is using similar powertrain options to the bZ4X.

Base models in Europe will feature a 57.7 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor driving the front wheels, delivering 165 hp (123 kW). Toyota says this model will be good for 283 miles (455 km) of range on the WLTP cycle and can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in a respectable 8.6 seconds. A more powerful FWD version with a 77 kWh pack has also been announced, kicking out 221 hp (165 kW) and boasting 373 miles (600 km) of range while dropping its 0-62 mph sprint time to 7.4 seconds.

Sitting at the top of the C-HR+ family will be a twin-motor, all-wheel drive model with 338 hp (252 kW), a 77 kWh battery pack, and a 0-62 mph time of 5.2 seconds. This model has a claimed range of 326 miles (525 km).

The Electric Toyota Americans Have Been Waiting For?

Toyota has not confirmed if the C-HR+ will be sold in the US, and in a statement issued to Carscoops, simply said, “We have no U.S. product announcements at this time.” However, offering the C-HR+ locally will help the brand meet the Advanced Clean Car II sales regulations in six states that’ll go into effect for the 2026MY.

China is quickly establishing itself as the global epicenter for affordable electric vehicles, and for good reason. However, most of the budget-friendly EVs have come from homegrown brands that have been able to work around the traditional constraints that have slowed down legacy automakers.

But now, even Toyota, a legacy company that’s been criticized for its sluggishness in adopting electric vehicles, is jumping into the fray with a shockingly low starting price in the Chinese market, especially considering its size and features.

See: Everything We Know About The 2026 Toyota RAV4

The vehicle in question is the bZ3X and it’s been brought to life thanks to Toyota’s joint venture with GAC. It was first presented in December, but sales of it only just started. It’s proven to be so popular that more than 10,000 orders were placed for it within an hour, causing the system to crash. Looking at what shoppers will be getting for their money, it’s easy to understand why the bZ3X is so red hot.

Pricing Details

Prices for the electric SUV start at 109,800 yuan, or roughly $15,000 at current exchange rates. Considering the compact SUV’s size and features, that’s an incredibly competitive price. For context, the GAC Toyota Highlander, similar to the one sold in North America, starts at 284,800 yuan ($39,300), while the Camry starts at 171,800 yuan ($23,700).

At that price, you’re getting the base version of the bZ3X, called the 430 Air. It comes with a 50.03 kWh LFP battery pack. While that’s on the smaller side for an SUV of this size, Toyota claims it’s good for 267 miles (430 km) of range on the CTLC cycle. However, since China’s testing cycle tends to be extremely generous, the real-world range will likely be closer to 250 miles (402 km). If you’re looking for a bit more equipment, there’s also a slightly upgraded 430 Air+ version available, starting at 119,800 yuan (~$16,500).

Toyota will also offer the bZ3X in 520 Pro (¥120,980 / ~$16,700) and 520 Pro+ (¥139,800 / ~$19,300) guises, both of which use a larger 58.37 kWh battery and have a quoted range of 323 miles (520 km). All 430 and 520 models feature a single 204 hp electric motor. The version offering the most range is the 610 Max, rocking a 67.92 kWh pack and good for 379 miles (610 km) on a charge. It also has a more powerful 224 hp motor. It starts at ¥159,800 (~$22,000)

Two versions of the 520 Pro offering advanced driver-assistance systems have also been announced, priced at ¥149,800 (~$20,700) and ¥159,800 (~$22,000), respectively. These models include 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, 3mm wave radars, and one LiDAR, all powered by the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin X.

The cabin of the bZ3X certainly isn’t super-luxurious as far as Chinese-built EVs go, but it does look decent. It features a 14.6-inch infotainment display, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11-speaker Yamaha audio system, all fitted as standard.

The SUV itself measures 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) in width, and 1,645 mm (64.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm (108.8 inches), meaning it’s roughly the same size as a RAV4 It weighs in at 1,835 kg (4,045 lbs), which is fairly typical for this type of electric vehicle.

Toyota’s latest EV measures 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) in width, and 1,645 mm (64.7 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm (108.8 inches). It tips the scales at 1,835 kg (4,045 lbs).

Since early 2020, American consumers have had to come to terms with a new kind of normal. Products and services are not as plentiful as we’ve grown accustomed to. Covid-19 and the occasional freak weather patterns have wreaked havoc on a number of industries in many ways, especially in terms of shortages. The restaurant industry is struggling to hire viable and reliable employees. Grocery stores are out of products, specifically goods originating from meat-packing plants. And we all know how paper products like toilet paper were hard to come by for many months. Nearly all industries are having some growing pains adapting to the unavoidable changes taking place, including automobile manufacturers.

Madisonians have noticed the dearth of new vehicles for the past several months when they pass by Smart Toyota on Odana Road. What has been a car lot brimming with options for decades has suddenly become a sort of ghost town with only a handful or so of vehicles on the lot.

“It’s a very noticeable difference,” says Smart Toyota’s sales director Justin Jackson. “We normally have 400 or more new vehicles on the lot, but since mid-April 2021 we’ve seen a steady decline in the number of New Toyotas we have on the lot. Now we only have maybe 5 to 10 new vehicles physically at the store.”

Jackson says the pandemic is partially to blame for the shortage because modern vehicles rely on computer chips which became scarce due to manufacturers reallocating them to industries other than automotive. Then, early in 2021 the issue in new vehicle manufacturing were winter storms that crippled Texas-based businesses that are critical in the manufacturing of foam for seats.

“If it’s not one thing it’s another,” says Jackson. “We’ve got the chips, but because of the power issues Texas faced in the Spring of 2021, we didn’t have enough foam padding for the seats, and today, as production ramps up, it’s supply chain and logistical issues.”

It’s Not All Doom and Gloom

Those looking to purchase a new vehicle seem to understand the slow-down in global manufacturing, Jackson says. Instead of getting upset they can’t drive off the lot with a vehicle they think is “good enough,” consumers are now more apt to customize and pre-order a vehicle specifically made to their specifications.

“It’s kind of cool how people have adapted,” says Jackson. “They might not get that prior sense of immediate gratification of new car ownership, but they get to experience something else: personalization.”

Jackson explains the process of pre-ordering has been well-received for a few reasons, one of which is the compassion the consumer feels about simple logistics as they relate to inventory issues in this day and age.

Vehicle Customization increases satisfaction

“They also really like the fact we can get them exactly what they want; from safety features and amenities, to color preference,” says Jackson. “And when their customized vehicle comes in – usually in about 45 days – they are over the moon when they see the Happy New Car Day sign bearing their name saying the car was made specifically for them. It takes ‘ownership’ to a whole new level.”

Custom Pre-Orders on the Rise

Jackson says about five percent of Smart’s new vehicle sales used to be custom ordered. Today the percentage has skyrocketed to about 50 percent of the dealership’s monthly new car sales. And, Jackson notes, when a consumer has all the customizable options at his or her disposal, no one opts for a base model in order to save a buck or two.

“Often times, though, it’s not options that are the most appealing aspect of pre-ordering,” says Jackson. “Instead, currently, there has been a surge in hybrid vehicle sales. And now in winter, AWD (all-wheel drive) vehicles will see a spike in popularity.”

If you know you are going to order a customized vehicle, Jackson says it might be best to do a little homework prior to meeting with a sales consultant.

“People take a lot of amenities for granted, but if you’re customizing, you should consider some of the following options,” he says.

Custom Pre-Order Checklist

1. Entertainment & Communications: think about your stereo system. Do you still need a CD player? How about satellite radio capability? Hands-free phone control? A video system? Navigation?
2. Comfort & Convenience: this includes upholstery, heated/cooled seats, power door locks, keyless entry, dual climate control, etc.
3. Safety: the simple rule of thumb is the more you can install, the more secure you’ll feel. If you can, opt for dual air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, cruise control, and parking assist systems.
4. Appearance: the most enjoyable aspect of customizing is picking out your paint, trim, and wheels.
5. Performance: what do you need to get from point A to point B in your daily life? A larger engine? Sport suspension? 4-wheel drive? Automatic transmission or stick?

Jackson says while customers are not complaining right now about having to customize and then wait for their new ride, he anticipates their patience won’t last forever. However, he also doesn’t see new vehicle inventory returning to “normal” in the immediate future, and with customer satisfaction currently at such a high level he’s not overly anxious about it.

“At this point, we do not see ‘ground stock’ (vehicles physically on the lot) back to our previously average levels before the end of the year,” he says. “That could change, but we really don’t see it happening until late 2022.”

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