Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota and Lexus to launch three electric cars by 2021

Toyota and Lexus plan on launching three new all-electric cars with plug-in hybrid powertrains also in the pipeline

Toyota LQ concept - badge

Toyota and Lexus are to bring three pure-electric cars to the market by 2021, insiders at the brand have confirmed.

The firm wouldn’t expand on which models would be offered with EV powertrains, though the autonomous Toyota LQ and Lexus EV concepts will be unveiled at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best electric cars to buy 2019

Lexus, meanwhile is ready and able to offer plug-in hybrid powertrains with its model range, but won’t do so until market conditions are right. Toyota recently revealed a plug-in version of its popular RAV4 SUV, however, suggesting a similar system could be fitted to models like the Lexus NX in time.

Car makers operating in Europe have to meet fleet average CO2 emissions of 95g/km by 2021. A Lexus insider confirmed parent company Toyota is in “pretty good shape...up to 2021 based on current projections” with regard to meeting these targets, but research by Jato indicates the firm’s average emissions were sitting at 99.9g/km in 2018 – meaning the company needs to lower them further within the next two years.

Hybrid models like the Prius and Corolla have enabled Toyota to stay ahead of all car makers apart from Tesla and Smart in the CO2 game, but adding pure-electric and plug-in hybrid variants to their respective line-ups will set the firm well on track to hit its target of less than 95g/km. 

“The core [plug-in] technology exists, we’re ready with it,” said Naohisa Hatta, Lexus’s deputy chief engineer for the RX, adding that: “when the time comes and the business case makes sense” the firm would introduce these options.

Lexus bosses also cited evidence that buyers of plug-in hybrids recharge their cars’ batteries frequently in the early stages of ownership, but that company car owners would rather fill up using their employers’ fuel cards, rather than their own electricity at home.

What do you think of Toyota and Lexus' plans for fully-electric cars? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Used Toyota Celica (Mk7, 1999-2006) buyer’s guide: a great modern classic
Used Toyota Celica - front

Used Toyota Celica (Mk7, 1999-2006) buyer’s guide: a great modern classic

A full used buyer’s guide on the Toyota Celica Mk7 that was on sale between 1999 and 2006
Used car tests
19 Jun 2025
The best ever popemobiles
Best ever popemobiles

The best ever popemobiles

For nearly 100 years Popes have had bespoke transport – here we chart the astonishing history of the popemobile
Best cars & vans
8 May 2025
New Toyota bZ7 is a £17,000 electric saloon, but it’s not coming here
Toyota bZ7 - front 3/4 static

New Toyota bZ7 is a £17,000 electric saloon, but it’s not coming here

Toyota is looking to expand its bZ-branded EV range
News
23 Apr 2025
Best Toyota cars: Our top Toyotas present and past
Best Toyota Cars - header

Best Toyota cars: Our top Toyotas present and past

Want to know which are the best Toyotas to buy? Here is our guide to the brand’s best cars, present and past
Best cars & vans
22 Apr 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025