If you have found yourself wondering where Toyota is in the EV race, you aren’t losing it. The Japanese powerhouse has been strangely quiet on the EV front. It’s especially strange considering that Toyota was a major player in implementing hybrid technology across its lineup. As other manufacturers like Tesla, Honda, and Kia have been spending billions to test the EV market, Toyota has been sitting back, chillin’, and waiting for its time to shine. Well, now might be that time. 

Does Toyota make an all-electric car? 

Weirdly, not really. Toyota has been all about the hybrid thing beginning with the Prius. But last week, Toyota announced it would be making a full-blown electric SUV for the European market based on the e-TNGA platform. Lexus also announced a new hybrid/EV dual-motor system recently. While that is exciting news, how will Toyota’s first EV step to Tesla and friends who have made multiple successful EVs over the last 10 years? 

What is e-TNGA?

This is a modular EV system that Toyota seems to be hanging its hat on for the upcoming EV line. According to Car and Driver, Bob Carter, head of North American sales, confirmed that the US would also be getting an E-SUV. It’s still unclear which brand will deliver the all-electric SUV to the states, but we will be getting one. 

Toyota’s Deputy Chief mentioned that he intends for Toyota to sell at least 5.5 million EVs a year globally by 2025. The Japanese manufacturer has been promising that 2025 was going to be a big year for a while now. 

Toyota has announced its ground breaking solid-state battery tech 

Toyota has been working on these bad boys for years now and is finally sharing with us their success. According to our friends at Gear Patrol, these new batteries promise to be safer and more durable than the current lithium-ion batteries that catch on fire from time to time. The solid-state batteries should also more energy-dense than the old ones. This added density means longer range, sure, but most importantly, they should be able to charge in only 10 minutes. Without range anxiety and long charge times, EVs will likely become the true next wave of getting around. 

When will Toyota actually put this new solid-state battery tech on the roads?

Toyota said that its plan to implement these new batteries into actual cars, like the mysterious ESUV, will likely happen around 2025. Along with all this battery excitement, Toyota also mentioned potentially having a solid-state prototype to show off as early as next year. 

Volkswagen and also seems to be moving ahead with its own solid-state battery development. Even though Toyota has clearly put the majority of its eggs in the solid-state basket, predictably, a former Tesla engineer seems to think that the solid-state batteries are not worth the time. He goes as far as to say he believes they will be “irrelevant” or a “niche player at best.” 

I guess only time will tell. If range and charging time gets handled along with added durability, I don’t see how these new batteries won’t be a major game-changer.