Toyota in big push on BEVs and battery tech – but not on World Car of the Year list yet

The models were shown as the final list of the World Car of the Year award 2024 was published – with an unprecedented number of electric vehicles.

There are no Toyota BEVs on the electric list, but expect to see some soon as the Japanese giant kicks into overdrive.

As well making more BEVs, low and zero emissions cars, it intends making key models more affordable too. It calls this a “multi-pathway” approach as it focuses on a range of electrified mobility products. This was all outlined at its recent Kenshiki forum.

It is also claiming a breakthrough in solid-state battery technologies which will, it says, dramatically increase the range and density of BEVs. An example of what it is aiming for is a 10pc to 80pc charge in just 10 minutes. Much of what was on display will hit our roads and cars within a few years.

Several next-generation battery electric concepts were shown at the forum.

The line-up is based on a new modular design architecture. The FT-Se concept is a high-performance, zero emissions two-seater sports car.

The FT-3e exploits design and technology. It is designed to achieve the lowest possible weight and best possible aerodynamics as a means of extracting greater efficiency and range.

Toyota says the concept encapsulates a broad range of future technologies that transcend being carbon-neutral mobility – so it could be like a transfer medium for data and energy either to and/or from the car itself or its surroundings.

The Urban SUV concept is a close-to-production design, with the option of all-wheel drive. The Sport Crossover concept signals an alternative to SUV models.

The first in a series of new batteries will be a performance version, expected to have twice the range and cost 20pc less than the current bZ4X.

This will be followed by a low-cost battery to help popularise BEVs. It will have a new shape, a bipolar structure and use cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as its principal material. It expects it to increase range by 20pc and reduce cost by 40pc. The third battery will focus on high performance, with lower costs and a further extended driving range.

The list of finalists for the 2024 World Car of the Year award are: the Abarth 500e, BYD Atto 3/Yuan Plus, Dolphin, Seal/Atto 4, Chevrolet Trax, Citroen C3 Aircross, Dayun ES3/SEV E-Wan Cross, Dorcen E20/Elaris Dyo, Fisker Ocean, Ford Bronco; GWM Haval H6, ORA 07/Lightning Cat/Grand Cat, WEY 03/Coffee 02/Latte 02, Honda e, Ny1/e:NS1/e:NP1, Hyundai Kona, Santa Fe, Kia EV9, KG Mobility Torres/SsangYong Torres, Lexus LBX, Maxus Mifa 9, Mazda CX-50, CX-90, MG One, Mitsubishi Outlander, NIO ET5, Omoda O5/ Chery Arizzo 5, Peugeot 408/408X, Seres 5/SF5, Smart #3, Subaru Crosstrek, Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Prius, Volvo EX30, XPeng G9, XPeng P7, VW ID.7, Zeekr 001, Zeekr X.

World Urban Car: Abarth 500e, BYD Dolphin, Dayun ES3/ SEV E-Wan Cross, Dorcen E20/Elaris Dyo, Lexus LBX, Suzuki Fronx, Volvo EX30. World Luxury Car: BMW 5 series/i5, HiPhi X, Z, Hongqi E-HS9, Ineos Grenadier, Lexus LM, Mercedes CLE, E-Class, EQE SUV, NIO ES6/EL6, ES7/EL7, ET7/Voyah Free.

World Performance Car: Aston Martin DB12, BMW i7 M70/BMW M2, BMW X1 M35i, XM, Ferrari Purosangue, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Lotus Eletre, Maserati GranTurismo, Mercedes-AMG C 63, EQE AMG SUV, AMG GT, AMG S 63, MG4 Electric XPOWER, Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, Range Rover Sport SV, Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5 GTX.

World Electric Vehicle: Abarth 500e, BMW i5, BYD Atto 3/Yuan Plus, BYD Dolphin, Seal/Atto 4, Dayun ES3/SEV, E-Wan Cross, Dorcen E20/Elaris Dyo, Fisker Ocean, Genesis Electrified GV70, GWM ORA 07/Lightning Cat/Grand Cat, HiPhi X, HiPhi Z/Hongqi E-HS9, Honda e:Ny1/e, NS1/e:NP1, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV9, Lotus Eletre, Maxus Mifa 9, Mercedes EQE SUV, NIO ES6/EL6, ES7/EL7, ET5, NIO ET7, Seres 5/SF5, Smart #3, VW ID.7, Volvo EX30, Voyah Free, XPeng G9, P7, Zeekr 001, Zeekr X.