Although Toyota is a promoter of hybrid propulsion, it has had to respond to trends and is also preparing electric models. But he will take them in his own way, as something new that wants to change the driving experience.
–
Electric cars are a trend in today’s automotive world, but Toyota has long stayed away. It still believes in hybrid propulsion and, in the future, hydrogen, with fuel cells. However, electric drive is inevitable today, also due to legislation and growing customer interest, and so Toyota must respond.
Toyota is therefore preparing 10 electric cars listed by 2025. Like other car manufacturers, it will have a distinctive family of electric models, in this case
called bZ (beyond Zero). Its first representative will be a crossover, the shapes of which are indicated by the Toyota bZ4X concept presented at the Shanghai Motor Show. We talked about it and further developments in the field of electric drive with Andrea Carlucci, Product and Marketing Director of the European division of Toyota.
–
–
The Toyota bZ4X is presented as a concept, but it is very close to the production car. So how close is the serial version?
If I use a marketing term, it’s such a prologue. It is a very advanced concept.
The concept attracted a very unconventional steering wheel solution. What is his reason?
We can say that we will be the first to use this wire control solution in China. We cannot yet homologate this system in Europe, so we cannot use it here yet. In any case, it fundamentally changes the shape of the steering wheel, which is adapted to wire control. In our opinion, this will fundamentally change the view of the car and the driving experience, because it eliminates, for example, the influence of the road surface. This is our goal, to change the driving experience. Often, only electric range is mentioned in connection with electric cars. But we are thinking of a new type of car that can change the way you look at them.
–
–
Toyota is a big proponent of hybrid propulsion, but the near future, at least in Europe, appears to be marked by electric propulsion. Is something changing in your view of electric propulsion?
Electric car technology is evolving faster than we expected, legislation is changing, so we had to react. In any case, we remain loyal to our direction.
We still believe that the future of hydrogen-powered passenger cars is longer in terms of carbon neutrality and environmental friendliness. However, electric propulsion is suitable for the city, whether we are talking about subcomponents or even smaller vehicles. In any case, we still believe that the hybrid together with plug-in hybrids will remain the most important solution. Our plans continue to anticipate that in 2025, our European sales will be made up of 70% hybrids.
You say that electric drive pays off especially for small cars. But the bZ4X concept is quite large. So why does it have an electric drive?
I can already confirm that it is a RAV4-sized car. It is a global model. So it may be big from the point of view of Europe, but not from the point of view of the whole world.
You continue to promote hydrogen propulsion, which is at least a bit out of the question in Europe. Is the arrival of an electric car related to this?
Objectively, this is a big challenge. The European Commission is counting on hydrogen propulsion in the future, but the infrastructure has not yet responded. We need to make sure that we do not move to just one solution until the infrastructure is ready. We are part of an ecosystem, so we have to listen to our customers, so without them we cannot promote any technology. Customers need to get the technology available, the technology they want. I personally use Mirai in Brussels, but I understand that looking for one hydrogen station is not ideal for everyone.
–
–
It has long been said that the future of electric vehicles is marked by solid-state batteries. How is their development progressing? Will we see them in the first serial model of the bZ family?
We are developing batteries with a solid electrolyte and we declare that we will use them until about 2025. However, the first bZ cars will arrive next year, which is also the answer to your question. In any case, these batteries offer an ideal ratio between the weight and capacity of the batteries and their recharging. So the trend is moving in this direction, but it still takes time, the technology still needs to be developed.
The Toyota bZ4X is your next joint project with Subaru. Can you describe which parts which of the partners supplied?
It’s hard for us to separate, because it’s really a joint project in which we work closely with friends from Subaru. However, I can say that Toyota’s philosophy is not only about working together and sharing technology, but also about using the best from each of the partners. In this case, we are talking about all-wheel drive. We have enough experience with it, but we wanted to have the character that Subaru is known for with this car. So the ATV is something that added Subaru.
–
–
So what drive concept will the car use?
We will use both front-wheel drive and all. The new e-TNGA platform for electric vehicles allows us some freedom, thanks to its adaptation to the electric drive. It uses batteries in the floor to reduce the center of gravity. For bZ models with e-TNGA, we were able to increase the interior space. These models focus on the driving experience. They offer space and airiness thanks to large glazing.
Now many automakers are expanding in the field of electromobility, the electric platforms are to some extent very similar. What features will your electric cars want to attract?
We believe that we are coming up with something new, fresh. We are not just making a car with a battery, but a completely new concept. We think it will be an experience, driver integration or interior architecture. Our experience with the development of hybrid drives and the related development of batteries is also important. This is how we know how batteries behave under what conditions. I must also mention the durability, durability, which is related to our experience with cars with batteries. We also want to impress with connectivity. We will use the most modern solutions, but according to Toyota, we will create a reliable environment without failures and errors.
– .
