Toyota's Electric Vehicle Emphasis: Prioritizing "Enjoyable Driving Experience"
Toyota, the beloved automotive giant, recently hosted an electrification workshop, focusing on innovation, intelligence, and diversification. The event served as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, some of which have not been previously reported.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the unveiling of next-generation Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) that Toyota plans to release in 2026. These BEVs are set to be entirely different from their current counterparts, marking a significant leap forward in Toyota's electric vehicle strategy.
The Compact eAxle: A Step Forward in Efficiency
At the workshop, Toyota also revealed a compact eAxle currently in development. This innovative system combines the main components needed to make a vehicle run, with the motor being approximately 40% smaller, and the gear train and inverter being slimmed down by 53% and 58% respectively. This reduction in size not only lowers the cargo area floor by 70 mm, freeing up 50 liters of additional interior space, but also allows for a dropped roofline, reducing drag and enabling more stylish silhouettes.
A Manual BEV Experience
The workshop also saw the unveiling of a manual BEV that reproduces the feel of a manual transmission through motor control. This unique offering allows drivers to experience the traditional driving sensation in an electric vehicle, adding a new dimension to the BEV driving experience.
Steer-by-Wire Technology
Another intriguing technology showcased at the event was the steer-by-wire technology. This innovation allows for the steering wheel and tire angle to be controlled with electrical signals, opening up possibilities for new mobility innovations. The Lexus RZ, featured in the workshop lineup, showcased this technology, offering a more intuitive and streamlined driving experience.
The Future of Toyota's BEVs
Toyota's Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima, who serves as the Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the importance of maintaining cars as manufactured goods worthy of affection. He believes that the ways people use cars change with the times, but going for a drive still excites and brings joy. The new BEVs, referred to as "BEVs created by carmakers", are expected to inspire emotional attachments.
The articles following this report will delve into several of these technologies, grouped by the themes of electrification, intelligence, and diversification. The distinction between BEVs created by traditional carmakers and those built by battery manufacturers and tech startups lies in their approach, focus, and integration of technologies.
Traditional carmakers like Tesla, Ford, and Hyundai emphasize a complete vehicle product with a focus on software integration, vehicle design, driving range, and brand ecosystem. In contrast, battery makers and tech startups like BYD and CATL start from battery chemistry and cell production expertise, building the vehicle around breakthrough battery technologies with a vertically integrated model that controls the production from cells to finished BEV.
This results in differences in product emphasis: traditional carmakers often highlight range, software, driving dynamics, and ecosystem, while battery makers/startups emphasize battery safety, cost efficiency, fast charging, and supply chain ownership.
The workshop event provided a testament to Toyota's commitment to innovation and its dedication to maintaining cars as products that evoke emotion and affection. With the unveiling of their next-generation BEVs and the compact eAxle, Toyota is poised to lead the way in the electrification of the automotive industry.
- The workshop hosted by Toyota, an automotive giant, showcased the development of a compact eAxle, which combines major vehicle components, making them smaller and more efficient, freeing up interior space and reducing drag.
- Innovation was also displayed in the form of a manual BEV that replicates the sensation of a manual transmission, adding a new dimension to electric vehicle driving experiences.
- Steer-by-wire technology was another technology showcased, which allows for the steering wheel and tire angle to be controlled electrically, opening possibilities for new mobility innovations.
- In the future, Toyota's next-generation BEVs are expected to inspire emotional attachments, as pointed out by Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima, who stresses the importance of maintaining cars as manufactured goods worthy of affection.
