Are you ready to jump onto the electric vehicle bandwagon? A Toyota Electric SUV is waiting for you.
Toyota has unveiled a new electric SUV, the bZ4X. The vehicle is a sign of Toyota’s zero-emission future goal and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bZ4X is designed as a high-tech alternative to traditional SUVs with an estimated range of pretty high mileage and pace to beat the rivals.
So, let us dig deep into the key benefits of electric vehicles in general and how far Toyota Electric SUV lives up to your expectation in particular.
Toyota Electric Vehicle History
Toyota is not new to electric vehicles and hybrid technology. In 1997 it was the industry leader with the introduction of the very popular Prius. The Prius is still the top-selling hybrid today. In 2012 the RAV4 EV began assembly at Toyota’s facility in Woodstock, Ontario. The RAV4 EV was the result of a collaboration with Tesla. It was only available in Canada, and only 2,600 cars were manufactured and sold. Due to its short range, the battery supply deal between Toyota and Tesla ended in August of 2014, resulting in the termination of production.
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The Current RAV4 Prime
The 2022 RAV4 Prime was released in mid-December 2021. It is not a fully electric vehicle, but it outperforms the hybrid version. It is a (PHEV) plug-in hybrid. The powertrain is capable of up to 302 hp, which makes it much more powerful than any other RAV4. It offers up to 42 miles of mileage backed by pure electric power when fully charged. It is also capable of more power than any other RAV4. The Prime is only surpassed in speed by the Supra sports car.
| Model | Price | Features |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE | Starting at
$40,300 |
|
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE | Starting at
$43,625 |
|
Introducing the bZ4X
This year, Toyota rolled out the 2023 bZ4X, a fully electric SUV, and it is turning heads. It is currently offered in limited quantities in select cities and countries. The bZ4X is a result of co-development with the Subaru Solterra, and these EVs are nearly identical. The Subaru is more expensive and comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Read Also: Best Hybrid Pickup Trucks
Features
Toyota, like with their other models, equipped the bz4x with its standard driver assistance features, including pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking.
You can enjoy the breathtaking view through the panoramic glass roof. It’s the perfect car add-on for you to enjoy the open road and the sky.
Adaptive Cruise Control keeps you at a safe distance from other vehicles, while a Lane-Departure Warning alerts you when you drift out of your lane. Lane-Keeping Assist keeps your car in the center of your lane. Toyota like Blind-Spot Monitoring warns you when a vehicle enters your blind spot. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert warns you when you’re backing up. The Safe Exit Assist technology helps you safely pull into parking spaces. Super control and max safety are what these features provide you with.
Powertrain
The bZ4X is available in XLE and Limited models. Both models are available with a single motor and front-wheel drive or you may choose the dual motors and all-wheel-drive setup. And either powertrain has almost identical batteries. There is a 63. 4 kWh battery pack in the single motor version and a 65. 5 kWh pack in the dual motor model. The price of an upgrade to dual motors and all-wheel drive will set you back $2080.
Interior
The dashboard of the bZ4X has a digital gauge display, as well as a 12-inch central touchscreen. The navigation is included for three years, after which it is available via subscription. There is no glovebox between the two front seats in the center console, but there is open storage underneath and wireless charging. A heating element in the lower dash that warms the front seat rider’s legs is an optional feature.
Limited Luxury
The Limited model delivers luxury and technology that sets it apart. From the heated steering wheel and front seats to Softex® faux leather upholstery, the Limited has a luxurious interior and plenty of tech features. The multi-view camera gives you a bird’s eye view of the road ahead so you can see traffic conditions and adjust your speed accordingly. And the Limited gets upgraded 20-inch wheels for optimized performance.
The Limited’s extra luxuries make it worth the additional spend.
| Model | Price | Features |
| bZ4X XLE | Starting at
$42,000 |
|
| bZ4X Limited | Starting at
$46,700 |
|
Environmental Impact, Why Electric?
Car emissions top the list of most significant contributors to air pollution. The cars that we drive today emit about five million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. This is equivalent to the annual output of two coal-fired power plants. The EPA estimates that vehicles generate around 75% of the carbon monoxide pollution in the U.S.
Carbon dioxide emissions from cars contribute to climate change. They also contribute to ozone depletion and acid rain.
Car manufacturers are working on making the cars that we drive more fuel-efficient. However, the first step towards saving the environment is to decrease our reliance on cars.
There are many options that we can explore to save the environment. One of those goals we must meet is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
In the future, we will see cars that run on hydrogen instead of gasoline. There are several companies that are developing these cars. We will also see cars that run on electricity and cars that run on compressed natural gas.
Hydrogen-powered cars have been around for a long time, but all the bugs have not been worked out yet for mass production.
EV Benefits
1. Low Cost of Ownership
Let’s start with the obvious one. An all-electric car is much cheaper to run than any of its traditional counterparts.
2. Long Battery Life
The good news is that an all-electric car has a very high energy density.
3. Clean Driving Environment
This is perhaps one of the most significant benefits of all-electric cars.
4. Cost of Maintenance
Another thing to note is that an electric car will require very little maintenance: no regular oil changes, no filter replacement, and no spark plugs.
5. Improved Safety
There is no gas tank to leak and explode. And it is much safer to drive.
Potential Savings
As more incentives and fuel savings come online, and as the cost of electric vehicle batteries continues to decline, the average consumer will soon pay less to purchase an EV than they do to buy conventional gasoline or diesel vehicle.
EVs are low-cost maintenance, affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly option compared to traditional gas vehicles. Remember to check for available tax incentives.
Toyota Recalls Brand-New bZ4X EVs
Toyota recalls 2,700 bZ4X crossover vehicles globally due to loose wheel bolts. This comes just a few months after release. This is a concerning issue for Japanese automakers.
The details of Toyota’s recall are still under investigation. Corrections will need to be made before mass production.
Charging Performance
Level 1: 120-Volt
The 120-Volt charger is an excellent pick for drivers who have a short commute. You can go from a low battery light to fully charged in 50 hours. You can charge up anywhere you have access to a standard household 3-prong outlet.
Level 2: 240-Volt
At 240 volts, the power supply charges the battery even faster than at 110 volts. In under 9.5 hours of charging time, you’ll get a full charge and can travel between 242 and 252 miles on a single charge.
ChargePoint®, Qmerit offers various potential charger and installation options. Public Level 2 charging stations are available in major cities across the country.
Level 3: DC Fast Charging
In ideal conditions, with the DC fast charger, you can get a full charge on your vehicle in as quickly as ~30 minutes (FWD) or ~60 minutes (AWD). Currently only available at public charging stations.
Charging Cost
Level 1 costs of charging vary due to different utility prices in different areas of the world.
Level 2 charges can range between $0.04-$0.06 per minute or from $0.39 to $0.79 per kWh in permitted states.
Level 3 charging averages around $0.28 per kWh to use Superchargers in areas where authorized. Where per-minute rates are mandated, it’s at $0.26 while cars are charging at or below 60 kW and $0.13 while cars are charging above 60 kW. As with all types of chargers, rates will vary by geographical location and can change periodically. Battery performance will be dependent on the vehicle model and type of charger used.
Warranty
ToyotaCare is included. This means a no-cost maintenance plan that covers factory scheduled service for 25,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, and extended Roadside Assistance for 3 years.
Toyota’s Vision and Commitment to the Future
The world has been going through a transformation over the last decade. We are experiencing a massive shift in the auto industry. Companies are starting to take the environment and sustainability into cognizance. As a noticeable sign, most companies have made some commitments to reduce their impact on the environment.
For example, Ford has announced that it will make more than 4 million hybrid and electric vehicles by 2025. This includes hybrids, plug-ins, and battery-electric vehicles. They are also committed to increasing the use of alternative energy to power their factories. This means that they will be making fewer emissions.
Toyota is doing its part with its dedication to the future environmental goal. This goal is to reduce waste’s harmful impact on the earth’s nonrenewable resources. They have aptly named this effort the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.
The goals are organized by water, carbon, materials, and biodiversity. This list is the most prominent force that Toyota believes is impacting climate change.
It is a significant change. It will take some time and innovation for the industry to come to terms with the change, but the pace is steeply on the rise. We’re already seeing a shift in the auto industry with self-driving cars, hydrogen fuel cells, and fully electric engines.
Final Thoughts
While you won’t see hovering vehicles on the streets anytime soon, you will see other impressive feats of mobility technology. The future of the car industry is going to be quite a bit different from what it is today. There are many new innovations in the works and many other technologies to look out for.
Our planet’s and bodies’ health will significantly improve if we continue speeding down the green path. And Toyota’s Electric SUV bZ4X is proof that we are heading in the said direction.
