Toyota NZ enters all-electric era
Toyota is adding a future-focused badge to its product mix – the Beyond Zero range. It starts with the fully electric bZ4X, the first of which will arrive in New Zealand early next year.
The Beyond Zero premise is for human-centric vehicles that transform how we interact with our vehicles, others and society, according to the marque.
It adds the bZ series will introduce new driving experiences, technologies to connect with each other, zero-emissions performance and a “zero-harm experience” with additional safety features.
Steve Prangnell, Toyota NZ’s vice-president of new vehicles, says the aim isn’t just to create battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that eliminate emissions, but to also offer new-mobility solutions and maintain an enjoyable driving experience.
“We’re aiming to create value for people and the planet beyond zero emissions. The bZ4X SUV is the first of a range of BEVs we will launch, which will appeal to everyday New Zealanders.”
The bZ4X is similar in size to the RAV4 and will be available in two models – the front-wheel-drive Pure and all-wheel-drive Motion. Both have an underfloor lithium-ion 71.4kWh battery, which can be charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at a 150kW charging station.
Prangnell says Toyota has created a BEV that’s easy to drive. “While it is packed with technology, including our third-generation active-safety systems, it drives like any other Toyota – you don’t have to learn a new way of driving or worry about how the software works.
“Toyota is entering the global BEV market with customer experience at the forefront of our strategy and it’s the same in New Zealand. We are investing in support for customers and the bZ series with a benefits programme, specialist sales staff, technicians and chargers at all our stores.
“Toyota NZ is right behind the bZ series. It will play an important role in our science-based commitment to reduce tailpipe emissions by a minimum of 46 per cent by 2030.”
Globally, Toyota is seeing the bZ range growing in popularity as the company works towards a net-zero carbon position by 2050. Initially, numbers of the bZ4X will be limited so potential owners are being advised to sign up for updates online.
