Toyota’s luxury Lexus brand plans battery EV launch in 2020

Toyota Motor’s Lexus will introduce its first all-battery electric vehicle in 2020, as the luxury brand races to market a battery-operated car amid increasing competition to develop zero-emissions vehicles, the head of the brand stated on Wednesday.

At the unveiling of a concept model of a futuristic EV hatchback prior to the Tokyo Motor Show, he added that the goal is for sales of Lexus electric vehicles, consisting of battery electrics and gasoline hybrids, to outpace purchases of the luxury brand’s gasoline vehicle models by 2025.

The Lexus model is going to be Toyota’s first full-sized, battery operated passenger car as the Japanese automaker catches up with competitors such as Nissan Motor and Tesla Inc, which have marketed battery EVs for years.

“Initially, we will release products in China, North America, and other regions where demand for ‘pure’ EVs is high,” Lexus International President Yoshihiro Sawa informed reporters, adding that the brand would declare information about the upcoming model next month.

Global automakers are expanding their vehicle offerings to include more electrified models to abide by tightening global emissions regulations, but demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles has been increasing slowly due to their high price.