Toyota Accelerates EV Rollout

Toyota plans to launch six battery-electric vehicles over a six-year time period starting in 2020 in response to increasing global demand, company executives said during a June 7 media briefing in Japan.

The lineup includes a compact crossover Toyota will jointly develop with Subaru. The platform, which will be known as e-TGNA, will be shared with the other five vehicles. Toyota has been adding its TNGA modular architecture throughout its gas- and hybrid-powered lineup. The e-TGNA platform will include an eletric motor in the front or rear, depending on the drivetrain's bias, or in both locations for all-wheel drive.

The other models will include a small car co-developed with Suzuki and Daihatsu, another small crossover, a compact sedan, a minivan, and a midsize SUV.

As part of its initiative, Toyota will also be developing minicars like the three-wheeled i-Road and a Smart-like hatchback.

Toyota will begin rolling out the cars in China, the U.S., and Europe in 2020.