Toyota to build first extended range EV in China

Toyota plans to begin producing its first extended-range electric vehicle in China in April 2027, according to a report from Nikkei, marking the Japanese automaker's entry into a drivetrain category that has gained traction in the world's largest electric vehicle market. Under the reported plan, Toyota would build about 200,000 EREVs in 2027 and roughly 400,000 units in 2028. One account noted that initial output could be only a few hundred vehicles per month before ramping up. If the targets are met, EREVs could eclipse pure EVs and plug-in hybrids in Toyota's global sales mix, though they would still represent a small share of the company's overall volume. Toyota and Lexus sold about 10.5 million cars last year, of which 4.4 million, or 42 percent, had hybrid drivetrains. In an EREV, electric motors solely drive the wheels, with a petrol engine switching on only to recharge the battery when it runs low. The configuration typically allows for larger batteries and longer electric-only range compared with plug-in hybrids, in which both the engine and electric motors can drive the wheels. The model's identity has not been disclosed.