Toyota Has The Latest BEV Division, Can You Beat Tesla?

Toyota BEV car ranks. (Doc. Global Toyota)

JAKARTA - Recognizing the increasing interest in the current electric vehicle (EV) segment, automotive manufacturers must implement the right strategy to increase the attractiveness of their EV products and meet the carbon neutrality goals. Toyota, as one of the manufacturers facing stiff competition in the EV industry, has formed a new division focused on EVs, namely the BEV Factory.

BEV Factory is a center for development, production and business management for the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model with the aim of accelerating the electric vehicle manufacturing process. The next generation of BEV cars produced by this division is expected to be launched in 2026, with a sales target of 1.7 million units out of a total of 3.5 million units planned by Toyota for sale by 2030.

To expand and accelerate EV production, Toyota is also investing in building battery factories and planning BEV production in the United States by 2025. This is important considering that the US is the host of Tesla's leading EV manufacturer.

Of course, the question arises whether Toyota can outperform Tesla, especially as Toyota lags behind EV development. However, Takero Kato, Head of the BEV Factory division, expressed optimism for the BEV. He expressed his desire to create a vehicle with a distance equivalent to a hybrid vehicle. In addition, Toyota has ambitious plans to create a BEV with a distance of more than 1,000 km by 2028.

"We want to change the structure of our vehicles and shorten half of our production line length, reduce or eliminate heavy physical work, maintain manufacturing traditions in Japan, and create a fun work environment for an aging population," Kato said as quoted by Toyota Times, Tuesday, July 4.

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota, responded to Kato's comments saying that Toyota is committed to building several vehicle models and hopes to assemble the supposed BEV.

"I don't know if we can beat Tesla. However, cars made by engineers who love their jobs will move people's hearts. We hope you're looking forward to the BEV we made," Toyoda said.

Towards the end of the decade, Toyota has ambitious plans to launch a solid-state battery ready for sale by 2027 or 2028. This solid-state battery is expected to provide a 20% increase in cruising power compared to the current Performa battery, reaching a distance of about 1,200 km.

The battery also allows charging from 10% to 80% in about 10 minutes, approaching vehicle refueling speeds with an internal combustion engine.

In addition, Toyota is also developing a solid-state battery with higher specifications, which can provide a range of up to 50% further than the current Performa battery, which is about 1,500 km.