The bZ4X’s front fascia gets a mostly smooth look, telegraphing that the vehicle lacks an internal-combustion engine. Toyota calls the wraparound front hood a “hammerhead shark” look.
A charging port flap is positioned behind the front wheel. Blacked-out, oversized wheel arch cladding lends a rugged big-footed feel to the stance, and the rear gets wraparound lighting.
Toyota’s future EVs are being developed at a new unit called the ZEV Factory, short for zero-emission vehicle. The EV architecture divides the car into modules, for the front, center, rear, battery and motor. The idea is to mix and match these building blocks into different body types.
The approach supports rear-wheel, front-wheel and all-wheel-drive layouts, as well as battery packs ranging from 50 to 100 kWh. The batteries will be mated to two types of motors, small or medium. Motor output is expected to range as high as 150 kW.
Beyond Zero is Toyota’s catchphrase for its 2050 ambition to achieve carbon neutrality and move beyond zero environmental impact to having a net positive impact on the ecosphere and society.
Aside from the seven bZ models planned before 2025, which includes the bZ4X, Toyota Motor Corp. plans two other electric vehicles, coming from its premium brand Lexus.
Toyota expects its global deliveries of electrified vehicles to quadruple to 8 million by 2030, from 1.96 million in 2020. About 2 million of the target figure will be zero-emission vehicles — hydrogen fuel cells and battery-electrics — though full-electric vehicles should account for the lion’s share.
