Toyota NZ wants to offer an electrified version of every model it sells

The local arm of Toyota recently published its Sustainability Report for 2023, revealing that the brand wants to offer an electrified version of every model it currently sells in New Zealand.

This is something Chief Executive Neeraj Lala wants to see happen “as fast as possible”, not only to help decarbonise the country’s transport system, but also to meet customers’ needs in the most eco-friendly and efficient way possible, whether they require a ute, SUV, or sedan.

The brand is well on its way to achieving said goal too, considering almost three-quarters of its models come with some form of electrification.

One such model is the Corolla, which is only available in New Zealand with a hybrid drivetrain. The Highlander is also another highly popular electrified model among Kiwi customers, as well as the RAV4 which often tops monthly new car sales lists.

Earlier this year, Toyota NZ announced that it will introduce a mild-hybrid Hilux in 2024, featuring a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and a six-speed automatic gearbox hooked up to a 48V battery and an electric motor generator. It’ll be just as capable as its other stablemates too, boasting a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.

However, models like the Fortuner, Land Cruiser (300 Series), and the current generation Land Cruiser Prado are yet to be offered as hybrids, but change is on the horizon.

The next-generation Prado is due to arrive early next year and will only be offered with a hybrid drivetrain – the very same found in the hybrid Hilux. So, there’s another model ticked off the hit list.

“Serving customers and helping them transition to electrified vehicles that are affordable and accessible is at the forefront of everything we do and is what customers rely on us to help lead them into the future,” Lala says.

“The shift to focusing on electrified models – from hybrids to plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles in early 2024 – is enabling us as a brand to reduce tailpipe emissions from all vehicles we sell and meet our Clean Car Standard obligations.”

We can also look forward to the arrival of the Japanese carmaker’s first fully electric vehicle early next year, the bZ4X, which is capable of traveling up to 500km on a full charge of its 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery.

Toyota NZ’s big push towards electrification is all part of the head company’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2050, with its first milestone being a minimum 46 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030.

A full copy of the local brand’s Sustainability Report 2023 can be found here.