The company has registered six sample units of the Toyota bZ4X battery electric vehicle (BEV) – as part of Toyota’s Beyond Zero strategy - for evaluation by the company’s technical team, as well as stakeholders in the government and private sector working towards realising low carbon personal transport solutions for Malaysia. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the bZ4X is expected to launch in Malaysia later this year, with pricing speculated to be around RM250,000.
The bZ4X is available in all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. The test units in Malaysia is the front-wheel drive version with a range of 500km (WLTP). The BEV gets a 71.4kWh Li-ion battery pack and its single motor makes 204PS and 266Nm of torque. It's capable of DC charging at up to 150 kW via a CCS2 connector; AC charging at up to 6.6 kW is through a Type 2 connector.
The bZ4X interior.
Today's strategy announcement comes after January’s handover of five units of Toyota Mirai to Sarawak’s SEDC Energy and the state’s premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
The trial is part of a wider effort by Sarawak to kickstart hydrogen economy there.
Together with the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that is currently assembled at UMWT’s manufacturing subsidiary Assembly Services Sdn Bhd plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor, the bZ4X and Mirai demonstrate UMWT’s commitment to offer the best fit-for-purpose solution to the broadest segments of Malaysian customers.
As part of its engagement with key stakeholders in the transport and energy sector, UMWT’s Shah Alam office today hosted an exhibition on the company’s multi-pathway strategy towards carbon neutrality.
Apart from the bZ4X, a cut-away of the Toyota Hybrid System was also put on display, symbolising the foundation of Toyota’s leadership in HEV technology, with more than 18.1 million units sold worldwide since 1997.
To date, Toyota has sold more than 20 million electrified vehicles globally, contributing to CO2 reduction of 165 million metric tons.
Toyota said its hybrid electric cars have a long history of proven reliability on Malaysian road conditions since 2009.
The self-charging two-motor full-hybrid electric drivetrains does not depend on public charging infrastructure.
Toyota believes that HEV is the most practical and cost-effective solution for Malaysians today, promising immediate carbon reduction without compromising on long-distance driving practicality and peace-of-mind usage – values that customers expect from every Toyota model.
“Toyota has a multi-pathway strategy towards carbon neutrality and this is evident through these green powertrains, each developed to best meet the unique needs of customers in different parts of the world," said UMWT president Datuk Ravindran K.
In Toyota's worldview, hybrids like the Camry Hybrid and Corolla Cross Hybrid (below) are the way to go for now and in the immediate future.
"For Malaysia, we believe HEVs are the most suitable for Malaysians, considering the fuel source of our electricity generation and availability of charging infrastructure outside city centres in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
"We will add more HEV models in 2023.”
At the same time, Toyota recognises that BEV technology will also become a very important next piece to complete the puzzle of carbon-neutrality.
To support the creation of a BEV-friendly ecosystem, UMWT will be supporting Malaysia’s goal of achieving 4,000 electric vehicle charging points by the end of this year.
As infrastructure to support BEVs improves, UMWT will launch a BEV model in the near-term.
Toyota said that in line with its brand’s promise, it must ensure its customers enjoy peace-of-mind ownership experience, regardless of whether they own an ICE, HEV or a BEV Toyota.
Toyota sells vehicles to more than 170 countries worldwide and the needs of people around the world differ greatly, as are the availability of clean renewable energy.
Toyota said it would not abandon any customer group in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Toyota said it believes that keeping a technology-neutral, multi-pathway strategy is the best approach towards attaining carbon neutrality.
Ultimately, it is the customer, not regulations that will determine which drivetrain technology would lead people to a carbon neutral future.
“Toyota customers come from a very diverse background, not just customers living in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, but also in East Malaysia. We believe in giving choices to customers," said Ravindran.
"They will determine which green solution is best for them. We will continue to evaluate different options and introduce them as appropriate.”
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Toyota bZ4X BEV
Toyota Hybrids
