Toyota Announces FT-Me; Company Launches $20k EV in China, C-HR+EV in Europe

Toyota has been making some big EV moves around the world in March. The company has been known as an EV laggard, drawing intense criticism from EV advocates. However, it’s FT-Me and C-HR+EV announcements for Europe and its release of a $20,000 smart electric car in China are making positive headlines. In China, Toyota began taking orders for its latest – and much cheaper – model,  the bZ3x, (known locally as the Bozhi 3X), aiming to attract buyers with its advanced features similar to Chinese rivals, as the automaker ups efforts to regain share in the world’s largest auto market.

Toyota Unveils the FT-Me: A Vision for All-Electric Micromobility for Europe

On March 12, 2025, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) introduced a revolutionary new concept, the FT-Me, redefining the future of all-electric micromobility. Designed with the urban environment in mind, the FT-Me blends cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and accessibility into a compact yet highly functional vehicle, offering a forward-thinking solution for the challenges faced by city dwellers today.

A Vision for the Future of Urban Transport

Inspired by Toyota’s successful mobility solutions created for the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FT-Me embodies the brand’s commitment to innovating transportation for modern cities. It aims to address evolving mobility needs while remaining affordable, efficient, and adaptable to diverse urban lifestyles.

At just under 2.5 meters in length, the FT-Me is a compact two-seater that maximizes space while maintaining a minimal footprint. This sleek vehicle takes up only half a parking space, and when perpendicular parking is available, it occupies just a third of a space. Its styling is reminiscent of a jet helmet, with bold contrasting black and white bi-tones that convey both safety and a go-anywhere, lightweight attitude.

Designed for Accessibility and Versatility

The FT-Me is engineered with accessibility in mind, offering mobility for a wide range of drivers, including those with entry-level driving licenses. In some markets, the vehicle can be driven by individuals as young as 14 years old. Its versatility makes it appealing not only to younger drivers but also to professionals looking for an efficient urban commuting solution.

One of the standout features is its innovative 360-degree visibility system, which ensures that the driver maintains eye contact with other road users, enhancing both safety and maneuverability. The FT-Me can be driven using hand commands on a specially designed steering wheel, which makes it uniquely suitable for wheelchair users—no aftermarket modifications are necessary.

Beyond its physical design, the FT-Me integrates modern technology to enhance the driving experience. Advanced connectivity features allow drivers to easily sync the vehicle with smartphones for keyless entry and service access, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Sustainability at Its Core

Toyota’s commitment to sustainability is reflected throughout the FT-Me’s design. The vehicle is made from recycled materials, aiming for a 90% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional city cars. The FT-Me’s propulsion system is highly energy-efficient, consuming three times less energy per kilometer than a conventional high-capacity electric vehicle.

Additionally, the FT-Me features an innovative solar panel roof that can charge its main battery, providing an extra 20 to 30 kilometers of range daily—perfect for the average urban commute. In most cases, this solar technology eliminates the need to plug the vehicle in for charging, further contributing to its convenience and sustainability in urban settings.

Toyota’s $20,000 EV In China

Toyota has officially entered the competitive all-electric vehicle (EV) market in China with the launch of its latest model, the bZ3x, also known locally as the Bozhi 3X. The move signals that the Japanese automaker is becoming more serious about the future of electric mobility, at least in the rapidly expanding Chinese market.

A Competitive Price Point for the Chinese Market

The bZ3x is Toyota’s most affordable EV in China, with prices starting at 109,800 yuan, or roughly $15,150, making it an attractive option for consumers looking to switch to electric without breaking the bank. The version with lidar and self-driving features pushes the price up slightly, starting at 149,800 yuan (around $20,707). This price range places the bZ3x well within the reach of a wide customer base, especially in a market where consumers are increasingly seeking out new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Toyota is operating in China through a joint venture with the local GAC Group, and with over a hundred brands vying for attention in China’s NEV market, competition is fierce. As such, Toyota aims to capture a larger share of this rapidly growing segment. While the bZ3x might not break new ground in terms of range or charging speed, it impresses with its feature set, positioning itself as a strong contender in the affordable EV market.

Specs and Performance: A Practical EV for Families

The bZ3x comes in seven trims, five of which are equipped without lidar, and two with the added lidar and self-driving features. The vehicle uses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with sizes ranging between 50 and 58 kilowatt-hours depending on the variant. With the larger battery, the bZ3x offers a range of 520 kilometers (323 miles) based on China’s overly optimistic CLTC (China Light-duty Vehicle Test Cycle) testing standards.

Power output for the bZ3x is modest, with 200 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. While these numbers won’t win any performance awards, the vehicle is designed with everyday city commuting and family use in mind. It uses a 400-volt architecture, and can charge from 30% to 80% in just 24 minutes, offering a decent charging speed for urban dwellers.

A Smart, Minimalist Interior

Inside, the bZ3x boasts a minimalist and modern design, with a striking 14.7-inch center screen that runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. The vehicle’s “smart driving system” is provided by the Chinese autonomous driving startup, Momenta. This system integrates hardware such as the Nvidia Drive Orin X chip, offering up to 254 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of computing power, which enables advanced autonomous driving features.

For an EV in the $20,000 range, the sensor suite is impressively advanced. It includes one lidar, three long-range radars, 11 short-range ultrasonic radars, and 11 cameras. This comprehensive set of sensors is especially important given China’s complex traffic environment, which features more two-wheelers, narrow roads, and tricky intersections compared to markets like the U.S. The bZ3x’s sensor suite aims to provide a higher level of driver assistance, which is essential in ensuring safety and smooth driving in such a challenging landscape.

High Demand Crashed Web Servers

The bZ3x’s launch has been nothing short of remarkable. Local reports indicate that the model garnered 10,000 orders in just the first 60 minutes after its unveiling. The overwhelming demand caused Toyota’s website to crash, a clear sign that the bZ3x is resonating with Chinese consumers. This early success indicates that Toyota may have struck a chord with customers looking for an affordable and feature-packed electric SUV.

Toyota Unveils the new C-HR+ as an EV for Europe

Today, Toyota revealed its newest electric vehicle (EV), the C-HR+, a surprisingly sleek and stylish electric SUV that could change the game for those seeking an affordable electric option. With a fresh design, more range, and faster charging capabilities, the C-HR+ promises to be a formidable contender in the crowded EV market.

The Return of the C-HR—Now Fully Electric

Remember the compact Toyota C-HR? The C-HR was discontinued in the U.S. in 2022, as the automaker shifted focus to more efficient models like the Corolla Cross hybrid and its first electric SUV, the bZ4X. But now, Toyota is bringing the name back with a new electric twist—enter the C-HR+.

Unveiled at Toyota’s annual product strategy event, the C-HR+ is a major upgrade over the old gas-powered model. The electric SUV boasts a clean, modern design that’s in line with the brand’s updated aesthetics, seen on models like the Corolla, Crown, and Prius. Sleeker and more advanced, the C-HR+ is positioned below the bZ4X in Toyota’s EV lineup and is shaping up to be an exciting option for those looking for a compact, stylish, and affordable EV.

Performance and Range

The C-HR+ comes with two battery options: a 57.7 kWh battery and a larger 77 kWh battery. With these options, the C-HR+ offers an impressive WLTP range of up to 372 miles (600 km), making it a serious contender for daily driving and long road trips alike.

For performance enthusiasts, the AWD version of the C-HR+ is particularly exciting. Boasting up to 343 horsepower (252 kW), it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 5.2 seconds. That’s seriously quick for an electric SUV in this segment. On the other hand, the FWD version with the smaller 57.7 kWh battery provides a more modest 167 horsepower (123 kW), while the larger 77 kWh battery bumps it up to 224 horsepower (165 kW).

Interior and Tech Features

Inside, Toyota claims that the C-HR+ offers a “class above” experience, with an extended wheelbase creating a more spacious, open, and welcoming cabin. The SUV is equipped with a 14-inch infotainment screen, offering dedicated EV routing for a seamless driving experience. As expected from Toyota, the C-HR+ is loaded with connectivity and safety features.

The C-HR+ comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes active safety and driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive High-Beam headlights, and a Parking Support Brake. Higher trims will feature even more tech, such as Park Assist and a Panoramic View Monitor, to make parking and driving in tight spaces easier and safer.

Fast Charging and Battery Preconditioning

For those concerned about charging times, the C-HR+ will offer DC fast charging speeds of up to 150 kW, which is impressive for an EV in this price range. Toyota has also added a battery preconditioning feature to ensure better performance in various weather conditions, addressing one of the common concerns for EV owners.

Pricing and Availability

The Toyota C-HR+ will be available in select European markets later this year, with a full rollout across Europe expected by 2026. As for the U.S., it’s unclear when the C-HR+ will arrive, but if it does make its way across the Atlantic, it will likely launch sometime in 2026. Given the bZ4X’s starting price of $37,070, the smaller C-HR+ could be priced in the $30,000 range, making it an affordable electric SUV option for American buyers.

Will Toyota Step Up its EV Game in the US?

Reports from 2024 say Toyota planned to produce a three-row electric SUV in its Kentucky production facility by the end of 2025, which in October the automaker pushed back to early 2026. The company had an existing plan to put another electric SUV into production at its Indiana facility in 2026. Toyota has also cancelled a Lexus EV that was on the schedule for some time between 2024 and 2030. Toyota invested $1.3 billion in its Kentucky facility for its electrification effort in February 2024. With America’s current political chaos, unhinged tariff threats, and destructive trade wars, it’s hard for Toyota or other automakers to make significant plans for American production or sales. Business thrives on stability, and the US is very far from that right now.