What is the minimum size a car must have to be considered as such? Toyota is pushing that limit with its latest electric vehicle. Released at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, the ultra-compact BEV (for “battery-powered electric vehicle”) is so small that it looks more like a golf cart.
The leading Japanese manufacturer explained that the two-seater was designed for drivers covering short distances, such as the elderly, recently licensed or vendors with a local customer base. The vehicle has a maximum range of 62 miles (100 kilometers) and a maximum speed of only 37.2 mph (60 km / h).
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Toyota believes there will be a large market for these small electric cars. In addition to retail customers, the firm believes that these vehicles could be used by municipalities (municipalities) as an emission-free alternative to more conventional forms of transportation.
Given that New York City traffic cops are already driving smart cars, the idea doesn’t sound so crazy. The company has partnered with approximately 100 public and private organizations with which it will explore potential uses for its latest product.
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By the time the BEV will be launched in 2020, Toyota also plans to reveal a completely new commercial model designed to increase sales of electric cars. That includes the reuse and recycling of battery packs after their original use.
The company did not mention plans to sell the ultracompact in the United States, where it would likely face regulatory problems. It is possible that the federal government does not grant it absolute approval and can only move in confined spaces.
The BEV is not the first revolutionary car that Toyota launches this season. As a worldwide partner of the International Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he announced an emission-free vehicle for Tokyo 2020. Accessible Transportation for People (APM) is intended for competitors and staff of the sports fair, as well as for any assistant with difficulties to move.
