Toyota is considering expanding its U.S. truck lineup to include electric and plug-in hybrid versions of its Tacoma and Tundra pickups. Jack Hollis, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America, mentioned that the company is assessing customer demand and federal regulations to determine the best course of action. They are exploring options for both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Earlier this year, Toyota announced a $1.3 billion investment in a Kentucky plant to produce a new all-electric SUV for the U.S. market. The company’s Thailand president also confirmed plans to produce a battery-electric version of their small Hilux pickup for global markets.
While there are currently no plug-in hybrid electric pickups available in the U.S., Toyota is evaluating the potential for both BEV and PHEV versions of the Tacoma and Tundra. They are considering the best mix of these options for their trucks and SUVs like the 4Runner and Sequoia.
Toyota’s decision to explore electric and hybrid options comes as automakers reassess their product portfolios in response to slower EV adoption and updated emissions regulations. Other automakers, like Hyundai, are also reevaluating their plans to produce exclusively all-electric vehicles based on market demand and regulatory requirements.
Toyota is considering expanding its U.S. truck lineup to include all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric versions of its Tacoma and Tundra pickups. The company is assessing customer demand and tightening federal emissions and fuel economy regulations to determine the best options for its lineup. Toyota has previously discussed a lineup of battery-electric vehicles, including a midsize pickup model like the Tacoma, and is now considering plug-in hybrid vehicles as well. The company recently announced a $1.3 billion investment in a Kentucky plant to produce a new all-electric SUV for the U.S. market. Toyota is also looking into producing a BEV version of its Hilux pickup for global markets. While there are currently five all-electric pickup trucks on sale in the U.S., they are priced more as luxury vehicles and have seen slow sales. Toyota is one of several automakers reevaluating its product portfolio in response to slower EV adoption and revised emissions rules from the Biden administration. Other automakers, like Hyundai, are also adjusting their plans in response to market demand and regulatory requirements.
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