Dont tell Akio! Toyota’s launched an EV called C+pod
Just days after Toyota global boss Akio Toyoda was openly critical of the transition to electric vehicles what does the world’s biggest car company go and do?
Launch an electric vehicle.
Mind you, the C+pod isn’t the sort of EV that’s going to be showing up in Australia any time soon, joining a list of cool and quirky EVs not sold here.
It’s also not the battery electric SUV that’s been promised by Toyota in early 2021 to kick off the BZ sub-brand and it definitely doesn’t feature solid state batteries, which will also be shown off this year.
It’s a tiny two-seater built to suit Japanese Kei car (or mini-car) regulations and expressly designed for urban mobility.
The C+pod was previewed by 2019’s Ultra-Compact BEV concept and originally intended to debut at the since-postponed Tokyo Olympics.
Not only is it modest in size at 2.49m long and 1.29m wide, the C+pod is also modest in performance.
Its 9.06kWh lithium-ion battery feeds a 9.2kW permanent magnet motor mounted on the rear axle that propels the C+pod to a top speed of 60km/h and a maximum range between recharges of 150km.
This rating is based on the WLTC Class 1 test, which does not include highway driving.
The C+pod can recharge in five hours using a 200V/16A outlet. It also includes an external power supply system of up to 1500W (100 VAC) as standard for use during power outages and natural disasters.
Launch pricing in Japan starts at 1.65 million Yen ($20,750), although for now Toyota says the C+pod is only for sale to corporate users, local governments and “other organisations that have been exploring new options to drive the popularisation of BEVs”.
It does intend to offer the C+pod to private buyers by 2022 and also promises “the establishment of systems for popularising BEVs, including development of new business models”.
These include an electric vehicle sharing service that combines tourist information with the Toyota Share car-sharing service to promote sightseeing and excursions.
The C+pod weighs in at as little as 670kg, a pretty efficient number aided by plastic exterior panels. It comes with a suite of driver assist safety systems, independent front and torsion beam rear suspension and a disc/drum braking combination.
