Toyota to launch extended-range EVs in China next year

The range of electrified vehicles offered by Toyota will reportedly grow to encompass another drivetrain type: extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).

According to Nikkei, Toyota plans to launch its first EREV in China in April 2027. The automaker plans to make 200,000 EREVs in 2027, with the number doubling to 400,000 in 2028.

If Toyota is able to meet its sales target, EREVs could eclipse pure EVs and plug-in hybrids in the company's global sales mix. In 2025 Toyota sold roughly 200,000 EVs, 180,000 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and 180,000 mild-hybrids.

Even if its EREV target is met they will be a small percentage of Toyota's overall sales. Out of the 10.5 million cars sold by Toyota and Lexus last year, 4.4 million or 42 per cent had hybrid drivetrains. 

In an EREV, the electric motor or motors are solely responsible for driving the wheels, with the petrol engine only switched on to help top-up the battery when it begins running low.

In a PHEV, both the petrol engine and electric motors can drive the wheels, either separately or together, depending on the situation. Typically, EREVs have larger batteries and a longer EV-only driving range.

Aside from the bZ4X that's also available in Australia, Europe and the US, Toyota China's EV lineup largely consists of models that have been developed specifically for that market.

This includes the bZ3 and bZ5, both which ride on the bZ4X's e-TNGA platform and utilise BYD's Blade batteries. There's also the bZ3X and bZ7 (top) that are based on architectures supplied by production partner GAC.

It's unclear whether Toyota's first EREV will be based on one of these cars, or whether it will be something new. There's no word yet on whether Toyota plans to sell EREVs outside of China.

Toyota is not the only foreign manufacturer jumping into the EREV game, with Volkswagen, Nissan and Mazda already offering, or about to offer, EREVs in China.

According to data compiled by CnEVPost EVs, EREVs and PHEVe (collectively known as new energy vehicles or NEV) accounted for 65.2 per cent of the Chinese auto market in August, with the vast majority (around 698,000 vehicles) being pure EVs. 

EREVs only made up 8.06 per cent of the NEV sales in August, down from 9.08 per cent the year before. 

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