Toyota Drastically Ramping Up BEV Production To Play Catch-Up

Toyota is looking to drastically ramp up its BEV production in the next few years. Nikkei reports the production boost, stating the Japanese marque targets to triple its production in 2025, compared to the projected output in 2024.

Toyota has taken criticisms over the past few years because it lags behind rival automakers - such as Tesla and BYD - in the EV race. It only sold 24,000 EVs in 2022, much, much less than the 150,000 EVs it's targeting this year.

This number will reportedly jump to 190,000 EVs rolling off the assembly lines in 2024, Nikkei reports, citing Toyota's notification to its major parts suppliers about the production boost. Ultimately, 600,000 vehicles with electric powertrains will be made by 2025, consisting of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Currently, Toyota only sells a handful of EVs globally. In the US, the bZ4X and its posher counterpart, the Lexus RZ, are the only dedicated BEVS in the range. That will change soon as an electric three-row SUV will be introduced, which will be sold and produced in the US.

The ambitious numbers aren't a pipe dream, mind you. Toyota has already demonstrated its latest gigapress system, which is projected to boost manufacturing times by simplifying the production process. It will also implement a different production technique that uses self-propelled production instead of conveyor belts.

Overall, Toyota is targeting a 50% reduction in production processes, plant investment, and preparation lead time, certainly helping its goal to ramp up its output.

Cutting production times isn't the only ace up Toyota's sleeve, albeit this one's further down the road. The automaker has also been championing battery technology, particularly solid-state batteries that promise faster charging times and longer range.

With its latest roadmap involving solid-state batteries, Toyota promises a 500-mile EV in 2026, which will further improve to 600 miles with 10-minute recharging in 2027. The former is expected to be shown to the world next month at the Japan Mobility Show as a Lexus EV, featuring a new modular platform and new software.