On the heels of some controversial comments from Toyota president, Akio Toyoda, the automaker has announced the diminutive C+pod for Japan. Apparently Toyoda’s remarks regarding the hype of EVs hasn’t stopped the automaker from pursuing EV development and production.
The new two-seater EV will initially be available for corporate and local government fleets during its limited launch. However, Toyota intends to offer it as a consumer vehicle by 2022.
The electric C+pod will have a WLTP range of 93 miles using its 9.1-kWh battery pack. It will come equipped with a single 12-horsepower electric motor that gives it a top speed of just 37 mph.
Toyota is aiming to expand partnerships in mobility and electrification using the new C+pod as a go-to vehicle for car-sharing programs. The automaker is also launching Toyota Green Charge with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co. The goal is to create a single point of contact for corporations to add electric charging infrastructures.
This all falls in line with Toyota’s plans to introduce 60 new electrified vehicles by 2025, which include EV, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. The automaker slid recently announced its plans to introduce a solid-state battery by 2025 regardless of the difference in opinion from the automakers president.