Lexus UX Crossover to be Brand’s First Full-Electric Vehicle


The Lexus UX sub-compact crossover will be the first full-electric vehicle from Toyota, according to Chunichi Shimbun in Japan. Production of the UX-EV will start in 2020, with an initial run of 15,000 units built at the Toyota Motor Kyushu factory.

Chunichi Shimbun also claims that first-year sales will be limited to Japan, China, and Europe — all regions where competitors are making a concentrated push with electric vehicles and market share is most important. Earlier reports suggested the CT hatchback would be the first Lexus EV, but a global shift toward crossovers appears to have altered the brand’s strategy.

Lexus UX: First GenerationTech
Comments
C
I hate to say this, but I'm one of the people that left Lexus for Telsa. Electric powertrains are the future in terms of smoothness and luxury. If Lexus can make a successful Model S competitor, maybe I would be willing to go back, however once you drive a Model S you're understand the feeling.
Chase C.
I hate to say this, but I'm one of the people that left Lexus for Telsa. Electric powertrains are the future in terms of smoothness and luxury. If Lexus can make a successful Model S competitor, maybe I would be willing to go back, however once you drive a Model S you're understand the feeling.
I do not blame you, Lexus is always late and has nothing great to offer really. Well, the LC is there and the late LS...smh
Chase C.
I hate to say this, but I'm one of the people that left Lexus for Telsa. Electric powertrains are the future in terms of smoothness and luxury. If Lexus can make a successful Model S competitor, maybe I would be willing to go back, however once you drive a Model S you're understand the feeling.
I do not blame you, Lexus is always late and has nothing great to offer really. Well, the LC is there and the late LS...smh
I have faith in their FCEV's future.

I'm not going anywhere. If they put out items i love. LC F, IS F, CT>UX cross w AWD, GS F, ES F AWD?... I'm buying.

Duracells will be for my boring, dreadful daily commuter. #Salarymen

#PetrolPower Still PO'd about a #Diesel Tundra/Tacoma
I have faith in their FCEV's future.

I'm not going anywhere. If they put out items i love. LC F, IS F, CT>UX cross w AWD, GS F, ES F AWD?... I'm buying.

Duracells will be for my boring, dreadful daily commuter. #Salarymen

#PetrolPower Still PO'd about a #Diesel Tundra/Tacoma
Nice. At least Lexus and Toyota will not miss the next wave (BEV), which is more crucial than the previous one (horsepower wars).
Nice. At least Lexus and Toyota will not miss the next wave (BEV), which is more crucial than the previous one (horsepower wars).
I just took a 5 hour trip in Germany (well it became 10 due to weather) in the Novitec Tesla Model X. Now I've driven the Model X before but never been on a long road trip with one. I have to say I was left impressed. It was quiet, fast, smooth and the automated driving worked like a charm even in snow. Finding supercharger stations was a breeze and we ate while it charged up.

Really changed my perception a bit. Glad to see Lexus embrace this.
I just took a 5 hour trip in Germany (well it became 10 due to weather) in the Novitec Tesla Model X. Now I've driven the Model X before but never been on a long road trip with one. I have to say I was left impressed. It was quiet, fast, smooth and the automated driving worked like a charm even in snow. Finding supercharger stations was a breeze and we ate while it charged up.

Really changed my perception a bit. Glad to see Lexus embrace this.
It's highly possible that, with the exception of BOF SUVs, the next generation (post TNGA) Lexus will no longer offer any gas-only trim.

Lexus Cohen
I do not blame you, Lexus is always late and has nothing great to offer really. Well, the LC is there and the late LS...smh
In what sense do you think Lexus is 'always late' when it comes to clean vehicles, who sells the biggest number of hybrid vehicles by a wide margin? And why do you think the Department of Energy has always used the Prius as the benchmark for EV technology evaluation in the past two decades?

What many people fail to see is the sheer amount of fundamental research TMC has put into EVs through their hybrid program. All these technologies related to rotors, stators, power electronics and inverters/converters: all the subtle details that are years ahead of competition. Their only arguably weak point at present is battery technology, but not really if the bigger picture is considered.

Current generation liquid electrolyte Li-ion batteries are not sufficient for BEVs to survive. They don't have enough energy density and specific power no matter how much optimization you put into them, period. All those crazy EV concepts thrown around by various manufacturers are for hype and for that single reason only. There is no technological breakthrough that will make them competitive against ICE cars and will die instantly when incentives are removed. TMC determined it's not worth the effort to perfect an interim solution and has always looked at the long-term (i.e. solid state for 2020s and lithium-air for 2030s). It has been the biggest sponsor for electrochemistry research in Japan, and a key reason why Japan is at the forefront for battery research: American institutions don't have a similar sponsorship from Detroit so they all do biochemistry (which gives them more funds) instead. It makes sure all these advancements are available to them the moment commercialization becomes possible.

In that sense Lexus and its parent Toyota can afford to 'be late' because they don't pretend to be the first, but just get things done.
It's highly possible that, with the exception of BOF SUVs, the next generation (post TNGA) Lexus will no longer offer any gas-only trim.

Lexus Cohen
I do not blame you, Lexus is always late and has nothing great to offer really. Well, the LC is there and the late LS...smh
In what sense do you think Lexus is 'always late' when it comes to clean vehicles, who sells the biggest number of hybrid vehicles by a wide margin? And why do you think the Department of Energy has always used the Prius as the benchmark for EV technology evaluation in the past two decades?

What many people fail to see is the sheer amount of fundamental research TMC has put into EVs through their hybrid program. All these technologies related to rotors, stators, power electronics and inverters/converters: all the subtle details that are years ahead of competition. Their only arguably weak point at present is battery technology, but not really if the bigger picture is considered.

Current generation liquid electrolyte Li-ion batteries are not sufficient for BEVs to survive. They don't have enough energy density and specific power no matter how much optimization you put into them, period. All those crazy EV concepts thrown around by various manufacturers are for hype and for that single reason only. There is no technological breakthrough that will make them competitive against ICE cars and will die instantly when incentives are removed. TMC determined it's not worth the effort to perfect an interim solution and has always looked at the long-term (i.e. solid state for 2020s and lithium-air for 2030s). It has been the biggest sponsor for electrochemistry research in Japan, and a key reason why Japan is at the forefront for battery research: American institutions don't have a similar sponsorship from Detroit so they all do biochemistry (which gives them more funds) instead. It makes sure all these advancements are available to them the moment commercialization becomes possible.

In that sense Lexus and its parent Toyota can afford to 'be late' because they don't pretend to be the first, but just get things done.
I've always found interesting they've proclaimed BEV inefficient when FC technology has a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 for energy needed to make energy that ends up in your car powertrain. And then there is a loss of autonomy when it comes to powering your car, you would be still tied to gas stations instead making your own energy at home.
I've always found interesting they've proclaimed BEV inefficient when FC technology has a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 for energy needed to make energy that ends up in your car powertrain. And then there is a loss of autonomy when it comes to powering your car, you would be still tied to gas stations instead making your own energy at home.
mediumhot
I've always found interesting they've proclaimed BEV inefficient when FC technology has a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 for energy needed to make energy that ends up in your car powertrain. And then there is a loss of autonomy when it comes to powering your car, you would be still tied to gas stations instead making your own energy at home.
nobody proclaimed that BEV is inefficient, and whole point of FCEV is that a lot of electric power is wasted and thrown away currently.

That solid state battery that is changing their game is a product of billions poured into research by Toyota since 2008 or so.ž

Problem thats going to happen with Tesla next year is that there are many more established companies going to come out with product that competes with it, for a limited share of the market.
mediumhot
I've always found interesting they've proclaimed BEV inefficient when FC technology has a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 for energy needed to make energy that ends up in your car powertrain. And then there is a loss of autonomy when it comes to powering your car, you would be still tied to gas stations instead making your own energy at home.
nobody proclaimed that BEV is inefficient, and whole point of FCEV is that a lot of electric power is wasted and thrown away currently.

That solid state battery that is changing their game is a product of billions poured into research by Toyota since 2008 or so.ž

Problem thats going to happen with Tesla next year is that there are many more established companies going to come out with product that competes with it, for a limited share of the market.
Toyot
spwolf
nobody proclaimed that BEV is inefficient, and whole point of FCEV is that a lot of electric power is wasted and thrown away currently.

That solid state battery that is changing their game is a product of billions poured into research by Toyota since 2008 or so.ž

Problem thats going to happen with Tesla next year is that there are many more established companies going to come out with product that competes with it, for a limited share of the market.
What no one knows is how fast that share will increase.
Toyot
spwolf
nobody proclaimed that BEV is inefficient, and whole point of FCEV is that a lot of electric power is wasted and thrown away currently.

That solid state battery that is changing their game is a product of billions poured into research by Toyota since 2008 or so.ž

Problem thats going to happen with Tesla next year is that there are many more established companies going to come out with product that competes with it, for a limited share of the market.
What no one knows is how fast that share will increase.
I agree. I wont be surprised if Tesla gets run out of business once the more established company start making their full EV cars. They have better resources, funds and distribution channel. And we know the cars would have better qualities too. Tesla is able to price their cars the way they do because they lack competition.
I agree. I wont be surprised if Tesla gets run out of business once the more established company start making their full EV cars. They have better resources, funds and distribution channel. And we know the cars would have better qualities too. Tesla is able to price their cars the way they do because they lack competition.
bogglo
I agree. I wont be surprised if Tesla gets run out of business once the more established company start making their full EV cars. They have better resources, funds and distribution channel. And we know the cars would have better qualities too. Tesla is able to price their cars the way they do because they lack competition.
Tesla is losing money though... so they are pricing their cars too low for what it cost them. And Jaguar's I-PACE is starting deliveries in about 6 months, with their production probably already more advanced than Model E. Thats where the real competition starts hitting, and Model S and X are going to have harder time... this is at time where Tesla needs increase of sales, not competition.
bogglo
I agree. I wont be surprised if Tesla gets run out of business once the more established company start making their full EV cars. They have better resources, funds and distribution channel. And we know the cars would have better qualities too. Tesla is able to price their cars the way they do because they lack competition.
Tesla is losing money though... so they are pricing their cars too low for what it cost them. And Jaguar's I-PACE is starting deliveries in about 6 months, with their production probably already more advanced than Model E. Thats where the real competition starts hitting, and Model S and X are going to have harder time... this is at time where Tesla needs increase of sales, not competition.
Levi
Toyot


What no one knows is how fast that share will increase.
It better start growing exponentially since everyone is going to be introducing new models in next 3 years and market demand is pretty soft.

Just look at incentives needed to sell every BEV bar Tesla right now. Unless whole EU goes China and demands EV sales by some %, demand wont grow enough to absorb all these new models coming out.

Now yeah, if solid state batteries are out in next 4-5 years and they actually deliver faster charging, more density and better price...........
Levi
Toyot


What no one knows is how fast that share will increase.
It better start growing exponentially since everyone is going to be introducing new models in next 3 years and market demand is pretty soft.

Just look at incentives needed to sell every BEV bar Tesla right now. Unless whole EU goes China and demands EV sales by some %, demand wont grow enough to absorb all these new models coming out.

Now yeah, if solid state batteries are out in next 4-5 years and they actually deliver faster charging, more density and better price...........
spwolf
Tesla is losing money though... so they are pricing their cars too low for what it cost them. And Jaguar's I-PACE is starting deliveries in about 6 months, with their production probably already more advanced than Model E. Thats where the real competition starts hitting, and Model S and X are going to have harder time... this is at time where Tesla needs increase of sales, not competition.
The Jaguar I-Pace will target Tesla customers, that are not Tesla 'fans'. German buyers do not buy Jaguar due to reliability concerns.
spwolf
Tesla is losing money though... so they are pricing their cars too low for what it cost them. And Jaguar's I-PACE is starting deliveries in about 6 months, with their production probably already more advanced than Model E. Thats where the real competition starts hitting, and Model S and X are going to have harder time... this is at time where Tesla needs increase of sales, not competition.
The Jaguar I-Pace will target Tesla customers, that are not Tesla 'fans'. German buyers do not buy Jaguar due to reliability concerns.
mediumhot
I've always found interesting they've proclaimed BEV inefficient when FC technology has a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 for energy needed to make energy that ends up in your car powertrain. And then there is a loss of autonomy when it comes to powering your car, you would be still tied to gas stations instead making your own energy at home.
Never believe in any BEV vs. FCEV efficiency comparison. People ALWAYS make apples-to-oranges comparisons between these two.

In one case, some argue generation of electricity has an efficiency of at most 45%, factor in 20% charging loss, then BEV is only 36% efficient. Now the '60%' efficient FCEV is way ahead.

In another case some argue conversion of renewable energy is 80% for BEVs, while it is 30% for FCEVs. So BEV is better by a factor of two.

Neither of these cases are relevant in real world because they assume isolated cases and completely ignore the entire energy industry, i.e. missing the bigger picture. BEV power will not be fossil fuel-only, nuclear-only or solar-only, and hydrogen production will not be hydrolysis-only, steam reforming-only or solar catalysis-only, so an efficiency comparison will not be possible for either type.

One thing that we can compare, however, is cost. Unfortunately, a comparison is also irrelevant at the moment because the scale is limited, and both are hopelessly uncompetitive against oil.
mediumhot
I've always found interesting they've proclaimed BEV inefficient when FC technology has a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 for energy needed to make energy that ends up in your car powertrain. And then there is a loss of autonomy when it comes to powering your car, you would be still tied to gas stations instead making your own energy at home.
Never believe in any BEV vs. FCEV efficiency comparison. People ALWAYS make apples-to-oranges comparisons between these two.

In one case, some argue generation of electricity has an efficiency of at most 45%, factor in 20% charging loss, then BEV is only 36% efficient. Now the '60%' efficient FCEV is way ahead.

In another case some argue conversion of renewable energy is 80% for BEVs, while it is 30% for FCEVs. So BEV is better by a factor of two.

Neither of these cases are relevant in real world because they assume isolated cases and completely ignore the entire energy industry, i.e. missing the bigger picture. BEV power will not be fossil fuel-only, nuclear-only or solar-only, and hydrogen production will not be hydrolysis-only, steam reforming-only or solar catalysis-only, so an efficiency comparison will not be possible for either type.

One thing that we can compare, however, is cost. Unfortunately, a comparison is also irrelevant at the moment because the scale is limited, and both are hopelessly uncompetitive against oil.
Honestly I am skeptical on the BEV
They need a lot of extra cities power
What's great in pushing the BEV this much and still many countries and cities have electric shortage???
The FCEV on the other hand give you all what you want without putting extra load on the existing electric network
Honestly I am skeptical on the BEV
They need a lot of extra cities power
What's great in pushing the BEV this much and still many countries and cities have electric shortage???
The FCEV on the other hand give you all what you want without putting extra load on the existing electric network
maiaramdan
Honestly I am skeptical on the BEV
They need a lot of extra cities power
What's great in pushing the BEV this much and still many countries and cities have electric shortage???
The FCEV on the other hand give you all what you want without putting extra load on the existing electric network
The Mirai looks way too complex, and does not improve space compared to ICE.



More than that, the fact the tank has similar life to a battery and has to be replaced (at a cost) does not make it very appealing, ICE can use the same tank.

L