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

Posted by Kevin on September 27th, 2018

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
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Comments
L
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.

S
Levi
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.
Mirai is more of a concept vehicle than an actual production vehicle. In fact, 'mass production' of the Mirai wouldn't happen if not for Japanese government's generous subsidies.

When you are designing a completely new concept, the first thing you are concerned with is making it work. Optimization is an afterthought. The 'engine bay' of the Mirai actually just contains the air intake/radiator, the power electronics, and the traction motor. They seem to take up a lot of space but not really (think about a Prius Prime minus the ICE). The FC stack (along with the hydrogen pump) is just that little box beneath the front seat. In the rear it's mostly the hydrogen tank and the battery pack. Optimizing the layout wouldn't be Toyota's biggest concern at this moment, seeing how they are still using a huge, heavy, and inefficient NiMH battery for energy recovery. They are not trying to innovate everything here: most of the focus is on making the FC stack work.

One thing that they definitely cannot optimize in the near future is the tank, which is really FCV's biggest obstacle. They need some solid-state hydrogen-capturing material to have that problem solved. A similar problem exists for BEVs; they need their own materials breakthrough as well.

BTW, the front of a BEV will be just as cramped if the traction motor is placed in the front. Teslas could have the 'frunk' because they are primarily RWD. The problem with both BEV and FCEV is that the battery/FC cannot be used as part of the crash structure like an ICE (a big chunk of metal). You always need something in the front to absorb the energy during a crash, so having the power electronics and motors there is a good solution. A 'frunk' wouldn't work on a subcompact or compact car.
S
Levi
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.
Mirai is more of a concept vehicle than an actual production vehicle. In fact, 'mass production' of the Mirai wouldn't happen if not for Japanese government's generous subsidies.

When you are designing a completely new concept, the first thing you are concerned with is making it work. Optimization is an afterthought. The 'engine bay' of the Mirai actually just contains the air intake/radiator, the power electronics, and the traction motor. They seem to take up a lot of space but not really (think about a Prius Prime minus the ICE). The FC stack (along with the hydrogen pump) is just that little box beneath the front seat. In the rear it's mostly the hydrogen tank and the battery pack. Optimizing the layout wouldn't be Toyota's biggest concern at this moment, seeing how they are still using a huge, heavy, and inefficient NiMH battery for energy recovery. They are not trying to innovate everything here: most of the focus is on making the FC stack work.

One thing that they definitely cannot optimize in the near future is the tank, which is really FCV's biggest obstacle. They need some solid-state hydrogen-capturing material to have that problem solved. A similar problem exists for BEVs; they need their own materials breakthrough as well.

BTW, the front of a BEV will be just as cramped if the traction motor is placed in the front. Teslas could have the 'frunk' because they are primarily RWD. The problem with both BEV and FCEV is that the battery/FC cannot be used as part of the crash structure like an ICE (a big chunk of metal). You always need something in the front to absorb the energy during a crash, so having the power electronics and motors there is a good solution. A 'frunk' wouldn't work on a subcompact or compact car.
maiaramdan
Guys again you think only on the car but not on the society as all

Even in Europe and NA we can still see some power loss in some areas , so how logic it is to add more load to the electric network for just charging cars

For me not logic to charge cars and lose electricity in homes
maiaramdan
Guys again you think only on the car but not on the society as all

Even in Europe and NA we can still see some power loss in some areas , so how logic it is to add more load to the electric network for just charging cars

For me not logic to charge cars and lose electricity in homes
S
maiaramdan
Guys again you think only on the car but not on the society as all

Even in Europe and NA we can still see some power loss in some areas , so how logic it is to add more load to the electric network for just charging cars

For me not logic to charge cars and lose electricity in homes
The logic is start investing on the infrastructure now so the country doesn't fall behind when the time comes. Different nations have different energy issues and thus different agenda. All EV-related policies are in essence energy policies.

As an example, China is betting on trading carbon credit (in the future) to make up for its oil deficit, which is going to get worse and worse as coal is being phased out. European nations are already switching to renewables so EVs are better than dependence on Russian pipelines. Japan and Korean are pushing Hydrogen Economy because both can benefit hugely from clathrate methane extraction. USA and Canada don't care due to easy access to both oil and renewables, so they can always jump in as they see fit.
S
maiaramdan
Guys again you think only on the car but not on the society as all

Even in Europe and NA we can still see some power loss in some areas , so how logic it is to add more load to the electric network for just charging cars

For me not logic to charge cars and lose electricity in homes
The logic is start investing on the infrastructure now so the country doesn't fall behind when the time comes. Different nations have different energy issues and thus different agenda. All EV-related policies are in essence energy policies.

As an example, China is betting on trading carbon credit (in the future) to make up for its oil deficit, which is going to get worse and worse as coal is being phased out. European nations are already switching to renewables so EVs are better than dependence on Russian pipelines. Japan and Korean are pushing Hydrogen Economy because both can benefit hugely from clathrate methane extraction. USA and Canada don't care due to easy access to both oil and renewables, so they can always jump in as they see fit.
maiaramdan
@ssun30
Agree with you but I don't think it is this easy anyway , hope really to have something international maybe like UN on rearranging the power sources to most countries across the globe
maiaramdan
@ssun30
Agree with you but I don't think it is this easy anyway , hope really to have something international maybe like UN on rearranging the power sources to most countries across the globe
krew
First Full-Electric Lexus to be Next-Generation CT Hatchback?

[​IMG]

Could the hatchback make a comeback?
View the original article post
krew
First Full-Electric Lexus to be Next-Generation CT Hatchback?

[​IMG]

Could the hatchback make a comeback?
View the original article post
A
If true, this would be a great opportunity to drive the rear wheels and plan for a future CT F.
A
If true, this would be a great opportunity to drive the rear wheels and plan for a future CT F.
PeterF
Tesla has yet to show that it can actually produce the vehicles it promises>many have ordered, but still wait for delivery. Other companies with far better production resources will overtake Tesla. I am convinced that TMC will meet and exceed the challenge.
PeterF
Tesla has yet to show that it can actually produce the vehicles it promises>many have ordered, but still wait for delivery. Other companies with far better production resources will overtake Tesla. I am convinced that TMC will meet and exceed the challenge.
zeusus
PeterF
Tesla has yet to show that it can actually produce the vehicles it promises>many have ordered, but still wait for delivery. Other companies with far better production resources will overtake Tesla. I am convinced that TMC will meet and exceed the challenge.
Agreed, Tesla is too busy creating new cool PR stunt products and making promises on delivery dates but never actually delivering.

Their autopilot tech is very cool but IMO thats about the only thing they have going for them. If they lost their tax credits, it'd be over.
zeusus
PeterF
Tesla has yet to show that it can actually produce the vehicles it promises>many have ordered, but still wait for delivery. Other companies with far better production resources will overtake Tesla. I am convinced that TMC will meet and exceed the challenge.
Agreed, Tesla is too busy creating new cool PR stunt products and making promises on delivery dates but never actually delivering.

Their autopilot tech is very cool but IMO thats about the only thing they have going for them. If they lost their tax credits, it'd be over.
zeusus
PeterF
Tesla has yet to show that it can actually produce the vehicles it promises>many have ordered, but still wait for delivery. Other companies with far better production resources will overtake Tesla. I am convinced that TMC will meet and exceed the challenge.
Agreed, Tesla is too busy creating new cool PR stunt products and making promises on delivery dates but never actually delivering.

Their autopilot tech is very cool but IMO thats about the only thing they have going for them. If they lost their tax credits, it'd be over.
LexusTechSA
That would be awesome
LexusTechSA
That would be awesome
LexusTechSA
That would be awesome
Trexus
Yes it would be awesome to bring the CT back to the North America with an electric version. Lexus should have kept the current CT with the new 2018 model refresh. We still would have to wait a year and 8 months (fall of 2019 for 2020 MY). Increase the length and width by an inch. Also please put cupholders in the back seat and expand the CT line.

CT 200e
CT 200h
CT 300h
CT 300 (FKA 200t)
Trexus
Yes it would be awesome to bring the CT back to the North America with an electric version. Lexus should have kept the current CT with the new 2018 model refresh. We still would have to wait a year and 8 months (fall of 2019 for 2020 MY). Increase the length and width by an inch. Also please put cupholders in the back seat and expand the CT line.

CT 200e
CT 200h
CT 300h
CT 300 (FKA 200t)
Trexus
Yes it would be awesome to bring the CT back to the North America with an electric version. Lexus should have kept the current CT with the new 2018 model refresh. We still would have to wait a year and 8 months (fall of 2019 for 2020 MY). Increase the length and width by an inch. Also please put cupholders in the back seat and expand the CT line.

CT 200e
CT 200h
CT 300h
CT 300 (FKA 200t)
krew
Trexus
Lexus should have kept the current CT with the new 2018 model refresh. We still would have to wait a year and 8 months (fall of 2019 for 2020 MY).
I wonder if North America will get the CT back -- any electric drivetrain that works in the CT should also work in the UX crossover. It's a while away, guess it will depend on the current market.
krew
Trexus
Lexus should have kept the current CT with the new 2018 model refresh. We still would have to wait a year and 8 months (fall of 2019 for 2020 MY).
I wonder if North America will get the CT back -- any electric drivetrain that works in the CT should also work in the UX crossover. It's a while away, guess it will depend on the current market.
krew
Trexus
Lexus should have kept the current CT with the new 2018 model refresh. We still would have to wait a year and 8 months (fall of 2019 for 2020 MY).
I wonder if North America will get the CT back -- any electric drivetrain that works in the CT should also work in the UX crossover. It's a while away, guess it will depend on the current market.
Trexus
krew
I wonder if North America will get the CT back -- any electric drivetrain that works in the CT should also work in the UX crossover. It's a while away, guess it will depend on the current market.
I'm curious how Lexus will bring in electric vehicles into the line up. Will Lexus introduce completely new models or take existing models and add electric variants? Obviously it would be cost efficient to take an existing model such as the CT 200h and put in an electric motor with solid state batteries and call it day.

CT 200h - CT 200e
HS 250h - HS 250e
IS 300h - IS 300e
ES 300h - ES 300e
GS 300h - GS 300e
GS 450h - GS 450e (more powerful electric version)
LS 500h - LS 500e

RC 300h - RC 300e
LC 500h - LC 500e

UX 200h - UX 200e
NX 300h - NX 300e
RX 450h - RX 450e
Trexus
krew
I wonder if North America will get the CT back -- any electric drivetrain that works in the CT should also work in the UX crossover. It's a while away, guess it will depend on the current market.
I'm curious how Lexus will bring in electric vehicles into the line up. Will Lexus introduce completely new models or take existing models and add electric variants? Obviously it would be cost efficient to take an existing model such as the CT 200h and put in an electric motor with solid state batteries and call it day.

CT 200h - CT 200e
HS 250h - HS 250e
IS 300h - IS 300e
ES 300h - ES 300e
GS 300h - GS 300e
GS 450h - GS 450e (more powerful electric version)
LS 500h - LS 500e

RC 300h - RC 300e
LC 500h - LC 500e

UX 200h - UX 200e
NX 300h - NX 300e
RX 450h - RX 450e
Trexus
krew
I wonder if North America will get the CT back -- any electric drivetrain that works in the CT should also work in the UX crossover. It's a while away, guess it will depend on the current market.
I'm curious how Lexus will bring in electric vehicles into the line up. Will Lexus introduce completely new models or take existing models and add electric variants? Obviously it would be cost efficient to take an existing model such as the CT 200h and put in an electric motor with solid state batteries and call it day.

CT 200h - CT 200e
HS 250h - HS 250e
IS 300h - IS 300e
ES 300h - ES 300e
GS 300h - GS 300e
GS 450h - GS 450e (more powerful electric version)
LS 500h - LS 500e

RC 300h - RC 300e
LC 500h - LC 500e

UX 200h - UX 200e
NX 300h - NX 300e
RX 450h - RX 450e

T